TSA Makes $400K Off Loose Change
By Erika Okano and Sarah Grieco
Thursday, Jan 12, 2012
Turns out those airport security checkpoints aren't just for your safety, they are also a source of funds for the Transportation Security Administration.
Travelers left behind $409,085.56 in loose change in 2010. Not only did they ditch their pennies, dimes and quarters at the checkpoints, but they also left behind foreign currency.
Nico Melendez, spokesperson for TSA, said when people go through security checkpoints they typically leave behind the change from their pockets in the plastic bins.
“TSA puts (the leftover money)in a jar at security checkpoint, at the end of each shift they take it, count it, put it in an envelope and send it to the finance office," he said.
So it's not a free-for-all for TSA officers?
Nope, said Melendez, it all goes into the general operating budget for TSA. The money typically goes toward technology, lightbulbs or just overall general expenses...
For the full article, go to:
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SDTSA-Makes-400K-off-of-Loose-Change-137192398.html
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