According the Agency, the money was left behind by travelers who forgot to pick it up after inspection. While not a huge increase from the $638,143 collected last year, the new figure is a 78% increase from 2008’s figure of $383,414.
So where will these hundreds of thousands of dollars in pennies, nickels, and dimes go? In 2005, Congress gave the TSA authority to use the money found to help fund itself and its security endeavors.
According to the House Appropriations Committee, the TSA has a $4.6 billion budget in the 2015 fiscal year, a $300 million decrease from 2014.
So show a little love next time you pass through airport security, and leave that change behind. The TSA is counting on it, every nickel and dime.
