Abstract: A mechanism(10) arms, disarms, and activates an airplane emergency evacuation system having a slide with one end connected to a girt bar (16). The mechanism includes floor fittings (18) mountable below and at each edge of the airplane door (14). Each floor fitting includes a base (32) defining a notch (40) for receiving the girt bar and a pawl (42) mounted to the base. The pawl rotates relative to the base from a locked position preventing removal of the girt bar from the notch, and to an unlocked position permitting removal of the girt bar. Support fittings (20) mountable to the door, engages the floor fittings when the door is closed and locked. A first jaw (58) extends downwardly to one side of the notch, and faces generally towards the notch from the support fitting. First and second linkage members (60) and (70) connect to one another and rotatably mount to the support fitting. A second jaw (94) extends from the second linkage member and faces generally towards the first jaw.