Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
The galley carts are coming out of their storage area due to insufficient length of the locking mechanism.  Locks on galley carts are too short to secure carts within the storage area during takeoff and landing.  Installed locks fail to function properly.
Reporter stated he is a Line Captain and Check Airman.  Some of the B737-400 aircraft his Air Carrier has acquired only have the short 'Red' blade type galley locks installed; apparently because the previous operator did not use galley carts on their flights.  His company is waiting for an Engineering approval from Boeing to install the longer 'Red' bladed type locks at the end of the forward and aft galley countertops; next to the shorter locks; which is the standard two-lock set-up for domestic B737 aircraft.  Until approval is received; Flight Attendants are positioning the galley carts in the storage compartment with the cart doors facing in during takeoffs and landings to prevent supplies from coming out.
Galley carts are coming out of the storage compartment during takeoffs and landings due to insufficient length of the locking mechanism.