"...be forwarned... doing stuff like this is a quick way to build a reputation as someone NOT to be fooled with."

Not TWICE, anyway! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sue

Nasty people come from all races, colors and creeds (and so do nice people!)

Historically speaking, haven't Christians had their share of "senseless" bloodshed? Crusades and Inquisitions anyone?

You know, after the knee strike Sue mentioned, it's always nice (or not so nice) to rake the outer edge of your foot down the BG's shin on the way to a nice foot stomp. I've kicked enough elbows and knees with the top of my foot to know how sensitive that area is. And even practicing the shin rake at a slow speed can make a person limp a little!

Some items that sould be readily available on most flights:
hot coffee in the face
very tightly rolled up magazine or newspaper
sock with coins
laptop thrown at face (distraction at least, but full impact could be nasty)
laptop power cable used as a whip or garrot - add weight to end for more damage (even a DC Converter is heavy enough to hurt badly)
unopened can of pop (as projectile)
broken off suitcase handle
flashlight
fire extinguisher
aerosol cans like hairspray (perhaps with lighter, but not recommended in a confined and falmmable space)
heavily laden purse or pack swung at face or weapon in hand

Some tactics:
Work in teams
Attack knees, throats, groins and eyes
Distractions in multiples - draw away attention (scream!), scald, throw projectile or whip, and then do bodily harm to disable
hold roll of coins or solid object when punching
take advantage of any situation and strike when the opportunity presents itself - it may not come again

Start learning self defense or even better - martial arts.

There's an awful lot of weapons around you every day - just look around. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Like any other kind of survival, knowledge is probably more important than gear. If you're concerned about the situation then learn a bit. Once you've learned something you can improvise something suitable to your techniques if you have the time. A Cross pen can either make nasty punctures or be a great pressure point device, depending on your base of knowledge. Of course, good enough and *RIGHT NOW* is usually better than a cool improv 60 seconds from now.

Weekend seminars can teach you a few tricks (a few *very useful* tricks) but getting those tricks slighly wrong can be worse than not knowing them in the first place. If you're really interested in prepartion you need repetition and practice such as can be found in martial arts schools and the like.

Remember when you're preparing that you're more likely to deal with a drunk than a terrorists so you want to know how to *not* kill someone.

Moving to specifics, if you want to control someone in an airplane asile you probably want to stay away from Aikido and Tae Kwon Do. Both of these arts can be cool but they're rather designed for more open areas. Jujitsu (traditional Japanese, not Brazilian) or similar joint locking/pressure point style would probably be best if you can find a good school. Karate would probably be a good middle ground.

I studied Tae Kwon Do for over 20 years. It's a great sport and is full of solid self defense training, atleast at the advanced level (contrary to popular belief) but it is definitely not the right kind of training for self defense in confined spaces. Hapkido would not be bad for those purposes and some TKD schools (the ones focused more on defense and less on sport and fitness) also teach Hapkido since it is also a Korean art.

HI guys and gals from the UK,

I have trained in Krav Maga, a total self defence system devised by the Isreali defence force, and widely used by some of your law enforcement organisations. It is excellent, and quickly developed. It's NOT a martial art, so non of the wooly stuff that comes with it, just pure defence against attack. It does exactly what it says on the tin

Second vote for Krav. My instructor has played with plane,bus and train scenarios. The biggest problems are lack of room and unwillingness of other passengers to get involved - the 'Don't upset them' mindset..

My daughter has worked out that airlines will allow her to wear her favourite chopsticks in her hair AND allow a pencil sharpener in her pencil case.

Like Dewey said a Cross pen or a Rotring is also a useful tool, espcially for filling the green card on the flight

Good ideas! Being a redneck, I love pork rinds! Might get me more elbow room!

Where would one get training in Krav Maga?
bonus points if its in the state of VA