WSMV Channel 4 TSA displays items confiscated at security checkpoint

TSA displays items confiscated at security checkpoint

Travelers who have ever had anything confiscated while going through airport security know how frustrating the experience can be. But a display at Nashville International Airport shows just how common it happens.

And some of the items taken might surprise you.

The Transportation Security Administration set up the display to show all of the items they have had to confiscate from travelers in just the past five weeks.

"The items that passengers volunteer to surrender to us, the prohibited items that they cannot carry into the secure area of the airport, if they don't avail of any other options, they surrender them to us," said TSA spokesman Jon Allen.

Officials say 40 guns were collected at the Nashville airport in 2011, but they have taken many other items, such as pliers, pepper spray, hockey sticks and even a box of wine.

About every two months, all of the items that don't make it past the security checkpoint are then turned over to a government surplus agency in Alabama.

"The benefit it provides for us is that it keeps us from having to store these items long-term. If the state is then able to get something to defray their expenses, it makes it worth their effort to come collect them," Allen said.

While it is not clear how much that company makes from selling those items, officials say there is an easy way to avoid all this.

Just make sure you don't have any prohibited items on you when you travel.

If you do get caught with an item, you have the option to either take it back to your vehicle, or some airports have a service now in which they will store your belongings for a fee during your trip.

Copyright WSMV 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.