Shadow
01-06-2012, 09:14 PM
Hate hidden travel fees? Then pay attention when collecting your belongings at the airport security checkpoint.
In fiscal year 2010, travelers left $376,480.39 in loose change in the bottoms of plastic bins at the checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration. In 2009, the abandoned coins totaled more than $399,000.
“Passengers say their six pennies don’t matter,” said TSA spokesperson Nico Melendez. “But it adds up.”
Melendez said all the unclaimed pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters are turned over to the TSA finance office. After being documented and counted, the money ends up in the coffers of the TSA, which is authorized by law to spend that money as it sees fit.
But Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) wants to change what happens to that big chunk of change.
Miller has introduced legislation that would direct the TSA to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to the United Service Organizations (http://www.uso.org/) (USO), a private nonprofit that operates centers for the military at 41 U.S. airports.
in 2009, but it didn’t get much traction. Now that he’s the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, he’s trying to move the bill forward again.
“The money left behind at the airport checkpoints belongs to taxpayers,” said Miller spokesperson Dan McFaul. “The congressman feels giving it to the USO to help with onsite airport service for active members of the military would be a good use for it.”
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/06/9979819-lawmaker-targets-tsas-big-chunk-of-change
In fiscal year 2010, travelers left $376,480.39 in loose change in the bottoms of plastic bins at the checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration. In 2009, the abandoned coins totaled more than $399,000.
“Passengers say their six pennies don’t matter,” said TSA spokesperson Nico Melendez. “But it adds up.”
Melendez said all the unclaimed pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters are turned over to the TSA finance office. After being documented and counted, the money ends up in the coffers of the TSA, which is authorized by law to spend that money as it sees fit.
But Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) wants to change what happens to that big chunk of change.
Miller has introduced legislation that would direct the TSA to transfer unclaimed money recovered at airport security checkpoints to the United Service Organizations (http://www.uso.org/) (USO), a private nonprofit that operates centers for the military at 41 U.S. airports.
in 2009, but it didn’t get much traction. Now that he’s the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, he’s trying to move the bill forward again.
“The money left behind at the airport checkpoints belongs to taxpayers,” said Miller spokesperson Dan McFaul. “The congressman feels giving it to the USO to help with onsite airport service for active members of the military would be a good use for it.”
http://overheadbin.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/06/9979819-lawmaker-targets-tsas-big-chunk-of-change