The millions of passengers who pass through Raleigh-Durham International Airport each year leave behind an array of items: jewelry, cell phones, cameras, toys, books - even cars.
Once in a while, RDU's lost-and-found gets full and the airport holds an auction. The first one in two years will happen Saturday at the RDU Maintenance Building on National Guard Drive off Aviation Parkway.
This year's auction includes 12 cars and SUVs and a motorcycle that were abandoned in airport parking lots. None of them have keys, and airport officials can't vouch for their condition.
The auction also includes four surplus cars, a pickup truck and a Bluebird bus owned by the airport. They do have keys.
Other items for sale include handbags, hats, sunglasses, video game systems, DVD players and bicycles.
Proceeds from the auction will go to cover the airport's costs, which include the unpaid parking fees for the abandoned vehicles. Any additional income will be turned over to the state, said RDU spokeswoman Mindy Hamlin.
Not all items lost or abandoned at the airport are offered at the auction. Some, including laptop computers, cell phones, clothing and baby care items such as strollers, are donated to charity.
A preview of sale items begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with the auction starting at 9 a.m. Cash, check and credit cards will be accepted, and there will be a buyer's premium on all sales collected by the auction company.
