A thrust reverser (30) of a gas turbine engine (10) includes a blocker door (36) and a plurality of cascades (38). The thrust reverser (30) and the blocker door (36) have a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position the blocker door (36) "leaks" airflow therethrough without generating substantial forward thrust. The leaked airflow reduces the amount of total airflow that must be accommodated by the cascades (38) of the thrust reverser (30), thereby decreasing the overall size of the cascades (38) and of the associated thrust reverser hardware and subsequently reducing the overall weight thereof.