Randy in Exile

I'm reporting from Irving, Texas, this evening, where I am attending a professional conference. I discovered at the N.O. International Airport this morning that guys carrying hard hats and wearing steel-toes boots get the third degree from the screeners, while guys wearing Birkenstocks, cargo shorts, t-shirts, and Mexican cowboy hats are allowed to breeze right past the security checkpoint. Thus attired, I encountered three of my coworkers at the gate, all of whom were somewhat more respectably dressed. I came dressed for Texas in July, cowboy hat and all.