NEW YORK – Southwest Airlines has become the first U.S. carrier to fly a jet equipped with a federally mandated secondary barrier to its flight deck.
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The Boeing 737 MAX 8, delivered this week, departed Phoenix for Denver on Friday with the new safety feature in place.
The barrier, designed to block access to the cockpit whenever the reinforced door is open, has been sought for more than two decades following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Pilots’ unions say it adds a critical layer of protection for crews and passengers.
Boeing and Airbus confirmed they have started delivering planes with the barriers under a Federal Aviation Administration rule finalized in 2023 that took effect this week. The requirement will apply to all newly built commercial aircraft in the United States.
Southwest Airlines began Friday flying its first aircraft with a secondary barrier to the flight deck designed to prevent intrusions.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 which was delivered in recent days – took off Friday afternoon from Phoenix to Denver, the airline said.
Secondary barriers… pic.twitter.com/QR2btZGfd3
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The secondary barrier, means bupkis, since the pilots have to leave that area, to use the toilet. On the other hand, on all of the El Al aircraft, the cockpit crew has toilet facilities, within the cockpit area. Hence, the pilot and co-pilot never have to leave their assigned areas, during a flight.
All airline security was made necessary because of pro-Palestinian Islamic terrorist hijackings over the years, including those on 9/11.
And yet, some flight attendants want to wear pro-Palestine jewelry and scarfs. The irony is lost on them.
This has to be a joke — are we flying on a prison transport plane now? How much passenger space do they have to rip out just to make room for this stupid “law”?
Many planes have secondary doors which allow the pilots access to the bathroom while maintaining a security barrier. Maybe the point is that this is the first federally mandated production plane with this feature.
Seems super dangerous in an emergency – blocks one of the two major exits from the plane.