Travel Bound?
Nov. 30, 2011I’ve been traveling around the world this year on our Hat’isfaction World tour. My biggest problem always seems to be the hat. A travel caseseems to be the “easiest” answer. But luggage requirements always rule. Plus, I WANT to wear my hat! A few weeks ago I decided to go to the airport early and take a stand, for all things western and sacred. As I approached the security checkpoint I did the usual. I took off my boots, belt and buckle, emptied my pockets and got ready. Now, fot the record, I am ready for it all… Comments about my boots. Check. About my buckle. Check. Conformateur and famillion (head sizing equipment). Check. Now, I am about safety and rules, but the mud-flapped x-ray machine trashes hats. Good for the renovation business, but they make a disaster of hats. Not cool. Making a “clamshell” with the plastic boxes they give you is a waste of time… So, here I go. The TSA Agent says, “Put your hat in the x-ray machine son.” i reply, “No thank you sir”. To which he replies, “Don’t hold up the line….DO IT!” i asked for a supervisor. I got a supervisor. He then told the Agent, “All members of the traveling public are permitted to wear head coverings (whether religious or not) through the security checkpoints. The new standard procedures subject all persons wearing head coverings to the possibility of additional security screening, which may include a pat-down search of the head covering.” I was shocked! So was the agent. By the look on his face you would of thought I just shot his dog! It was great! A week later I see a Troy Applehans, a GHW wearer in the security line. I know what is about to happen… I’ve got his back…I save the hat, save him from the same argument, and it ends with the TSA Agent apologizing! So pass this on as a PSA. My gift to you during “Cowboy Christmas”. Whether your hat is a GHW or another, it is part of you, a part of our religion. Wear it proud and LOUD! Click here for all the rules for headwear according to TSA.
God Bless Hats and the USA!
