California airport sparks online frenzy with peculiar hardware auction

Oakland International Airport is giving bargain hunters a chance to live out their airport-ramp fantasies — if they have a bit of cash.

More than a dozen pint-sized electric tractors, normally used to haul luggage carts and cargo around airport runways, have hit government auction sites for around $750 apiece.

The tugs have unexpectedly become social media sensations, with users dreaming up all sorts of ways to put the quirky rides to work.

“They sell for next to nothing,” businessman Shannon Jean tweeted. “What’s the use case for making money, entrepreneur?”

The listings, which include several older models from Oakland’s airport, have sparked a frenzy of jokes from people imagining themselves cruising around their neighborhoods in the unusual vehicles.

“I’d buy one for $700 just to cruise around the neighborhood. Need a lift like 3 blocks away? I gotchu,” one Reddit user wrote.

“Someone should get one for an Austin Powers costume. Drive the kids around in it on Halloween,” another suggested.

“Finally something to tow my mother in law around,” a third joked.

“Imagine the aura of driving one of these around your neighborhood,” Colin Stroud wrote on LinkedIn.

Others fantasized about taking the bargain rides on road trips, although there’s one major catch: These things aren’t exactly built for speed.

Baggage tugs typically travel at just 4 to 15 mph, depending on the model and whether they’re electric or gas powered. That could make a cross-country adventure a painfully slow proposition.

The California Post reached out to Oakland International Airport for comment, but the sales appear to be part of a routine fleet retirement.

Government agencies and municipal airports regularly auction off aging ground-support equipment as it reaches the end of its service life. The Oakland listings appear to include 2008 models.

And the airport isn’t alone in unloading its heavy machinery.

Auction sites also feature a diesel-powered cargo loader in Indiana going for $4,500, while Boise Airport appears to be selling several baggage tractors for just $500 apiece.

One social media user even shared a potential alternative use for the machines, explaining that his family once converted a baggage tug into a snowplow for their long driveway.

“We had one we put a snow plow on to do our long driveway. Had a pretty common Ford 4cyl engine so was easy to maintain,” the user said. “That and my dad worked as an airport equipment mechanic for many years.”

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