In an effort to reduce the ultimate expense associated with damage to the door of an aircraft coming into contact with the Passenger Boarding Bridge. Airport Mechanical Services, Inc. has developed a product for our company that will be of benefit to all airlines and airport authorities worldwide.

Alaska Airlines installed two Aircraft Door Detector / Warning Device systems in Passenger Boarding Bridges, as a test, in 2003. Both devices were monitored for a period of six months and Alaska experienced over 300 potential strikes on aircraft L1 doors at these gates. The two door detector's that were installed never malfunctioned, never received any complaints, and most important we never had a damaged door.

A damaged L-1 passenger door can cost as much as $180,000 to repair. Ultimately the lost revenue associated with an aircraft that is "Out of Rotation" while a door is being repaired can be significant. The Aircraft Door Detector / Warning Device is very affordable when you factor in the total possible expense associated with a single damaged door.

This year Alaska Airlines purchased 25 Aircraft Door Detector / Warning Device systems for installation in Passenger Boarding bridges we own and operate. We are convinced that this product will reduce the potential for damage to the L1 passenger doors on our aircraft.>

Rex A. Hicks, Supervisor
Alaska Airlines Aircraft Ground Support Services