MORE THAN 20 CARS AND TRUCKS WILL BE AUCTIONED THIS SATURDAY DURING THE ANNUAL PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT EVENT. | PHOTO BY BETH HOLLERICH/COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

It may not come as a surprise, but of the 8 million passengers flying through Pittsburgh International Airport every year, thousands of them mistakenly leave behind some belongings. These range from as tiny as rings to as large as abandoned cars in the parking lot. 

For the 12th year, the airport is hosting an auction on Oct. 7 to sell these unclaimed items. 

According to information released by Blue Sky News on Oct. 2, a list of updated vehicles available at this year’s auction include more than 20 cars and trucks.

Some vehicles in this year’s lineup include: a 2016 Ford Explorer, a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, a 2005 Kia Sportage, a 2002 Buick Century, four high-mileage Ford SUVs from the airport’s fleet, a 2006 Chevrolet crew cab pickup, a 2007 Express van, a 2005 Toyota Avalon and a 2016 Mazda CX5 crossover SUV.

Among the more unusual items available at this year’s auction is a pair of python-skin cowboy boots, originally valued at a few hundred dollars. The shoes were discovered during this year’s “Big Sort,” a two-day event at which employees with the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates the airport, and volunteers go through boxes and boxes of lost items. While some of the items will be available at the auction, others such as most of the clothing and prescription eyeglasses were donated to local nonprofit organizations. 

PHOTOS COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Attendees can expect to see designer items, including a Burberry coat and Marc Jacobs and Telfar bags. You can bid on more than 150 electronics, 200 pieces of jewelry and a host of other miscellaneous items. 

More than 800 people attended the 2022 auction, where bidders bought more than 8,000 items. In the past, the auction has sold items such as Nintendo Switches, AirPods, Beats headphones, Fitbits, MacBooks, designer sunglasses, gold jewelry and iPhones. More personal items included coats, suitcases, a yamaha flute, dolls and stuffed toys, walking sticks and canes, baby strollers and booster seats. Perhaps the strangest past finds have been an alligator head and a toilet seat. Last year, a couple even reunited with their missing mandolin before the auction took place. 

Proceeds from the auction go toward the Allegheny County Airport Authority Charitable Foundation. The money the foundation raises will help improve travelers’ experiences in the airport by enhancing terminals and beautifying spaces with artwork. The foundation also funds post-secondary aviation scholarships and prioritizes the comfort of active service members and veterans in airports, along with other community needs. In 2022, the auction raked in more than $75,000.

If you’re feeling lucky, stop by and see what you can find at this year’s auction on Saturday, Oct. 7, located at the Heavy Equipment Building on Cargo Road by the airport. Doors open at 8:30 a.m., and licensed auctioneer Joe R. Pyle will start the bidding at 10 a.m. There will be food trucks on site.

According to Blue Sky News, the airport’s news service, “For bidders, there will be a 15% buyer’s premium with 5% waived for cash or check purchase. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. Payment, inclusive of any taxes and fees, must be made in full at the auction.”