'••;vSi.vt;,: v SOUTHWES TAIRLINE S CO . Barr yS . Brow n Associat e Genera l Counse l Operation s & Environmen t p . 0 Box3661 1 HDQ/4G C Dallas , Texa s 75235-161 1 214/7^2-426 3 214/792-406 6 (Fax ) U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n Docke t Operations , Wes t Buildin g Groun d Floo r Roo m W12-14 0 120 0 Ne wJerse yAvenue , S E Washington , D C 2059 0 B yFedE xReferenc e #794 7 268 8 238 0 Pursuan t t o th e provision s o fFA R § 11.6 1 (b) , Southwes t Airline s Co. , Operatin g Certificat e A-SW-00015-S , respectfull ysubmit s thi s petitio n fo rexemption . (a ) Designate d Employe rRepresentatives : Caroly n Beutle r Manager-Dru g & Alcoho l Progra m Southwes t Airline s Co . P.O . Box36611,HDQ/4H R 270 2 Lov e Fiel d Dr . Dallas , Texa s 75235-161 1 (214 ) 792-448 6 (office ) (972 ) 951-386 6 (cell ) Pamel a Childer s Dru g & Alcoho l Complianc e Lea d Southwes t Airline s Co . P.O . Bo x36611 , HDQ/4H R 270 2 Lov e Fiel d Dr . Dallas , Texa s 75235-161 1 (214 ) 792-488 4 (office ) (214 ) 533-941 8 (cell ) (b ) Th e specifi cprovision s o f1 4 an d 4 9 CF R fro m whic h Southwes t Airline s seek s exemption , an d a brie fdescriptio n o f eac h requeste d exemption : Pursuan t t o 1 4 C.F.R . § 11.61 , an d i n anticipatio n o fth e conversio n t o a Singl e Operatin g Certificat e ("SOC" ) o n o r abou t th e January-Marc h quarte ro f2012 , Southwes t hereb ypetition s th e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n ("FAA" ) fo ra n exemptio n fro m th e federa l regulation s enumerate d below . Fo rth e purpose s o fthi s exemptio n reques t an d al l subordinat e request s i n th e chart below , th e curren t FAA-approve d Southwes t Operatin g Certificat e wil l b e re-issue d a s a SO C combinin g th e legacyo fbot h Southwes t Airline s an d AirTra n Holdings , Inc . ("AirTran") . Th e description s belo w specificall yaddres s th e need s o fsafel ymigratin g AirTra n Employee s toward s o rint o th e SOC . I t i s assume d Southwest' s covere d employee s wil l no t b e subjec t t o th e nee d fo rexemption . I fa subsequen t determinatio n i s mad e b y th e FAAt o th e contraryo fthi s assumption , i t i s hereb yspecificall yrequeste d tha t al l Southwes t covere d employee s woul d b e grante d th e sam e exemption s an d waivers , in-kind , a s requeste d below : Reques t Numbe r
1 Regulatio n

1 4 CF R Part 12 0 Subpar t

109(a ) Subjec t

Pre-Employmen t Testin g Descriptio n

Permanentl yexemp t AirTra n employee s covere d unde rth e curren t FAA-approve d AirTra n Operatin g Certificat e fro m pre employmen t dru g testin g requirements . Thi s exemptio n woul d tak e effec t immediatel y upo n issuanc e an d appl ywhe n an d if , prio r t o issuanc e o fa SOC , a n employe e i s migrated , a s appropriate , fro m AirTra n t o th e curren t Southwes t Operatin g Certificat e o r whe n an yemploye e i s migrate d t o th e ne w SOC , whe n issued .U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n Ma y5 , 201 1 Pag e 2 Reques t Numbe r
2

3

4

5

6

7 Regulatio n

1 4 CF R Part 12 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0

4 9 CF R Part 4 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0

4 9 CF R Part 4 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0 Subpar t

36(a )

2 5

2 6

3 5
45(c)(1) , 45(c)(2 )

20 9 Subjec t

Us e O fProhibite d Drug s

Dru g an d Alcoho l Testin g Record s
Managemen t Informatio n Syste m (MIS ) Report s
DE R Informatio n
Federa l Dru g Testing , Custod yan d Contro l For m (CCF )
Correctiv e Actio n Descriptio n Permanentl yexemp t AirTra n employee s covere d unde rth e curren t FAA-approve d AirTra n Operatin g Certificat e fro m pre employmen t dru g testin g requirements . Thi s exemptio n woul d tak e effec t immediatel y upo n Issuanc e an d appl ywhen , prio rt o issuanc e o fa SOC , a n employe e is migrated , a s appropriate , fro m AirTra n t o th e curren t (Southwest ) Operatin g Certificat e o r whe n an yemploye e i s migrate d t o th e ne w SOC , whe n issued . Permanentl yexemp t AirTra n employee s covere d unde rth e curren t FAA-approve d AirTra n Operatin g Certificat e fro m dru g an d alcoho l testin g recor d chec k requirements . Thi s exemptio n woul d tak e effec t immediat e yupo n issuanc e an d appl ywhen , prio rt o issuanc e o fa SOC , a n employe e i s migrated , a s appropriate , fro m AirTra n t o th e curren t Southwes t Operatin g Certificat e o r whe n an yAirTra n employe e i s migrate d t o th e ne wSOC , whe n issued . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d regardin g possibl e MI S statistica l anomalie s a s a resul t o fthi s acquisitio n a s full ydiscusse d below . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d t o b e effectiv e Immediately , an d fo rMI S report s extendin g on e (1 ) yea rpas t th e issuanc e o f a SOC . Exemptio n reques t numbers 16 , 21 , 2 2 an d 2 5 ar e requeste d i n conjunctio n wit h thi s relief . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m thi s requiremen t i n th e even t informatio n i s mixe d o rmislabele d o n document s durin g ou rmigration , transition , an d cros s utilizatio n o fadministrativ e resources . Temporaryrelie fis requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea r afte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m th e restrictio n o n th e Federa l CC F modification s durin g th e perio d o ftransitio n an d wit h th e us e o fvariou s servic e agent s durin g ou r transitio n an d cross-utilizatio n o f administrativ e resources . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yanc i fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie ffro m th e enforcemen t actio n du e t o lac k

o fdocumentatio n o f inadverten t administrativ e an d qualit y assuranc e flaw s durin g ou rmigration , transitio n an d cross-utilizatio n o f administrativ e resources . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC .

### U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n Ma y5 , 201 1 Pag e 3 Reques t Numbe r 8

9

1 0

1 1

1 2

1 3 Regulatio n

4 9 CF R Part 4 0

4 9 CF R Part 4 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0 Subpar t

21 5
225(b )

27 5

32 1

33 3 (d )
Subpart Q Subjec t

DE R Informatio n
DO TAlcoho l Testin g For m (ATF )

Correctiv e Action-AT F

Genera l Confidentialit y

Record s Retentio n

Servic e Agent s Descriptio n 1 emporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m thi s requiremen t i n th e even t informatio n i s mixe d o rmislabele d o n document s dunn g ou rmigration , transitio n an d cross-utilizatio n o fadministrativ e resources . Temporary relie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie fis requeste d fro m th e restnctio n o n th e Federa l AT F modificatio n durin g th e perio d o fmigration , transitio n an d cros s utilizatio n o fadministrativ e resources . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea r afte rissuanc e o fa SOC . temporar yrelie fis requeste d fro m enforcemen t actio n du e t o lac k o f documentatio n o finadverten t administrativ e an d qualit yassuranc e flaw s durin g ou r migration , transition , an d cross-utilizatio n o f administrativ e resources . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan a fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m th e confidentialit yrestriction s allowin g ful l shahn g o fpersona l informatio n betwee n Southwes t an d AirTran , effectiv e immediatel yuntil th e issuanc e o fa SOC . Thi s informatio n woul d include , bu t i s no t limite d to , ful l disclosur e o n pre-employment , random , follow-up , pos t accident , an d reasonabl e cause/suspicio n testin g information . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m th e producin g record s a t a principl e plac e o f busines s i n th e tim e require d b yth e DO T agency . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporary , genera l relie ffro m th e restriction s o fservic e agent s i s requeste d s o tha t eac h airlin e ca n b e mutuall yuse d a s a servic e agen t withou t restriction , penalty , o r publi cinteres t exclusion . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC .U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n May5 , 201 1 Pag e 4 Reques t Numbe r 1 4

1 5

1 6

1 7

1 8

1 9

2 0 Regulatio n

4 9 CF R Par t 4 0

4 9 CF R Part 4 0
1 4 CF R Par t 12 0

1 4 CF R Part 12 0

1 4 CF R Part 12 0

1 4 CF R Part 12 0

1 4 CF R Par t 12 0 Subpar t

Appendi xF
Subpart R
109(b)(6)(i)(b )
109(d )
111(c )

115(a)(b )
115(c ) Subjec t

Servic e Agent s

Publi cInteres t Exclusion s (PIE )

Rando m Testin g

Testin g Base d o n Reasonabl e Caus e

Releas e o fDru g Testin g Informatio n

EA P Educatio n Progra m

EA P Trainin g Progra m Descriptio n Temporary , genera l relie ffro m th e restriction s o fservic e agent s i s requeste d s o tha t eac h airlin e ca n b e mutuall yuse d a s a servic e agen t withou t restriction , penalty , o r publi cinteres t exclusion . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporary , genera l relie ffro m relie ffro m PI E i fservice s ar e no t consisten t wit h th e agenc yregulations . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediatel yan d fo ron e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d regardin g possibl e MI S statistica l anomalie s a s a resul t o fthi s acquisition , a s full ydiscusse d below . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d t o b e effectiv e immediately , an d fo rMI S report s extendin g on e (1 ) yea rpas t th e Issuanc e o f a SOC . Exemptio n reques t numbers 4 , 21 , 22 , an d 2 5 ar e requeste d i n conjunctio n wit h thi s relief . Temporaril ymodifyth e two-supervisors/on e traine d superviso rrequiremen t fo r reasonabl e caus e assessments . Thi s exemptio n woul d permi t supervisors , a s appropriate , fro m eithe rth e Southwes t o r AirTra n Operatin g Certificat e t o concu ro n reasonabl e suspicion/caus e testing , prio rt o th e issuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediately . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m confidentialit yrestriction s allowin g ful l sharin g o fpersonne l informatio n betwee n Southwes t an d AirTra n effectiv e immediatel yuntil th e issuanc e o fa SOC . Thi s informatio n woul d include , bu t is no t limite d to , ful l disclosur e o n pre employment , random , follow-up , pos t accident , reasonabl e cause/suspicio n testin g information . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m th e requiremen t fo rdispla yan d distributio n o f informatio n materia l an d communit yservic e hot-lin e telephon e numbers fo remploye e assistance , effectiv e immediatel yan d fo r on e (1 ) calenda ryea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Permanen t relie fi s requeste d fo r employee s covere d unde reithe rSouthwes t o rAirTra n Operatin g Certificat e fro m th e requiremen t t o redistribut e th e employer' s policyregardin g dru g us e i n th e workplace . Permanentl yexemp t AirTra n employee s covere d unde rth e curren t FAA-approve d AirTra n Operatin g Specificatio n fro m initia l EA P trainin g fo remployee s an d initia l supervisorytrainin g requirements . Thi s exemptio n woul d tak e effec t immediatel y upo n issuanc e an d appl ywhen , prio rt o issuanc e o fa SOC , a n employe e i s migrate d fro m AirTra n t o th e curren t

### U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n Ma y5 , 201 1 Pag e 5 Reques t Numbe r

2 1

2 2

2 3

2 4

2 5

2 6 Regulatio n

1 4 CF R Part 12 0

1 4 CF R FA R 12 0

1 4 CF R FA R 12 0

1 4 CF R FA R 12 0

1 4 CF R FA R 12 0

1 4 CF R FA R 12 0 Subpar t

119(a )
217(c)(6)(i )
217(d)(2 )
219(a )
219(b )
219(c ) Subjec t

Annua l Report s

Rando m Testin g

Reasonabl e Suspicio n Testin g

Retentio n o fRecord s

Annua l Report s

Acces s t o Record s Descriptio n Southwes t Operatin g Certificat e o rwhe n an yemploye e i s migrate d t o th e ne wSOC , whe n issue d Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d regardin g possibl e MI S statistica l anomalie s a s a resul t o fthi s acquisition , a s full ydiscusse d below . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d t o b e effectiv e immediately , an d fo rMI S report s extendin g on e (1 ) yea rpas t th e issuanc e o f a SOC . Exemptio n reques t numbers 4 , 16 , 2 2 an d 2 5 ar e requeste d i n conjunctio n wit h thi s relief . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d regardin g possibl e MI S statistica l anomalie s a s a resul t o fthi s acquisition , a s full ydiscusse d below . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d t o b e effectiv e immediately , an d fo rMI S report s extendin g on e (1 ) yea rpas t th e issuanc e o f a SOC . Exemptio n reques t numbers 4 , 16 , 2 1 an d 2 5 ar e requeste d i n conjunctio n wit h thi s relief . Temporaril ymodifyth e on e superviso r requiremen t fo rreasonabl e suspicio n assessments . Thi s exemptio n woul d permi t a supervisor , a s appropriate , fro m eithe r Operatin g Certificat e t o direc t reasonabl e suspicio n testing , prio rt o th e issuanc e o fa SO C t o direc t reasonabl e suspicio n testing , prio rt o th e issuanc e o fa SOC . Temporary relie fi s requeste d effectiv e immediately . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m th e requiremen t tha t record s b e store d i n on e location . Thi s exemptio n woul d permi t historica l record s t o b e temporaril ystore d a t differen t location s prio rt o an d fo ron e (1 ) yea rafte rissuanc e o fa SOC . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d regardin g possibl e MI S statistica l anomalie s a s a resul t o fthi s acquisition , a s full ydiscusse d below . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d t o b e effectiv e immediately , an d fo rMI S report s extendin g on e (1 ) yea rpas t th e issuanc e o f a SOC . Exemptio n reques t numbers 4,16 , 2 1 an d 2 2 ar e requeste d i n conjunctio n wit h thi s relief . Temporaryrelie fi s requeste d fro m confidentialit yrestriction s allowin g ful l sharin g o rpersonne l informatio n betwee n Southwes t an d AirTran , effectiv e immediatel yuntil th e issuanc e o fa SOC . Thi s informatio n woul d include , bu t i s no t limite d to , ful l disclosur e o n pre employment , random , follow-up , pos t accident , reasonabl e cause/suspicio n testin q information .U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n May5 , 201 1 Pag e 6 Reques t Numbe r 2 7

2 8 Regulatio n

1 4 CF R FA R 12 0

14CF R Part 12 0 Subpar t

223(a)(1 )

3 5 Subjec t

Employe rObligatio n t o Promulgat e a Policyo n

th e Misus e o fAlcoho l

Us e O fProhibite d Drug s Descriptio n

Permanen t relie fi s requeste d fo remployee s covere d unde reithe rth e Southwes t o r AirTra n Operatin g Certificat e fro m th e requiremen t t o re-distribut e th e employer' s misus e o falcoho l policy . Permanentl yexemp t AirTra n employee s covere d unde rth e curren t FAA-approve d AirTra n Operatin g Specificatio n fro m th e initia l trainin g fo remployee s an d initia l supervisorytrainin g requirements . Thi s exemptio n woul d tak e effec t immediatel y upo n issuanc e an d appl ywhen , prio rt o issuanc e o fa SOC , a n employe e i s migrate d a s appropriate , fro m AirTra n t o th e curren t Southwes t Operatin g Certificat e o rwhe n an y employe e i s migrate d t o th e ne wSOC , whe n issued . fc ) Th e exten t o frelie fSouthwes t seeks , an d th e reason Southwes t seek s th e relief : Southwes t Airline s close d it s acquisitio n o fAirTra n Airway s o n May2 , 2011 . Wit h th e completio n o fth e acquisition , AirTra n ha s becom e a wholl yowne d subsidiaryo fSouthwest . Althoug h variou s aspect s o fmerge rintegratio n wil l begi n immediately ; th e tw o operatin g carrier s wil l maintai n separat e operatin g certificate s fo rsom e perio d o ftime i n orde rt o ensur e a well-planne d transitio n t o a singl e certificat e b yapproximatel yMarc h 31 , 2012 , o rsoo n thereafter . Southwes t anticipate s convertin g t o a singl e FAAoperatin g certificat e hel d bySouthwes t Southwest , Ai rTran , an d th e FAAalread yhav e investe d significan t resource s t o ensur e a seamles s transitio n durin g th e acquisitio n an d integratio n proces s fo rth e safet yo fcustomer s an d th e genera l publi cinterest . Fo rexample , o n February 18 , 2011 , a n A50 2 Ai rCarrie rMerge rand/o rAcquisitio n Operation s Specificatio n wa s issue d bydirectio n o fth e FAA Administrator , whic h approve d AirTra n operation s t o b e conducte d i n accordanc e wit h th e propose d merger . Thi s petition , includin g th e regulatoryexemption s an d tim e limitation s tha t i t seeks , is appropriat e an d justifie d withi n th e contex t o fth e FAAAdministrator' s previousl yapprove d Operation s Specifications . I n furtheranc e o faviatio n safet yan d fo ra n ordert yan d complian t transitio n plan . Southwes t ha s researche d recen t large scal e airlin e merger s an d acquisitions . Thi s researc h include s documentatio n availabl e i n th e publi crecor d an d privat e researc h benchmarkin g proces s improvemen t analysi s o fothe rairlines . Portion s o fthi s petitio n fo rrelie fbase d o n th e publi crecor d (including pre-employmen t dru g testin g an d historychecks ) ar e neithe runiqu e no rpreceden t setting . Valuabl e ne wbenchmarkin g researc h clearlyindicate s that , t o furthe radvanc e th e margi n o faviatio n safetyan d regulatorycompliance , additiona l mino radministrativ e issue s mus t b e addresse d an d resolve d prio rt o issuanc e ofa SOC . Th e exten t o fan d reason fo rrelie fo n th e topi co fprogra m administratio n an d qualit yassuranc e issue s i s essentiall ybase d o n thi s research , th e identifie d nee d t o mak e detaile d practica l exception s t o th e regulations, an d th e siz e an d scop e o fthi s endeavor . Thi s reques t fo rexemptio n i s no t intende d t o b e preceden t settin g an d i s i n accordanc e wit h th e FAAAdministrator' s previousl yapprove d Operation s Specifications . Bot h Southwes t an d AirTra n hav e long-establishe d FAA-approve d workplac e dru g testin g programs , a s require d by1 4 C.F. R Par

t 120 , wher e bot h carrier s mee t o rexcee d FAAregulations . Th e AirTra n covere d employee s wh o migrat e t o Southwes t wil l b e performin g th e sam e safety-sensitiv e function s fo rSouthwes t a s the yperforme d fo rAirTra n prio rt o th e acquisition . A s establishe d bypreceden t i n previou s mergers , conductin g pre-employmen t dru g testin g an d testin g history check s o n forme rAirTra n employee s woul d no t furthe rcontribut e t o aviatio n safety , an d woul d merel yserv e a s a nU.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n Mays , 201 1 Pag e 7 unnecessaryadministrativ e an d financial burde n t o th e merge d carrier . Thus , wit h respec t t o th e pre-employmen t process , preceden t provide s clea rjustificatio n fo rapproval . Certai n o fth e Southwes t exemptio n request s ar e unrelate d t o th e pre-employmen t process . Thes e remainin g exemptio n request s ar e designe d t o increas e th e testin g safet yne t whil e providin g a n effective , unified , an d credibl e detectio n an d deterrenc e progra m acros s tw o mergin g certificates . Th e remainin g request s concer n progra m administratio n an d qualit y assuranc e topics , an d ca n b e summarize d int o thre e basi ccategories : rando m testin g accounting , educatio n an d training , an d administrative/miscellaneou s topics . Southwes t request s temporaryrelie fregardin g possibl e MI S statistica l anomalie s a s a resul t o fthi s acquisition . Anomalie s ma yoccu rwhe n currenti yprescribe d rando m testin g accountin g method s ar e applie d t o eithe rth e unpredictabl e issuanc e dat e o fth e SO C and/o rt o th e larg e volum e migratio n o femployees , a s appropriate , betwee n curren t certificates . Departmen t o fTransportatio n an d Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n MI S accountin g method s ar e base d o n a well-define d calenda ryear s fo ra singl e earne r~ no t a large-scal e acquisitio n situatio n wit h severa l hundre d t o 1,00 0 o rmor e employee s migratin g fro m on e certificat e t o th e other . Althoug h th e targe t date s fo rissuanc e o fth e SO C i s approximatel yMarc h 31 , 2012 , i fth e actua l dat e doe s no t coincid e wit h th e norma l MI S report s reportin g period , MI S report s ma yfalsel yindicat e a leve l o finsufficien t testing . I n addition , forme rAirTra n employees , a s appropriate , ma y migrat e t o perfor m function s unde rth e curren t Southwes t operatin g certificat e prio rt o SO C issuance . A s Southwes t employe e count s increas e a t extraordinaryrate s throug h th e calenda ryear , resultin g minimu m testin g quota s woul d als o increas e a t a n anomalou s rate . I t i s cleart yth e intentio n o fSouthwes t an d AirTra n t o compl yseparatel ywit h require d testin g rate s an d us e prescribe d MI S reportin g methods . Relie fi s requeste d t o avoi d thes e possibl e merger-relate d anomalie s and/o rt o preven t erroneou s dat a fro m corruptin g on-goin g statistica l analysi s conducte d byth e Departmen t o f Transportation . Th e secon d broad categoryo fprogra m administratio n an d qualit yassuranc e exemption s relate s t o th e educatio n an d trainin g o femployee s an d supervisors . Du e t o th e remar1<abl e similaritie s i n al l aspect s o fth e tw o functionin g program s (includin g testin g methods , consequences , genera l awareness , an d superviso rtraining) , i t i s requeste d tha t requirement s fo remploye e education/trainin g b e waive d entirely , wit h respec t t o th e acquisition , an d tha t al l previou s AirTra n employe e qualification s b e permanentl yhonore d onc e th e employee s ar e assimilate d int o Southwest . Simila rt o th e pre employmen t testin g exemptio n requests , th e grantin g o fthi s waive rwoul d allo wfo ra smoot h an d ordert ymigratio n o f employee s fro m on e operatin g certificat e t o th e othe rwithou t th e excessiv e burde n o ftreatin g AirTra n employee s a s 'new ' Southwes t employees . I n addition , honorin g th e trainin g an d educatio n o fforme rAirTra n supervisorypersonnel , traine d i n sign s an d symptom s detection , woul d creat e a n immediate , credibl e an d effectiv e deterren t throughou t th e combine d operatin g system . Th e us e o fsupervisor s i n th e detectio n o fchemica l abus e lead s t o th e third broad categoryo fexemptions , concerning variou s administrative/miscellaneou s topics . A s administrativ e processe s an d leadershi p organization s merg e int o a commo n carrier , AirTra n supervisorypersonne l wil l b e assimilate d int o Southwes t i n advanc e o fa SOC . Cros s utilizatio n o fsupervisors woul d enhanc e safet yb ycreatin g a forc e multiplie ro fprogra m surrogate s availabl e t o ensur e progra m integrity . I t i s specificall yrequeste d that , prio rt o th e issuanc e o fa ne wSOC , a tota l cross-utilizatio n o ftraine d supervisors b e permitted . I n othe rwords , w e reques t tha t th e us e o fsupervisor s acros s operatin g certificate s b e temporaril yallowed . I n practice , traine d supervisor s fro m eithe rpre-merge rcertificat e woul d b e permitte d t o conduc t reasonabl e suspicion/caus e assessment s o n covere d employees , regardles s o fnorma l operatin g certificat e barriers . Miscellaneou s cross-utilizatio n o fadministrativ e resource s als o i s explicitl yrequeste d multipl e time s i n thi s petition . Immediat e an d temporaryexemptio n fro m genera l confidentialit yan d administrativ e rule s woul d allo wbette rmanagemen t o fmerged , single-sourc e laboratoryan d Medica l Revie wOffice r(MRO ) resources , a s wel l a s th e pre-SO C issuanc e sharin g o fconfidentia l information . Thi s informatio n woul d include , withou t limitation , ful l disclosur e o n pre-employment , random , follow-up , pos t accident , reasonabl e cause/suspicio n testin g information . I n addition , th e grantin g o fa n exemptio n allowin g th e correctio n o fmino radministrativ e error s wil l greati yenhanc e safet yb yallowin g separat e progra m manager s t o mak e correction s an d re-rout e tes t result s t o appropriat e certificat e files. I n total , th e intentio n o fth e request s i n th e precedin g tabl e i s t o allo wa reasonable , commo n sens e cross-utilizatio n o fresource s prio rt o an d immediatel yafte r issuanc e o fa SO C unencumbere d bynorma l certificat e barriers . Southwes t envision s tha t Southwes t an d AirTra n wil l transitio n t o a commo n FAASO C ove rth e nex t 1 2 months . Whe n th e carrier s transitio n t o a ne wcertificate , al l o fAirTran' s record s wil l b e availabl e t o Southwest . I n regard s t o FAA Administrator' s approva l t o conduc t operation s i n common , mos t no n safety-sensitiv e employee s an d administrativ eU.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n Mays , 201 1 Page s support function s o fth e operation s wil l migrat e t o Southwes t prio rt o issuanc e o fa SOC . Withi n thi s Context , thi s petitio n i s requeste d t o tak e effec t immediatel yupo n issuanc e an d t o remai n i n effect , i n genera l (excep t t o th e exten t permanen t relie fha s bee n requested) , until on e (1 ) yea rpas t th e issuanc e o fa SOC . (d^ Th e reason s wh ygrantin g Southwes t regues t woul d b e i n th e publi cinterest : Southwes t believe s grantin g thi s reques t fo rrelie fwoul d b e i n th e publi cinterest . Curren t AirTra n employee s wh o perfor m safety-sensitiv e function s hav e bee n screene d fo rsubstanc e us e an d ar e subjec t t o a robust , ongoing , an d comprehensiv e FAA-approve d testin g program . Therefore , th e publk ; interes t alread yi s serve d byensurin g tha t activ e substanc e abuser s ar e detecte d an d prevente d fro m performin g safety-sensitiv e functions . I n addition , AirTra n employee s wh o perfor m safety-sensitiv e function s hav e bee n screene d fo ran yprio rdru g an d alcoho l testin g violation s a t actua l an d potentia l employers . Thes e historycheck s wer e processe d byAirTran , consisten t wit h CF R 40.25 . Thus , al l appropriat e step s hav e bee n take n byAirTra n t o scree n employee s base d o n thei rpreviou s testin g records . Southwest , AirTran , an d th e FAAalread yhav e investe d significan t resource s t o ensur e a seamles s transitio n durin g th e acquisitio n an d integratio n proces s fo rth e safet yo fcustomer s an d th e genera l publi cinterest . Th e publi cinteres t ha s alread ybee n serve d b yth e on-goin g implementatio n o fa n ordertyan d complian t transitio n plan , furthe radvancin g th e margi n o faviatio n safet yan d regulatorycompliance . Throug h a n on-going , collaborativ e integratio n proces s directl y includin g FAAparticipatio n an d oversight , Southwes t an d AirTra n ar e activel ysharin g information , procedures , an d processe s i n advanc e o fa SOC . Thi s safet ycollaboratio n wil l allo wbot h carrier s t o strengthe n th e end-stat e progra m by allowin g currentl yseparat e administrator s t o experienc e an d adop t bes t practice s fo rth e singl e carrier . Withi n thi s context , th e publi cinteres t wil l continu e t o b e serve d whe n commo n sense , practica l exemption s ar e grante d fro m th e regulations . I n addition , grantin g thi s petitio n wil l likel yprovid e a n extr a margi n o fsafet yi n man ysituations . Althoug h progra m operation s wil l remai n separat e durin g th e entir e merge rprocess , relie ffro m som e burden s o fseparat e progra m administratio n wil l promot e th e us e o fcombine d resources . Thes e combine d resource s wil l act a s a resourc e an d safet y multiplie r(especiall yi n th e cross-utilizatio n o fawarenes s trainin g an d traine d supervisors ) throughou t bot h carrie r networks . Thi s extr a margi n o fsafet ycoul d no t otherwis e b e obtaine d i fSouthwes t an d AirTra n ar e burdene d wit h functionin g a s full yseparat e administrativ e entitie s durin g th e acquisitio n process . Moreover , althoug h merge rintegratio n wil l begi n immediately , th e tw o carrier s wil l continu e t o maintai n separat e Operatin g Certificate s t o ensur e a well-planne d transitio n t o a SOC . I t i s recognize d tha t th e mandate d workplac e dru g an d alcoho l testin g progra m i s a critica l part o fth e well-planne d transitio n t o a singl e certificate . Fo ral l o fthes e reasons , i t is i n th e publi cinteres t t o gran t Southwest' s reques t fo rrelief . fe ) Th e reason s wh ygrantin g th e exemptio n woul d no t adversel yaffec t safety , o rho wth e exemptio n woul d provid e a leve l o fsafet ya t leas t equa l t o tha t provide d b yth e rul e fro m whic h Southwes t seek s th e exemption : I n additio n t o th e safet yissue s discusse d above , th e exemptio n woul d provid e a leve l o fsafet ya t leas t equal t o o r greate rtha n provide d b yth e rul e becaus e th e AirTra n employee s wh o perfor m safet ysensitiv e function s alread yhav e been , an d continu e t o be , screene d fo rsubstanc e us e throug h testin g an d check s fo rprio remployment-relate d dru g an d alcoho l testin g violations . AirTra n complete d th e dru g testin g an d th e require d check s consisten t wit h establishe d federa l procedures . (f ) Asummar yw e ca n publis h i n th e Federa l Registe rstating : (\ ) th e rul e fro m whic h Southwes t seek s th e exemption : an d (2 ) Abrie fdescriptio n o fth e natur e o fth e exemptio n Southwes t seeks : I n accordanc e wit h FA R 1 , goo d caus e exist s fo ra n exemptio n fro m Federa l Registe rpublicatio n an d commen t procedures . Southwes t i s diligenti yworkin g throug h th e pla n fo rtransitio n t o a SOC , an d believe s tha t ther e i s n o risk t o safetyan d tha t th e publi cinteres t wil l b e serve d byexpeditin g it s request . Relie ffro m pre-employmen t testin g an d testin g histor ychec k requirement s hav e bee n grante d t o othe rcarrier s tha t merge d operations . Du e t o th e uniqu e circumstance s surroundin g othe raspect s o fthi s petition , however , th e decisio n t o gran t th e requeste d exemptio n woul d no t se t a preceden t fo rth e future .U.S . Departmen t o fTransportatio n May5 , 201 1 Pag e 9 (Q ) An yadditiona l information , view s o rargument s availabl e t o support you rrequest : Southwes t request s expedite d consideratio n o fthi s petition , whic h wa s filed i n a timelymanner , withou t regar d t o th e 120-da ywaitin g period . Specifically , Southwes t request s th e FAAt o mak e a final decisio n regardin g thi s petitio n n o late r tha n ne wdat e Ma y16 , 2011 . Southwes t respectfull ysubmit s tha t n o part ywil l b e prejudice d bya n earl ydecision , a s th e exemptio n petitio n i s mor e procedura l tha n substantiv e i n nature . h ) I fyo u wan t t o exercis e th e privilege s o fyou rexemptio n outsid e th e Unite d States , th e reason wh yvo u nee d t o d o so : Southwes t i s no t seekin g t o exercis e th e privileg e o fth e exemptio n outsid e o fth e Unite d States . I fw e ca n provid e additiona l informatio n o rb e o fan yothe rassistance , pleas e contac t th e undersigned , Caroly n Beutler , Manager , Southwes t Airiine s Dru g an d Alcoho l Progra m (214-792-4486) , o rPamel a Childers , Southwes t Airiine s Dru g an d Alcoho l Progra m Complianc e Lea d (214-792-4884) . Than k yo u fo ryou rconsideratio n o fthi s petition . Respectfull ysubmitted . Southwes t Airl ] ,''"•"" 1 By :

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