Loose change at US airports may benefit military

[WASHINGTON] A quarter here, a penny there and pretty soon all the loose change left in plastic bins at Transportation Security Administration airport checkpoints adds up to real money - about US$531,000 in fiscal 2012.

The coins not claimed by passengers are supposed to pay for aviation security, though only about US$6,500 has been spent as at March 1, according to a House committee report. Rather than sitting unused, lawmakers say they'd rather it go for high-definition televisions and free snacks for veterans at airport lounges.

"Travellers' lost change is unappropriated dollars that should be put to good use," Florida Republican Jeff Miller said at a House Homeland Security Committee meeting in October.