Why are TSA bins numbered at SNA?
 

Going through security at SNA this morning, I noticed that every plastic bin at security (complete with Zappos ads) was individually numbered (C32, D47, etc). The numbers were printed on large stickers, so the TSA evidently went to some expense to do that...and I can't imagine why. Seems like more government waste.

It is part of the TSA literacy program, last year they worked on shapes and colors, this year they are working on numbers and letters.

The mind is a terrible thing.

Noticed that for the first time today at T-4, LAX. Just kinda ignored it.

Maybe its for inventory, or maybe some of the employees have been taking them home for kitty litter.

Hopefully it is there so they can rotate and wash them.

Inventory control?

Continuing education?

It's for security tray bingo. If you watch carefully, you'll notice the TSO's furtively checking off the squares on their cards. Every so often, one of them will shout "FEMALE ASSIST" which is really just a code word for "FULL HOUSE". (You'll notice a few high fives when that happens).
Games can take quite a long time to complete, because trays tend to go around on the same belt most of the time - meaning that TSOs have to wait to get transfered to a different lane before they can collect all the numbers they need. If you want to do the TSO's a favor, you could shuffle the trays around a little - carry a few from one lane to the start of a different lane. You're sure to be very popular.

[Never mind]

Serial numbered so folks don't take them as souvenirs.

It would be useless to do inventory on cheap items like trays. They eventually break anyways. First the cracks on the corners appear, then it starts to spread until entire corners start peeling off and getting stuck on people's sweaters.

Imagine having to be the person at the end of the day having to count all the bins to make sure they are all accounted for.

"I got groped by the TSA and all I got was this lousy litter box"

In many places outside the US (I think I last saw it in ZRH), inside the numbered tray, is a plastic sheet with the same number. You put your stuff in the tray, carry the sheet through, and turn in the sheet to get the matching tray back... helps make sure your laptop doesn't grow legs I guess.

The US forgot the other part. :rolleyes:

Why not ask the TSAer at the xray - do it each trip and see what answers you get.
Number? What 's that?
Ida no.
Do you want to fly today?
That's SSI.

I’ve got a cat that hangs around my place, and I’m sure she’d be honored to take a dump on something that came from the TSA.

It would make a great thread!

They're numbered because those bastids at concourse D keep stealing ours!