The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is reintroducing of Crew Member Self-Defense (CMSD) training from early July, in response to growing incidents of unruly passengers.
A TSA spokesperson confirmed to Inflight that since it issued directives requiring masks in public transportation, it has initiated over 1,700 compliance investigations. Additionally, since 1 March, 2020, there have been more than 69 incidents involving TSA employees being physically assaulted.
“Through this training program, TSA’s Federal Air Marshals are able to impart their specialised expertise in defending against and deescalating an attack while in an aircraft environment,” said Darby LaJoye, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the TSA Administrator. “While it is our hope that flight crew members never have need for these tactics, it is critical to everyone’s safety that they be well-prepared to handle situations as they arise.”
The TSA CMSD Training Program furnishes certified instructors to provide flight crew members with effective defensive measure techniques for responding against an attacker in a commercial passenger or cargo aircraft. During the training, flight crew members learn to identify and deter potential threats, and if needed, apply the self-defense techniques against attackers. The voluntary four-hour training is offered to flight crew members free of charge and is held at 24 locations around the United States. All active flight crew members for domestic carriers are eligible to register for the training.
The program was previously paused due to COVID-19 restrictions.
