There's Money To Be Had From Checkpoints

Do you want to chance to buy back that Swiss Army Knife they confiscated from you at the airport? Well, there's a good chance a wholesaler has it... or about 20,000 other knives just like it.

And what's more, they'll sell you a box of the contraband... for the right price. The Chicago Tribune discovered several states are making money off the illegal items left behind at the airport.

The Transportation Security Administration is quick to point out these items are not confiscated, really, but surrendered voluntarily. That makes the items eligible for sale.

Dealers are quick to snatch up the checkpoint booty... spending almost $26,000 last year alone buying up knives, scissors, golf clubs, and other forms of illegal weapons from the state of New Hampshire. The items are then repackaged for resale.

The state of Illinois made even more -- $38,000 last year. That state is now planning to conduct online auctions to clear even more revenue for state coffers.

The idea isn't a new one -- as Aero-News reported in February, state surplus offices in Pennsylvania and Kentucky have launched similar efforts, with similar fiscal benefits.

The lesson here seems to be... keep the banned items at home. And if you wish to contribute additional funds to your respective state government, well, vote in favor of the next bond issue. Or chip in a few extra bucks on your state income tax return.

FMI: www.tsa.gov