Originally Posted by Screeners Central

"The Transportation Security Administration doesn't 'confiscate' items at checkpoints, spokeswoman Yolanda Clark said. Rather, they are 'surrendered,' she said."

"Millions of 'voluntarily abandoned' items are left at checkpoints during the year, she said. The agency follows U.S. General Services Administration regulations in disposing of voluntarily abandoned property, she said."

"At some airports, the items are turned over to lost and found departments and then discarded after a certain period of time. At others, the state agency collects the items and distributes or disposes of them according to state regulations."

Source: Q & A: Confiscated Items, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune (1/6/05)