Mandatory Flight Attendant Training

[Pacificshore]

I've read the Pros and Cons about mandatory flight attendant martial arts training on another board. So, what do any of you think about this topic? I'm not referring to a weekend training seminar either, but actually making it a constant thing.

Do you think it would help or hinder a possible hijacking? Even with Air Marshalls on board, how many think that the lone Air Marshall can effectively take out multiple suspects without assistance?

Thanks in advance

[LilBunnyRabbit]

As a constant thing its definitely a good idea, for anyone, not just flight attendants. If the training was good it couldn't really do anything but help hinder hijackers.

[SaiMaster]

Even before 9/11 with the rise in "air rage" there was allready a need for some type of an ongoing training program.

[dragon_duplicat]

Yes. It shouldn't have taken 9/11 before they realized we need a type of ongoing training program.

[Andy Murray]

If we're honest with ourselves, we will be uncertain if all our MA training would have made a difference in these situations. What chance then would a small crash course make to Air Personnel.

I had a bottle opener confiscated at an airport in Germany recently, yet only today I read of a guy who flew into the UK from Spain with a full Chefs knife set in his hand luggage.

Someone needs to tighten up airport security. Internal, or external flights.

I gotta fly on Sep 11th this year, and I'm not looking forward to it.

[Jim]

A sad thing I know re: 9/11 but when it comes to terrorism you are in effect aiding the terrorist if you alter your normal lifestyle to compensate for them.

Act with as much good will and humour that you can muster and you are doing them more damage that 100 B-52 bombers ever could.

[pgm316]

You can't expect all flight attendants to change there job description to include air security. And as you know a small amount of training is likely to be next to useless anyway.

Although if some people are prepared to train in martial arts it would be valuable. Then a hijacker wouldn't know if they we're tackling somebody that was well trained in martial arts or someone that couldn't fight there way out of a paper bag.

Andy made a good point, airport security is the vital point. Once somebody is onboard with weapons all the above preperation is pretty much wasted.

:Angel:

[darlph]

Did you know that when some self defense people are on board a plane now they are considered to be guards. Undercover of course. They can't be over I believe 45. They can be called on in time of need.
I truly believe that in this day and age that all people in the travel industry should have some level of defense tactics and trained in possible terrorist or hostage hijack what ever you want to call it. A seminar at a hotel or convention center is not the answer. They should be physically fit to do their jobs so why not add the training once a year? With a 6 month review? They are in charge of the people, so they should be able to protect their charges. Of course an older person won't be able to bodyslam but what about learning deflection Just a thought

[pgm316]

How does it work with the martial artists on planes?? Is a martial arts person supposed to notify the airline before they board, or is there more too it?

I could imagine it causing more harm than good without more specific training.

[Melanie]

When I went to Scotland on the last occassion, I forgot about my nail scissors being in my hand luggage...so they were confiscated :(

I remember saying to them..."Hey! I'm a martial artist! My hands are lethal...you going to take them too?" I don't think they took me seriously though. :(

[waya]

I don't believe it is required, but I generally speak to the flight attendants when I board an aircraft letting them know that I will help if needed, not only with self defense related issues but also any emergency medical issues that may arise. To me it's just a matter of being there so if something needs doing I might as well do it if I can.

Rob

[HKD]

sure they should B trained, some one on board should B. i think we need not arm the pilots, there should B as few guns on board a possable if U ask me. maybe stun guns, or just give every one a gun when they board the ship.

sean

[darlph]

In answer to pgm316, I believe you would need to go through security. The way I found out was through Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, he was discussing the age requirements. He's too old.
That's pretty much the jist of it. Other than the person has to go through paperwork city and security checks themselves to even be considered.

[Spike]

Aw, does Mel feel hurt that the bad airport men weren`t scared of her?

[Freeform]

Aw, did the bad airport men take her stix?

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Flood the main cabin with sleeping gas on take-off and wake everyone up when you land. Doesn't really matter what people carry then.

[darlph]

You know, I don't think that would work. Be a good try though. I know that when I teach my little guys, that I'm responsible for their safety. So why shouldn't any Flight Attendents? We are at their mercy while stuck in the plane 5000 feet up.
I boarded a plane in 2000 with my stix and sparring gear in my carryon. They didn't open anything except I beeped and had to show them through my pants, my knee brace. Now if that was a knife......................... today, that would not have been allowed. Why I fly now I wear my nylon and change into my real brace as soon as I get there. My stix are in my checkin. I carry my purse and cd player on and that's it.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

You're responsible for their safety because you're in loco parentis, since they are meant to be unable to safely take care of themselves. If someone tries to hijack a plane with a knife I'm more willing to trust in my chances of stopping them than in a Flight Attendant's, whether they're trained or not.

[darlph]

That's not quite what I meant. You're on a plane and supposedly everyone has been searched for weapons, right? We believe we are safe. I don't fly in 1st class so if something happens up there and I have an 70 year old grandma in the aisle seat next to me......................? I do agree I will take my chances if I had to. WE fly in groups and we're pretty tight so a distraction would help. What I believe should be done is training in how to handle these situations. Defend themselves against an attack by gu or knife...... But oh, of course, these terrorist hi-jackers fly six to a plane and use the same credit card on all flights they plan to hi-jack...Shouldn't that have lit a lightsomewhere if it wasn't a corporate card. You know in reality, the scene will play out with a possibility of several variations. You don't know till it happens.

I wish this nation of the United States a quiet memorial day on 9/11.

[Freeform]

Yeah, but how many of us have gone on a last minute holiday and one of your mates has said 'I'll get the tickets, just pay me back'?

THEY'RE TERRORISTS, GET THEM

Also, the computers that they use aren't that suffisticated.

Thanx

[pgm316]

We do need to be more prepared. The problem is this often leads to people panicking and overreacting to situations. A while back a man was removed from an aeroplane after some hysteria. The only reason being, he was Arab looking and reading an “Islamic newspaper”. He turned out to be a totally innocent man.

A female reporter from New York justified the reaction by saying they should all be converted to Christianity because you don’t see Christians flying plaines into buildings. Maybe true, but personally I won’t change my religious beliefs for anybody.

One thing that would help this situation would be seeing more “Islamic” people condemn the acts of the extremists. News reports on the whole have been very one sided and have caused a lot of this hysteria.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

No, Christians just blow up buses. Ban the Christians from the buses.

And don't forget schoolchildren. Schoolchildren have planted bombs in schools before, ban them from the schools!

With a large Muslim community in my town we get a lot of coverage of condemnation of the attacks. Unfortunately there's a small handful of teenagers who go around saying how much they love Osama bin Laden, and how all the white people should be killed. They're just as bad as the gangs that go around and attack Muslims.

[darlph]

Now you're getting into religion. I could say the Christians slaughtered thousands of Native American for religion. It has nothing to do with the question . It's not the beleifs.. it's the people using it.
Yes we need more training, Yes we need to be prepared, yes we need better security system in out transit systems.
Sure people are scared and paranoid. And those that are for the madman should go live over there and then find out how much they truly had.
The media needs to show both sides more. It just happens that bad things make the news more often.

[pgm316]

Unfortunately, religion has already been brought into it. As it all too often has been throughout the course of history, as you pointed out. It’s the image people have of terrorists. And this has only been magnified by media coverage.

[morphus]

Imagine all the people.....living life in peace,
you may say.....i'm a dreamer,
but i'm not the only one,
i hope some day you'll join us...
and the world.....will live as one.

John Lennon 1940 - 1980
Shot in the back!!!!!!!!!!!!

[darlph]

Morphus, it's funny, that song I have been humming all day long.
You know, it's funny, our religions teach us to cherish life and turn the other cheek, ecetera. Then you get some egotist and it gets turned around. Sad. But in their religion any one who is not of same is lower than dirt what a conflicting view.

[morphus]

Sucks don't it.

[darlph]

I guess that's why the leaders have the power and $$ and us peons don't. We must be expendable. I do not think so!!!
But I really do think that it's a shame that we haven't heard from anyone in the travel business what their views are. There are so many on this forum with vast differences in occupations.

All we are saying..............is give PEACE a chance. (and that was a good song in Billy Jack) Beatles

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Actually as a mass we do have power. If someone could organise the majority, or even a large minority (say a quarter) of the the people in the country to refuse to do anything until the government did what we said then there'd be absolutely nothing they could do.

On another line, third Choi school opening was performed yesterday, these two in Birmingham whereas the others were in Dorset. I believe that the next one is in Sheerwater.

Plus - drunken fighting in a phone box with friend has just been completed. And I'm £1.90 up from poker as well.

[darlph]

You know we do have a power if people could get together and honestly and actually work together. Something has got to spur them on. Other than the 9/11 event we have everyone up in arms for terrorists and child stealers.
Seriously though, I truly do believe that anyone who is in any kind of public transit system related field should have some training and I do believe that schools should start a more involved self defense program for all children. And I don"t mean a 1 hour seminar with no hands on once a year.
I wish we didn't have to worry about others harming out loved ones, but....................?