ST:

Alaska Air Group reported a record third-quarter profit Thursday.

The Seattle-based air carrier posted a profit of $122.4 million, or $3.32 a share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, up nearly 40 percent from $87.6 million, or $2.46 a share, in the year-earlier period.

I will always be surprised by the fact that Alaska Air is based in Seattle, Washington. It's a surprise that's just two steps down from the one in connection with the name of Salt Lake City's professional basketball team.