The Basics

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Law Enforcement / Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS) is sponsoring a voluntary Crew Member Self Defense Training (CMSDT) program available to any actively employed flight or cabin crew member.

The video below is a low resolution copy of a CMSDT promotional outreach DVD produced by the FAMS Distance Learning Branch, dated April 1, 2009.  It gives a brief summary of what to expect from the one day training session.  The video may be viewed in full-screen mode by right clicking on the screen and choosing the “Go Full Screen” option.

This crew member self defense training has undergone some changes.  Originally, the program was three days of hands-on training.  The new program is a one-day hands-on training (8 hours).  According to the new TSA CMSDT website Overview, the training

is available to all actively employed or temporarily furloughed U.S. carrier crew members. The program is delivered at more than twenty sites nation-wide, both at community college and Federal Air Marshal locations throughout the country. Crew members are encouraged to register to attend this one-day “hands-on” training at one of the more than twenty participating training sites. CMSDT is provided at no cost and crew members are welcome to attend the training as often as desired.

While AFA still believes it imperative that carriers provide an effective hands-on training for our flight attendants, very few carriers are taking the initiative to provide this much needed training, so it is important that AFA members receive information about this TSA program.  For further information, AFA members are encouraged to review the Registration Information and Training Locations, Dates, and Contact Information available on the TSA website.

References to News Articles

Defense Training Goes Begging for Airline Crews; Del Quentin Wilber; Washington Post; Saturday, April 28, 2007.

More Information

Please refer to the TSA CMSDT website for full program information and training dates.