Comments on: Flight Attendants Learn Karate! Fight Back!!

By: Matt Klein

Matt Klein — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:44:41 +0000

Perhaps us martial artists could offer our services as “air martials”, excuse the pun, and get a free upgrade. Would not be able to get into the Moet Chandon stash, however. I would be glad to to it.

By: Stevendev Home Protection

Stevendev Home Protection — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 03:05:51 +0000

Do they let Flight Attendants carry stun guns and pepper spray?

By: CombatSkills.net

CombatSkills.net — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:45:44 +0000

I suggest that flight attendants should carry non-lethal, non-destructive weapons, such as pepper spray, and be trained to use them. They should also be taught simple, effective attacks and the pressure points to strike for maximum results.

By: TheMartialArtsReporter

TheMartialArtsReporter — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:23:14 +0000

Hi John,
That’s a really good post and reminder to all of us.
Whether we have been doing martial arts for decades
or simply very focused goal-oriented self-defense
training.
I think it’s good that flight crews are getting the
training (finally). It also increases awareness of
situations before they escalate. IMHO that’s an
important part of self-defense.
I also whole-heartedly agree with you that the more
are trained the better for all of us to fight the bad
guys.
Our chances to beat them every time they show their
ugly heads have just increased significantly.
Cheers,
TheMartialArtsReporter
.-= TheMartialArtsReporter´s last blog ..My Conversation With My Filipino-American Barber – Revisited =-.

By: Dr. J

Dr. J — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:46:20 +0000

I saw this and of course with my background in the martial arts and being a pilot found it interesting. Originally, flight attendants were RN’s, and now this. The world is crazy, no? I have imagined if sitting next to a passenger in my four seat plane that became violent, using a good side kick to help them out the door, exit stage right
.-= Dr. J´s last blog ..Lab Notes: Market for Cholesterol Drug Expands; Net Surfing May Be Detrimental to Your Health =-.

By: Zara

Zara — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:15:14 +0000

I just watched the video about the flight crew self-defense training and honestly it’s quite ridiculous: do you really think you’re going to stop a determined individual (let alone several hijackers) who probably underwent extensive training and who is basically willing to die to achieve his aim and achieve martyrdom with just a single day of training? I don’t care how good or experienced those instructors are but those ladies will probably forget everything they’ve learned once the shit hits the fan and freeze up or break down and be overpowered easily. Hell it took me years to develop an automatic response to attacks & a sense of killer-instinct and my sensei surely wasn’t a dunce, how on earth are you going to develop those reflexes with mere hours worth of training, even if they take the course a few times. We’re not talking about teaching someone to hit a few times and then run away screaming: we’re talking about close-range combat and physically defeating a motivated, trained person who has no qualms about killing you to achieve his mission. If terrorists are intent on taking over an airliner or blowing it up with some kind of explosive and they can’t have access to weapons you bet they’re going to train their asses off in unarmed combat and they’re going to make short work of those would-be warriors and friendly flight attendants. But then again this course covers it all and will turn these peace-loving men and women into true warriors, I quote: “this program is designed to better protect crewmembers in all aspects of their lives. In this class you will learn everything from proper stance when performing self-defense techniques up to and including how to deal with an attacker intent on using deadly force.” Since I can’t seem to put this into italics I’m going to repeat it: “up to and including how to deal with an attacker intent on using deadly force.” Please, I can’t believe he could say that with a straight face: they’re claiming to be able to teach anyone how to survive deadly violence in a matter of hours, even with follow-up classes? This is completely unrealistic and utter nonsense and anyone buying into this crap is an idiot, plain and simple.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m a big fan of self-defense training and it certainly can’t hurt but to expect this to be a solution or even the beginning to a solution to a worldwide, very complex and immensely threatening problem is ludicrous and up in the clouds wishful thinking. It’s just a boost to moral, that’s all it is and it’s not going to make international airline traffic one bit safer. What you’d need to stop a real terrorist threat (not some weirdo making a ruckus) are trained men up there who are experienced in violence, preferably armed with knives or other close-combat tools if using firearms is deemed too dangerous. It’d be a better bet to send those instructors up there instead of relying on civilians who clearly aren’t fighters and aren’t trained for the job. Most of all people should be screened properly and no individual suspected of Islamic extremism or ties to any type of violent or revolutionary movement should be allowed anywhere near an airfield let alone on a plane. Hell, if they’re known terrorists and there’s no doubt it that they are dangerous and indeed plan on bringing destruction to the western world then shoot the bastards wherever you find them (if you can’t arrest them). Just don’t expect your average flight attendant or pilot to stop them, not unless his name happens to be Steven Seagal or Matt Damon.

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:36:05 +0000

Learning a martial art gives you confidence and skill to handle things that get thrown at you in the world. Most women do not want to take the time to defend themselves. They have too many other things going on in their lives.

However, you really have to take some sort of defense program. At least you will have something to work off of in a tough situation.

Practice is the key and repetition of movements is critical. You can’t learn everything in a quick course and you probably do not have the time to take a full blown out course. Just take some training!
.-= Pat´s last blog ..Self Defense Training updated Sat Mar 27 2010 1:40 am CDT =-.