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The airline with the famous slogan, Want to get away
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is now showcasing a new safety feature, one that traces back to the aftermath of 9-11
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Southwest Airlines began flying planes equipped with the technology over the Labor Day weekend
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It's a fold-away retractable gate that blocks access to the cockpit when pilots step out
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like to use the restroom. Flight attendants can quickly deploy the barrier
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then retract it once the pilot returns, and the cockpit door is closed. Southwest spokesman Lynn Lunsford told Straight Arrow News
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quote, for Southwest, this was the right decision. We have a robust safety management system that
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takes a proactive approach when it comes to enhancing safety wherever possible. By year's
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end, Southwest expects to have more than two dozen planes with the barrier installed. Lunsford says
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flight attendants and pilots have already been trained to use it. Currently, most airlines rely
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on the flight attendants to block the front aisle with a beverage cart when the cockpit door is open
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In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration mandated secondary barriers for all new aircraft
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but older planes do not have to be retrofitted. Southwest confirmed, quote, every new aircraft we
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take delivery of will come off the line with this new feature installed, adding another layer of
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protection. The Airline Pilots Association has long called for stronger safety measures like this
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to protect both crews and passengers. For more unbiased updates, download the Straight Arrow News app or go to san.com
