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### GeoffreyM. Grindeland Caryn GeraghtyJorgensen Mills Meyers Swartling 1000 2ndAvenue Suite 3000 Seattle, WA 98104 Tele: 206-812-7451 Fax: 206-267-6746

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

# RECEIVED JUN 

## 2 12013 

## HEARING DOCKET

9 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICE OF HEARINGS 10 WASHINGTON, D.C. 11 In the Matter of: FAA Case No. 2011NM020013 12 Alaska Airlines Inc. ALASKA AIRLINES, INC'S ANSWER 13 TO COMPLAINT 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

### 22 23 24 25 26 Alaska Airlines, Inc. answers the complaint as follows: I. 

### The averments in Section I ofthe complaint are admitted. II. 

### 1. Alaska Airlines admits the averments in Section II, Paragraph 1 of the complaint. 2. Alaska Airlines admits the averments in Section II, Paragraph 2 of the complaint. 3. Alaska Airlines admits the averments in Section II, Paragraph 3 of the complaint.

ALASKA AIRLINES, INC'S ANSWERTO COMPLAINT (No. 2011NM020013) -1 LAW OFFICES OF MILLS MEYERS SWARTLING 1000 SECOND AVENUE, 30THFLOOR SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104-1064 TELEPHONE (206) 382-1000 FACSIMILE (206) 386-73431 2 3 4 

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### 23 24 25 26 4. Alaska Airlines admits the averments in Section II, Paragraph 4 of the complaint. 5. Alaska Airlines admits the averments in Section II, Paragraph 5 of the complaint. 6. complaint. 7. 8.

1. 2. Alaska Airlines admits the averments in Section II, Paragraph 6 of the

The averments in Section II, Paragraph7 of the complaint are denied. The averments inSection II, Paragraph 8 of the complaint are denied. III. The averments in Section III, Paragraph 1 of the complaint are denied. In answer to Section III, Paragraph 2 of the complaint, Alaska Airlines admits that the maximum allowable civil penalty is $27,500, but denies that it should beliable for any civil penaltyinthis case. 3. In answer to Section III, Paragraph 3 of the complaint, Alaska Airlines denies thatit shouldbeliable for any civil penaltyinthis case. DEFENSES In further answer to the complaint, and without conceding that it has the burden of proof on any issue, Alaska Airlines asserts the following additional defenses: 

### 1. There was no violation in this case, because Alaska Airlines fully complied withits FAA-approvedprogramunder 14 CFR 121.629(c).

ALASKA AIRLINES, INC'S ANSWERTO COMPLAINT (No. 2011NM020013)- 2 LAW OFFICES OF MILLS MEYERS SWARTLING 1000 SECOND AVENUE, 30THFLOOR SEATILE, WASHINGTON 98104-1064 TELEPHONE (206) 382-1000 FACSIMILE (206) 386-7343

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### 22 23 24 25 26 2. If there is any finding that a violation occurred, mitigating factors shouldbe considered.

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### RELIEF REQUESTED Alaska Airlines requests an oral hearinginthis case. The reliefrequested inthe complaint shouldbe denied. The complaint shouldbe dismissed inits entirety.

DATED: June 13, 2013. MILLS MEYERS SWARTLING Attorneys for Alaska Airlines, Inc.

By:

ALASKA AIRLINES, INC.'S ANSWERTO COMPLAINT (No. 2011NM020013)- 3

# dtWtd~ Geoffrey M. Grindeland WSBA No. 35798 Caryn GeraghtyJorgensen WSBA No. 27514

LAW OFFICES OF MILLS MEYERS SWARTLING 1000SECOND AVENUE, 30THFLOOR SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104-1064 TELEPHONE (206) 382-1000 FACSIMILE (206) 386-73431 

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### 22 23 24 25 26 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE The undersigned certifies under penalty ofperjury under the laws of the State ofWashington that on this date I caused to be servedin the mannerindicated a copy ofthe within and foregoing documentupon the following persons:

Federal Aviation Administration Attn: HearingDocket Clerk, AGC- 430 Wilbur WrightBuilding- Suite 2W1000 Washington, D.C. 20591 Robert Spitzer FAA 

### Office ofRegional Counsel 1601 Lind Ave. SW Renton, W A 98057 DATED June 13, 2013. 

## if Via first class mail, postageprepaid D 

### Via facsimile to 202-493-5142 

### D Via Legal Messengers D ViaE-mail

# ~Via first class mail, postageprepaid D 

### Via facsimile to 425-227-1007 D Via Legal Messengers D 

### ViaE-mail

Christine Stanley

ALASKA AIRLINES, INC.'S ANSWER TO COMPLAINT (No. 2011NM020013)- 4 LAW OFFICES OF MILLS MEYERS SWARTLING 1000 SECOND AVENUE, 30TH FLOOR SEATTLE, WASHINGTON 98104-1064 TELEPHONE (206) 382-1000 FACSIMILE (206) 386-7343