Sheldon,
Don't put them in a suitcase. We flew home from Vegas last Wednesday, and there were signs posted to leave your luggage unlocked . I don't know if that was just Southwest, or if it was McCarran that ordered that. (We requested to stay with the luggage while they screened it, so were able to leave it locked). If they hadn't let us stay while they screened it, it would have remained unlocked from Vegas to Chicago . We didn't have many collectibles in them, and the locks are standard "any suitcase key will work", but still didn't like the thought of leaving them unlocked.

When we flew out of Midway, to go to Vegas, they had us take our luggage to the screener, and stay with it.

I don't know how O'Hare is handling security.

When flying home we had some chips (maybe 50-60), a few metal pins, keychains, a couple of metal ashtrays, etc. I packaged it all in baggies and put it in the plastic tray that they provide for keys, change, etc. After we passed through security, I put it in the carry-on bag. We didn't have any problem...though the screener did pull the tray aside when it came through the machine, and looked at the tray then the screen then the tray then the screen...then pushed it down the conveyer rollers.

If I wanted to carry 100's of chips, I'd consider getting clear bags to carry them in. Not baggies, but cosmetic bags or "purses"...something like that. Have the chips in their holders, or even in the pages (if you can find the right size bag), but have them visible . After you get through security you can place them in your normal carry on.

Hope this helps, and have a great time!
Pam