Do these items need to go in a plastic bag for the security screening?
 

I'd like to bring on the plane with me chapstick and eyeliner. Do these items have to go into a plastic baggie or can I just place them in my purse and call it good?

Depends on the mood of the TSA agent. I am serious.

Better carry these as checked baggage!!

What if I just shove them into my pocket? Will they know they are there?

You don't need to check them, and no, don't put them in your pocket. Put it in the zip-lock, or just leave it in the carryon.

They're allowed as carryon. Only question is what's the mood of the TSA agent(s). They may tell you, next time don't put them in the ziplock, if you do. Or, they may find it inside your carryon, and tell you next time put it in the ziplock.

That's it.

"They may tell you, next time don't put them in the ziplock, if you do"

Therein lies the problem with the TSA. What in the name of all that is holy would be the purpose of telling someone NOT to put it in the zip-loc? If it fits, WHO THE H**L CARES? They (TSA agents) just have to spout off about something to demonstrate/show off how much power they have. What a joke of a security measure and a complete waste of money.

But, yes, as all said, it just depends on the TSA agent and whether or not their panties are in a twist at that particular moment.

I totally agree. And here's one of my expereinces:

After 8/10/06, when the whole thing happened, I bought a tube of tooth powder, as I like to brush my teeth on the plane, and I don't need to put toothpaste in checked luggage. Since then, I've gone through security at IAH, EWR (both multiple times), LGW, PMO, NAP, HKG, SZX, KMG, LNJ, LAX.

It's powder. Powder = Solid. Never put it in ziplock, never a problem.

Then, last Friday, at IAH, after my carryon went through the X-ray, they say they want to look at my bag. The TSA agent took out my tooth powder, put in in ziplock bag (and also put my 4-oz contact lens solution, which I have always left it outside) and told me to keep it there in the future. What the ____?

And of course, I did it the old way on my way back through LAX and no issues.

That's the TSA consistency for you.

Chapstick would go in my pocket. Eyeliner, if I used it, would probably go in my purse, if I had one, and if they wanted to take it out and put it into a baggie then no problem. I can understand that if they see a container in the scanner then they don't know if the contents are solid or liquid. But if the eyeliner was not in a metal case then I'd probably keep it in my pocket.

"TSA consistency" = a new age oxymoron.

It's hilarious how a TSA agent will swear up and down that all of the airports are the same...yet, how many airports have most of them been through. Not nearly as many as those of us that travel every week, I know that for certain.

I have a belt that I always wear when I'm traveling. PDX is the ONLY airport I have been through where that belt sets off the metal detector. I made a "half joking" comment about the sensitivity of the scanner and OH MY GOD...you would have thought I made an off color joke about carrying a bomb or the "H" word. It was actually pretty funny how they reacted. So I took off my belt and walked through security...WITH a cigarette lighter in my computer bag. LOL Fantastic job you're doing there, TSA.

In the Milwaukee airport, the TSA gives out booties to put on when you have to take off your shoes. In Newark, they told me I couldn't wear them. I'd be happy to play by the rules, if I could just figure out what they are!

Put them in the ziploc. I agree that whether you really have to or not depends on the TSA agent. Technically, chapstick doesn't have to go in a ziploc, and if the eyeliner is a liquid, it does. If the eyeliner is a pencil, it does not. But, if you don't put them in a ziploc, and don't have a ziploc, they will take your items away. If they are in a ziplock and the TSA agent says "next time don't put them in a ziplock" well, you just say o.k. and you are on your way. I totally agree that the TSA rules for carry-on and ziploc items are insane, and the agents apply those rules (or not) inconsistently. Just be sure you don't actually follow the proper rules for contacts and saline solution, because the agents don't know what they are (ie 4 oz instead of the normal 3 oz, and NOT required to be in the ziploc). I always put mine in the ziploc anyway. And yes, I HAVE had a TSA agent tell me that "those items do not need to be in the ziploc." In that case he was actually right. Go figure :)