Looks like airline safety is constantly improving! Southwest Airlines has just introduced a new aspect to one of its planes, and that is a second cockpit barrier for additional protection.
Ever since the 9/11 attacks, planes have reinforced cockpit doors to ensure that the flight deck is secure. However, Southwest airlines have went a step further and added an additional protection barrier that no other well-known U.S. airline has installed yet.
What Exactly Is a Second Barrier?
Generally, the door of the cockpit stays locked during flights. There are moments for when it needs to be opened, examples include if a pilot needs to use the restroom or grab a meal. During that short time, the flight deck is more vulnerable.
As a result of this, this is where the second barrier comes in. It is simply a retractable gate that pulled across. How does it work? Well, when the main door opens, the second barrier creates a safety buffer so that if anyone tried to push themselves into the cockpit in that moment, the second barrier would cause a distraction giving the crew time to close the main door.
Think of it as a safety screen door in front of the main door.
Why Did Southwest Do This First?
A second cockpit barrier is not a novel concept. Lawmakers and pilot organisations have pushed for it for years, claiming it fills a security void. In fact, a regulation requiring them to be included in every newly constructed aircraft in the U.S. was enacted by Congress in 2019.
But here’s the catch: that rule doesn’t apply to older planes already flying. Most airlines, like Delta and United, have only added barriers to their brand-new jets and haven’t gone back to retrofit the older ones.
Southwest decided to take the first step by testing it on an existing plane. This shows the airline is willing to go beyond the minimum requirements when it comes to safety.
What It Means for Passengers
This does not affect any travel routine and passengers probably won’t even notice it’s there unless you’re sitting at the front of the plane. Most of the time it stays folded away, and it’s only used briefly when the cockpit door opens.
The main benefit is peace of mind. The barrier provides an additional layer of security, even if significant security risks are uncommon these days. It somewhat improves flight safety without affecting the pleasure of passengers.
What Other Airlines Are Doing
Southwest is now the only significant American airline to install the barrier onto one of their older planes. Despite already facing obstacles on new planes being delivered under the 2019 law, American, United, and Delta are waiting to see how things work out.
The big question now is whether the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will eventually require all airlines to install barriers across their entire fleets, not just the new jets. Until then, it’s up to airlines to decide how far they want to go.
Final Thoughts
The decision that Southwest airlines has made to add a second barrier may seem like a minor update. However, it represents an important improvement in aviation safety. The barrier acts as an added layer of security especially when the main cockpit door is open. Even though most travellers will not notice this, it shows that Southwest is prioritising passenger safety.
This is a proactive step to offer additional peace of mind during flights. Next time you fly Southwest, that small gate near the cockpit is quietly protecting everyone on board. Be sure to check it out and rest assured that you are protected!