"A decision of this kind, impacting
people who have served this company well, is extremely difficult.
But the ongoing turmoil in the airline industry, coupled with high
fuel prices and pressure from low-cost carriers, puts us in a
position where we must continue to find ways to reduce the cost of
running our airline."
Source: Alaska's Airlines CEO Bill Ayer,
after replacing 472 Seattle baggage handlers with contractors from
Menzies at 0300 on Friday the 13th.