Pageant News Bureau - Apparel Mart fashions

We've always liked Hooters. The food is hearty, the costumes are casual, the chairs are comfortable. Of course, these restaurants are somewhat controversial, probably because of their provocative owl symbol. But we don't mind seeing a bird occasionally.

Now, our liking for Hooters has turned to admiration. Never afraid to take a chance, the company has ventured far beyond hamburgers and hot wings -- into the wild blue yonder. Hooters has an airline of its own. Isn't that a trip?

Cassie Piersol
of Richmond, Ky.

Amber Ettinger
of Manhattan, N.Y.

It's an aviation milestone, actually. In 1903, the Wright Brothers showed us that flight was possible. In 1927, "Lucky Lindy" showed us that it was practical. And in 2003, Hooters showed us that it can be beautiful.

Brodine Perry of Houston

Michelle Stevens of Fort Lauderdale

Jill Smith of Las Vegas

To show our respect for this bold step, we journalists at PNB chose to cover the 2003 Miss Hooters International Pageant just a bit differently. We usually show the Hooters competitors in their bikinis, but this time we decided to feature them in party wear. We're celebrating the airline, you know.

Monica Sylvestre of Los Angeles

We didn't go overboard with this policy. When the winner, Tina Gabaldon, was crowned in Las Vegas, she and her runners-up were wearing bikinis. We could hardly ask them to put on a few more clothes just for our photographer, could we? We snapped the ladies as they were, and they were glorious.

First a chain of restaurants, then a beauty pageant, then an airline. We'll be watching closely for Hooters' next move.

Look at that owl fly!