Method and apparatus for utilizing a tape leader in a tape drive system

A tape drive system, comprising:

• a housing, wherein the housing receives a data storage device, and wherein the housing positions the data storage device within the tape drive system for tape drive operation, and wherein the data storage device includes a first tape leader, a second tape leader, and a data storage media;
• a leader buckling mechanism;
• a tape drive take-up reel;
• and
• a drive reel leader, wherein the drive reel leader is attached to the tape drive take-up reel, and wherein the leader buckling mechanism buckles the first tape leader to the drive reel leader, threads the first tape leader and the second tape leader connected to the first tape leader through a tape path and across a tape head within the tape drive system using the drive reel leader, retracts head protect pins while the second tape leader is still in the tape path and across the tape head, and performs read/write operations on the data storage media that is coupled to the first tape leader via the second tape leader inserted between the first tape leader and the data storage media, and a thickness of the second tape leader is less than a thickness of a first tape leader/second tape leader interface and greater than a thickness of a data storage media/second tape leader interface, wherein the second tape leader includes a uniform taper from a first tape leader interface thickness to a data storage media thickness.

A tape drive system, comprising:

• a housing, wherein the housing receives a data storage tape, and wherein the housing positions the data storage tape within the tape drive system for tape drive operation, and wherein the data storage tape includes a first tape leader, a second tape leader, and a data storage media;
• a leader buckling mechanism;
• a tape drive take-up reel;
• and
• a drive reel leader attached to the tape drive take-up reel, and wherein the leader buckling mechanism buckles the first tape leader to the drive reel leader, threads the first tape leader and the second tape leader connected to the first tape leader through a tape path within the tape drive system using the drive reel leader, and performs read/write operations on the data storage media that is coupled to the first tape leader via the second tape leader inserted between the first tape leader and the data storage media, and the second tape leader includes a uniform taper from a first tape leader interface/second tape leader thickness to a data storage media thickness.