Phones, Computers & Even Canes: The TSA Shows Off Its Lost And Found

LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ) -- We all know the feeling: the frantic search for something lost.

As Alex DeMetrick reports, when it comes to traveling, a lot of it gets found by the TSA.

At the TSA checkpoint at BWI-Marshall, people lose things every day.

"Laptops are surprisingly common, and cell phones.  Here's one with a big screen.  Here's a flip top.  Here's another one with a big screen.  Here's an iPhone," said Lisa Farbstein, TSA spokesperson.

And there are trays of keys, one for each day of the month.

"Licenses, IDs, credit cars, Social Security cards," said Farbstein.

Almost all the items are found left inside the bins people use at the X-ray stations.

TSA officers who find the items say there's a common reason.

"Most of the time they're in a hurry and they just forget that they took their ring or their watch off and left it in a bin," said Ron Hill, TSA officer.

But what about canes and walkers?

"It is kind of baffling.  How does someone use one of these to get to a checkpoint and suddenly didn't need it when they're leaving?" said Farbstein.

Whatever is found at a checkpoint -- regardless of value -- is stored at TSA's lost and found at the airport and kept for 30 days.

If an item has identification attached, say a business card in a laptap or a driver's license, TSA will try to contact the person.

Neil Peters reclaimed his license on his own after he discovered it missing.

"I found out I lost it when I tried to check in at the hotel and didn't have it anymore.  And I figured I must have left it at the TSA checkpoint," Peters said.

If property isn't reclaimed after 30 days, it goes to a facility in Virginia where it is eventually sold or junked.

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