UW’S Coach Sarkisian to ‘Catch’ Season’s First Copper River Salmon in Seattle

  Alaska Air Cargo salmon-filled 737 freighter to arrive at Sea-Tac at dawn

  NEWS ADVISORY FOR FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009


  WHEN:     Friday, May 15, 6:15 a.m. Pacific time

  WHERE:    Alaska Air Cargo Warehouse
            Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
            2600 South 165th St.
            Seattle, WA 98158

  WHAT:     The annual rite of spring continues as Alaska Air Cargo flies
            the season's first catch of prized Copper River salmon from
            Cordova, Alaska, to Seattle and points beyond. The first
            shipment is expected to arrive at the Alaska Air Cargo
            Warehouse at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 6:15 a.m.
            University of Washington Husky Football Coach Steve Sarkisian
            will catch the ceremonial first salmon donated by Ocean Beauty
            Seafoods.

  WHO:      Approximately 20,000 pounds of wild Alaska Copper River salmon
            Joe Sprague, vice president of Alaska Air Cargo
            University of Washington Husky Football Coach Steve Sarkisian
            Tom Sunderland, director of marketing, Ocean Beauty Seafoods
            Representatives from processors: Trident Seafoods and Copper
            River Seafoods

  TIMELINE: 5 a.m.      News media may arrive for setup, security badging
                        and safety briefing
            5:30 a.m.   Participants on hand for advance interviews
            6:15 a.m.   Fish-filled 737-400 freighter arrives
            6:20 a.m.   First salmon "caught" by Coach Sarkisian and
                        seafood processors
            6:40 a.m.   Salmon loaded into fish trucks

  RSVP:     To arrange event access, please contact Bobbie Egan by 11 a.m.
            on Thursday, May 14, 2009.


  Contact:    Bobbie Egan
             (206) 392-5134


  /PRNewswire -- May 12/

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SOURCE: Alaska Airlines