Ads to Appear in Security Checkpoint Bins Nationwide

Next time you take off your shoes and jacket and place them in a bin at an airport security checkpoint, you might see an advertisement staring up at you. The Transportation Security Administration has given the go-ahead to allow airports across the nation to sell advertising space in the bottoms of security checkpoint bins

If you’ve been traveling during the past year you may have already seen ads in the bottom of security checkpoint plastic bins.

Fourteen airports were participants in the Divestiture Bin Pilot Program, which allowed vendors to advertise in bins at security checkpoints. Now the program is expanding to be nationwide.

According to the TSA, the program is geared towards upgrading the equipment used at airport checkpoints. As payment for the advertising space, advertisers purchase the plastic bins, steel tables and carts for screeners that are used at checkpoints.

The carts are said to have helped to improve working conditions for TSA employees so they no longer have to carry stacks of bins, reducing work-related injuries.

So far, the online shoe retailer Zappos.com has purchased most of the ads.

The hundreds of people who pass through airport security each day will be exposed to the ads. Any airport that is considering selling ads much first receive approval from a local TSA director.

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