Drag from media sensor (80) of a printer is eliminated by it being pivoted through a slip connection off of pivoted media feed system (19) to briefly contact papers. The pivoted media feed is then moved in reverse a limited amount at which a rotatably biased member (94) moves ledge (94a) of the member to face abutment surface (92a) of the media sensor. Media feed system 19 is then moved back to drive media while the media sensor is blocked from movement and the slip connection simply slips. After the media is fed, the media feed system is moved away a longer amount while the media sensor is blocked against for the same movement by an abutment (110) in the printer. The media feed system after the longer movement moves a lever (94f) of the biased member and rotates the ledge to free the media sensor to again move to the media.