a pneumatic tube carrier system includes a first carrier receiving and sending terminal and a second carrier receiving and sending terminal . a carrier is transported back and forth between the terminals through a pneumatic tube interconnecting the first and second terminals . means are operatively associated with at least one of the first and second terminals for automatically removing contents from the carrier at the at least one terminal before returning the carrier to the other terminal . a cover is held on the carrier by magnetic attraction and without hinges or latches .