An air-bearing surface of a hard disk drive slider comprises a trailing edge wherein a magnetic transducer is coupled to the air-bearing surface. A leading edge is opposite from the trailing edge. A channel is coupled to the air-bearing surface wherein the channel comprises: a closure at a distal end proximal to the leading edge; a bottom surface; and a center of the channel approximately aligned colinear with a center of the magnetic transducer. In this configuration the channel generates significantly more negative pressure proximal to the leading edge thereby stiffening the air bearing during operation.