Web transport system including fluid shield

A web transport system for transporting a web of media along a web-transport path, the web of media having a width in a cross-track direction from a first edge to a second edge, comprising:

• a fluid bar disposed along the web-transport path and spanning the width of the web of media, the web of media being guided as the web of media passes the fluid bar with a first surface of the web of media facing an exterior bearing surface of the fluid bar, wherein a liquid is pumped through holes in the bearing surface of the fluid bar and into a region between the first surface of the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar, thereby pushing the web of media away from the fluid bar, and wherein the fluid bar is not submerged in a liquid, the fluid bar having a first end proximate to the first edge of the web of media and a second end proximate to the second edge of the web of media;
• and
• first and second fluid shields positioned proximate to the first and second ends of the fluid bar, respectively, the first and second fluid shields being positioned to redirect fluid that is ejected from the region between the first surface of the web of media and the bearing surface of the fluid bar along the first and second edges of the web of media, respectively.