Kung fu helps cabin crew deal with troublesome passengers

By 황장진

Published : May 5, 2011 - 13:35

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Cabin crews from Hong Kong Airlines practise Wing Chun, a concept-based Chinese martial art or Kung Fu, during a lesson in Hong Kong Saturday, April 30, 2011. A Hong Kong airline makes all its cabin crews to take Wing Chun lessons as helping them to build the team spirit and to learn self-defense. (AP-Yonhap News)

Hong Kong Airlines cabin crew are attending kung fu lessons to help them handle drunk or disturbing passengers, according to reports.

The idea was suggested as about three cases of disruptive passengers were being reported every week.

Eva Chan, deputy general manager of corporate communication, offered an example of how the ancient Chinese martial art could help: “One of the passengers was sick but he was probably drunk and felt unwell. The crew member attended to him and she realized her fitness was helping her, especially because the guy was quite heavy.

“Normally, a female cabin crew can’t handle a fat guy, especially if he’s drunk, but because of the training, she can handle it quite easily,” she told the Sunday Morning Post.

The crews practice Wing Chun, a type of kung fu specially designed for women. It is said to be a perfect martial art to practice in small spaces like on airplanes.

One of its stewardesses said, “This is not for attacking passengers, but to protect myself as well as others in case of emergency.”

Katherine Chung, the trainer, said “it’s easy to learn but difficult to master.”

By Kang Yoon-seung
(koreacolin@gmail.com)
Intern reporter

<한글 요약>

女승무원, 쿵후로 진상 승객 '하이킥'

홍콩의 한 항공사가 승무원들에게 의무적으로 쿵푸를 교육시켜 화제다.

중국의 전통 무술이 기내 치한 및 진상 승객을 퇴치하는데 사용되는 셈이다. 홍콩 항공사에 따르면, 매 주 약 3건의 기내 난동 신고가 접수가 된다. 회사 관계자 Eva Chan씨에 따르면, 이러한 교육 방침은 벌써 효과를 보고 있다.

쿵푸를 연마한 여승무원들이 체중이 나가는 술 취한 남성을 쉽게 부축하여 안정을 취하게 했다는 것이다. Chan씨는 “일반적으로 여성들이 하기는 힘든 일”이라고 설명했다.

한 승무원은 “목적은 승객들을 공격하려고 하는 것이 아니라 유사시 나 자신과 다른 승객들을 보호하는데 있다”고 말했다.

이들이 연마하는 쿵푸는 ‘윙천’으로, 좁은 공간에서 여성들이 사용하기 용이한 무술이다.

Photos by AP-Yonhap News

Kung fu helps cabin crew deal with troublesome passengers

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