Alaska Airlines Adopts New Safety Procedure

Alaska Airlines Adopts New Safety Procedure
(See below)

CEO Swears It's Foolproof and Claims No More MD-80's Will Crash

"But even if they do crash," he says, "the passengers on board
needn't worry."

Alaska Airlines places a sectarian religious message on each passenger's meal tray.

RELEASED AT 5:30 P.M. January 31, 2000

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco is reported to have fallen off the radar scope late this afternoon approximately 20 miles north of Point Mugu, California. The Coast Guard has been dispatched. Details are not available at this time. As soon as information is available it will be posted here on the Alaska Airlines web site.

RELEASED AT 6:00 P.M. January 31, 2000
ALASKA AIRLINES AIRCRAFT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco went down in the water late this afternoon approximately 20 miles off Point Mugu, Calif. The flight carried 80 passengers and 5 crew (two pilots and three flight attendants). Everyone at Alaska Airlines is deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of the passengers and crew on Flight 261. Pilots radioed a problem with stabilizer trim and the plane was diverted to Los Angeles. The plane, an MD-80, has no history of stabilizer trim problems. The Coast Guard has been dispatched. The flight was enroute from Puerto Vallarta to San Francisco continuing to Seattle when the pilot radioed with the problem. The plane was diverting to Los Angeles International Airport when contact was lost. The airline will be releasing a passenger manifest as soon as possible. Alaska has established a hotline for friends and family at 1-800-553-5117.