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Self Defense?

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 6:10 pm
by CMGUY89
I know we had sort of discussed this in another thread but I felt like it warranted a separate thread. If a guest is coming towards you with a clear intention of harming you what would you do?
A. Take it
B. Strike First
C. Use a non-violent restraint method

I am thinking C because I saw a youtube video of a couple SCREAMING at each other at the MK Monorail station and when the CM tries to intervene the wife makes an advance on him. It looks like the cm took her hands and held them behind her back. Not in a way that would hurt her, but as defense. Do you think a CM could be termed for that? I am sure it is an "unwelcome touch" which in Florida constitutes assault, but if it was used in self-defense what do you think???

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:30 pm
by Big Wallaby
If you were going to defend yourself, or even stop them physically, you would have to let them swing first (with plenty of people who don't know them and hopefully a camera watching) so that when they came back and sued the company and you personally, you would have a fighting chance at not paying them for their idiocy.

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:40 pm
by Zazu
There's also a fourth alternative -- RUN!

Even if they chase you, you can run backstage, and there you can defend yourself.

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 10:49 pm
by dash1bravo
Big Wallaby wrote:If you were going to defend yourself, or even stop them physically, you would have to let them swing first (with plenty of people who don't know them and hopefully a camera watching) so that when they came back and sued the company and you personally, you would have a fighting chance at not paying them for their idiocy.
Not in the Great State of Florida. You guys have an almost brand-new Castle Doctrine on the books which essentially states that everyone has the right to defend themselves if they legitimately feel threatened at home, at work or out in public without any prerequisite to attempt a retreat first. This includes the use of deadly force.

Not sure how it would play out in a civil suit but my guess is that it'd be hard to find a jury in Florida who'd award any damages to a critter intent on doing you any sort of physical harm. Might adversely affect your career trajectory if it happened on company time but then there's a strong argument that it's better to be unemployed and alive than dead and up for promotion.

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:05 am
by mechurchlady
5. waddle away fast if I was a CM.

As a guest I would stand still and scream bloody murder but of course you will be labeled a pain and booted from the park. Been harrassed in park and that was not fun.

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:24 am
by goofyjoe
You may just want to grab a stroller near the top of the Land ramp and coast down just as fast as you can. But then, that wouldn't be good show :p:

Seriously, though, I think Zazu's "run backstage" idea is good. Once you're there, you have the advantage of knowing exactly where to go, and (theoretically) security would be able to stop him from getting very far backstage.

(I did KTTK at MK and I was under the impression that security going backstage was pretty heavy. We had to wear our special security lanyards at all times and such. I'm assuming it's similar at other parks.)

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:21 am
by CMGUY89
goofyjoe wrote:You may just want to grab a stroller near the top of the Land ramp and coast down just as fast as you can. But then, that wouldn't be good show :p:

Seriously, though, I think Zazu's "run backstage" idea is good. Once you're there, you have the advantage of knowing exactly where to go, and (theoretically) security would be able to stop him from getting very far backstage.

(I did KTTK at MK and I was under the impression that security going backstage was pretty heavy. We had to wear our special security lanyards at all times and such. I'm assuming it's similar at other parks.)
HAHAH!!! Thanks for that one ;) As for security going backstage: There generally isn't any except for other CM's. If they see a plainclothes person back there they will usually question you. Their are so many backstage entrances that it is impossible for security to cover them.

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:34 pm
by GRUMPY PIRATE
Zazu wrote:There's also a fourth alternative -- RUN!

Even if they chase you, you can run backstage, and there you can defend yourself.
Very good advice!! If you are not versed in how to protect yourself! It also does what I always tell people, GET HELP! It would call attention that something is not right, and others could assist you! (plus later, if it got to a courtroom situation "Your honor, I tried to run away, but he/she kept coming, so I him him/her with a handy stroller, knocking them down")

(don't mention that you jumped up and down on them a few times!) (hehehehe)

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 2:52 pm
by drcorey
I can see it now, when princesses attack.

Re: Self Defense?

Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:07 pm
by CMGUY89
I agree. While there are a lot of SGs out there their are also a lot of smart ones as well. I am sure they wouldn't just stand there and watch someone attack a cm.