Passenger traffic on two SeaTac-based air carriers, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, fell again in May as the recession cut business and pleasure travel worldwide.

Alaska reported its traffic was down 7.5 percent in May compared with May 2008. That decrease compares with a 6.3 percent decrease in capacity.

At Alaska's sister regional carrier, Horizon, business dropped 15.1 percent in May compared with May last year.
Capacity decreased by 12.9 percent in the same time period.

With traffic falling faster than the airlines can reduce flights, the two airlines' planes were less full last month that in the same month of 2008.

Alaska filled 76.8 percent of its seats with paying passengers last month compared with 77.8 percent in the same month last year.

At Horizon, 71.7 percent of seats were full in May. That compares with 73.6 percent in May 2008.

All of you in the Sonic drive-in fan club take heart. The second Puget Sound Sonic location may soon be under construction in Bonney Lake.

That's the word from local Sonic owner David Orem. Orem says he's hoping to pick up the building permits for his second South Sound location this week. He hopes to begin construction on Monday.

The new Sonic site is on a pad near the new Lowe's store.

The first Puget Sound Sonic opened on Meridian in Puyallup April 27 to huge queues of cars waiting for service.

The Oklahoma City-based hamburger chain features roller skating car hops, real limeades and carside ordering.

Orem says he's also narrowing his search for a Tacoma site. He's down to two now. He plans to pick between them for the first Tacoma Sonic soon.

The Chrysler Group and Fiat have agreed to honor the "Lemon Law" rights of buyers when the new company takes control of the U.S. automaker, the state Attorney Generals office reports today.

"The Lemon Law provides important protections for consumers whose new vehicles have recurring problems," said Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna.

The new Chrysler Group will honor those rights for vehicles sold or leased prior to the closure of the 'old' Chrysler, McKenna said.

Washington's Lemon Law allows consumers having trouble with their new cars to request an arbitration hearing through the AG's office. If the car is a lemon, then they may either have it replaced or bought back by the manufacturer.

The law sets up conditions to determine which cars qualify.

"Not only does this agreement help consumers, but increased consumer confidence means more sales benefiting the company and its workers," McKenna said.

Chrysler filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and is being bought by the Italian car maker Fiat.

Puget Sound Energy is offering something of a solution to those pesky high energy bills in the winter (and also those delightfully low bills in summer).

To help even the pain, the utility is encouraging customers to use budget payment plans – in addition to available assistance programs and energy-efficiency measures – to help manage their energy costs during this economic downturn and eventual recovery.

"Recognizing the current economic downturn, combined with the winter heating season that extended well into spring, PSE is urging our customers during the summer months to take advantage of our programs to pay and reduce their energy bills year round," said Bert Valdman, executive vice president and chief operating officer, in a release today.

The utility is encouraging electric and natural gas customers to enroll in the PSE budget payment plan by calling 888-225-5773 or contacting PSE online at www.PSE.com. More than 10 percent of PSE’s residential customers already participate.

Customers on the plan pay a predetermined amount each month, based on their previous electric or natural gas usage history, PSE said in the release. Over the course of the year, customers pay the same amount they would without the plan, but it is spread evenly among 12 monthly payments. PSE reviews actual usage periodically adjusts the average monthly amount, if necessary.

PSE also encourages income-eligible households needing help paying their spring heating bills to apply for energy-assistance. Approximately $7 million in help is still available with this year’s expanded funding of the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, and from PSE’s Home Energy Lifeline Program, or HELP. Both programs are administered by nonprofit community service agencies in each of the 11 counties PSE serves.

During the 2008-2009 winter heating season, PSE said, nearly 22,000 households received $18.5 million in bill-payment assistance. "In light of the economic difficulties many families in our service area are facing, it’s heartening to note that this year’s increased funding has already helped 8,000 more households pay their heating bills compared to a year ago," said Valdman.

Customers of Tacoma Power who are interested in a program similar to the cost-balancing initiative at PSE may call 253-502-8600 and ask about the Budget Billing Program.

A Red Robin restaurant – scheduled to open in early July at 10311 Gravelly Lake Drive SW, in the Lakewood Towne Center – is ready to hire 100 employees.

Red Robin is a casual dining chain featuring larger-than-life gourmet burgers, bottomless steak fries and kid-friendly menu items.

“We’re looking for team members who can offer great guest service in a kid- and family-friendly restaurant,” said Darren Donahue, general manager of the Lakewood Red Robin restaurant. “Our goal at every Red Robin® restaurant is to cultivate and maintain an in-restaurant environment that inspires upbeat and respectful team members, allowing us to put our guests’ needs first.”

The 5,858-square-foot building will fit the family atmosphere – and decor with birthday balloons and life-size robin statues – of the chain's 400 locations in the United State and Canada.

For information regarding employment, visit the new location or call the Red Robin recruitment line at 253-588-2888.