MY BIO

I joined Qantas as an apprentice ground engineer, now called aircraft technicians in the US, in the Golden Age of the airlines. That is, when one could join a major airline and not only expect to have a job for ones life, but also anticipate bountiful benefits and salary that was the envy of other industries. At the end of my first tenure with Qantas, I had been promoted to ground school instructor, a job that I took basically as a stepping stone to getting off the floor.

After persistently applying for the position of flight engineer at every airline in the southern hemisphere, I was getting nowhere and finally getting adjusted to the fact that my career was not going to take to the air, so to speak, when I received a call from TransAustralia Airlines (TAA). The next day I interviewed and two weeks later was on a flight engineer course in Melbourne.

It was while living in Melbourne that I became interested in martial arts and joined the local Zen Do Kai club. I took to it like a duck to water, savoring not just the regimen of physical training, but the psychological benefits it afforded me. Being proficient in the art of self defense boosted my self esteem and confidence. Within a few short years I had earned the rank of brown belt. Then TAA transferred me to its Brisbane base.

The Zen Do Kai club in Brisbane I subsequently joined had divergent training methodology to the one I had frequented in Melbourne. Instead of being traditional, the style practiced was more street-fighting oriented. For example, my sensei teacher at the time was fond of saying, "Spinning kicks won't help you when you are on the street, wearing leather-soled shoes and standing in gravel. You'll just end up on your arse." He advocated short, hybrid kicks that kept a persons center of gravity low and which softened, rather than defeated an opponent. Not pretty, but effective. I took notice of him because he had the aura and reputation of being one who knew first hand. He also taught kick boxing and I participated in that sport with vigor also. He asked me one night whether I was interested in training to fight in the ring. I replied that I wasn't but felt honored that he thought me proficient enough to give it a try. Within two years, I was ready for my black belt grading. At least, I thought I was

My black belt grading consisted of a warm up routine of one hundred pushups, one hundred sit-ups, thirty spinning kicks and various other techniques. After that I performed katas routines of attack and defense moves that are designed to heighten focus, demonstrate techniques and develop concentration. One of these katas is performed with maximum effort given to flexing every muscle in the body during every technique. To be certain that I was maintaining maximum tension, one of the other black belts came and punched me full force in the stomach. The blow was hard enough to raise gasps of surprise from the rest of the club members who were watching my grading, but luckily I bore it well and was allowed to continue.

After finisheing my katas, my sensei announced that I would have to spar fifteen, three-minute rounds with various members of the club. My first opponent was a young woman who was renown for her incredible flexibility. It was not uncommon to see her with her body pressed to a wall during training with one leg stretching up vertically above her head. As we sparred I performed a spinning wheel kick and struck her hard in the side of her breast. Once again the crowd murmured in anticipation. Striking a senior rank with such ferocity would usually bring down the wrath of that person, but in this case, my opponent did not respond with more than a nod to my mumbled apology. I was relieved.

I fought eight or nine rounds vigorously, but my endurance and accuracy were waning. During a bout with a brown belt, I misjudged my distance and knocked him to the floor. I anxiously looked at my sensei as he had the power to stop my grading there and then for my transgression.

I gulped and said, "I think he slipped sensei."

My sensei looked to the brown belt sitting on the floor for any objection. The brown belt agreed with me that he had slipped, so my sensei ignored the red welt on the side of the brown belt's face and allowed the bout to continue. Unfortunately, I made the same slip with one of the young black belts. I hit him hard in the face and he staggered. Instead of crying foul, he responded with a jumping front kick that hit me full force in the mid-section. I went down fast and lie there unable to catch my breath. My sensei came over and stood above me and shouted, "Shake it off! Get up or I'll end your grading right now!"

It took every ounce of strength I had to get off the floor and continue my bouts, but I had come too far to quit. I staggered to my feet and continued to fight. Before I knew it, my sensei announced that I had completed fifteen rounds and that I should squat on the floor and await his pronouncement. I did as he requested. All the black belts conferred with my sensei.

After several minutes, my sensei came over, stood in front of me and said that I would have to fight another five rounds. I couldnt believe it! I had given my all and didnt have an ounce of strength left. I felt sure that I had passed, why did I need to fight more? Instead of whining, I got to my feet.

"I think you know what these rounds are for," he said.

It was then that I realized that I was being given the chance to earn the right to wear a black uniform, the sign of strength, and the coveted Bushido Cross. To this day I don't know how I completed those last five bouts, but somewhere deep inside I mustered the resolve to continue. I remember that I could barely feel my arms as I had taken so many blows on them defending myself from kicks and other strikes. I fought from pure will and determination not to quit. And then, at last, it was over.

That night, I received my black belt, earned the right to wear a black uniform, and was awarded the privilege of being able to bear a Bushido Cross, the sign of the warrior.

From the preceding paragraphs, it might seem as though my career had taken a back burner to my sport. Not so. I took pride in my profession as a flight engineer and devoted equal time to my career and family. However, changes in the airline industry were occurring that would result in the eventual demise of the flight engineer position on modern aircraft.

By the mid-eighties it was clear that my career as a Boeing 727 flight engineer was coming to an end. Rather than retrain as a pilot, I opted to transfer to Qantas as a Boeing 747 flight engineer. This was an attractive option for me because it meant that I would be returning to my alma mater and also transferring to Sydney, my home town.

The years from then to now have been filled with personal changes, such as divorce, remarriage and relocation to the United States. I now fly for a major Asian airline as a flight engineer and have accrued approximately 14,000 hours over my career. Being a professional flight engineer is still viable with the airline for which I now fly, although since September 11, 2001 the airline industry has been dealt a blow from which it may not fully recover for many years. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced recently that airline layoffs could reach 200,000 people globally and that aggregate airline financial losses for fiscal year 2001 could reach in excess of $12 billion. Projected losses for 2002 are in the range of $6 billion. At the time of writing I still have a job, but for how long I dont know. I am still one of the lucky ones. See Airline Reformation -- Will Some Airlines Fail?

Fortunately, over the last ten years, I have improved my education so that I now have an MBA degree. This, I hope, will put me in good stead to find another career. As for my martial arts interests, unfortunately, Zen Do Kai does not have any clubs in the US, other than a small presence in New York, so my training has been all solo rather club oriented.

Presently I live in Greensboro, North Carolina with my wife and six-year-old son.

As you read through my book, one fact will emerge as incontrovertible: No matter how sophisticated and thorough new security procedures are, no matter what modifications are made to aircraft to withstand terrorists or enraged passengers attack, crew members and ordinary civilians, are still the front line protection against disaster. When push comes to shove, it will be up to average, untrained people to stop the enraged passenger or terrorist from completing their intended destructive acts. We should all be encouraged by the passengers courage onboard United Airlines flight 93 who fought the terrorists and prevented another national atrocity. Ordinary people saved the day, but gave their lives for their country. God bless their souls. SURVIVAL TACTICS FOR AIRLINE PASSENGERS -- REVIEW AND BUY

Defensive moves I describe in the book are easily learned and do not require advanced martial arts skill. I have particularly kept defensive techniques simple so they may be learned and practiced within the environment of annual crew training regimens or at home by average citizens. However, if you would like to join a martial arts club I would encourage you to do so, but to pick carefully before committing yourself.

 

ZEN DO KAI

 

Any martial art, if practiced diligently, becomes a way of life for the practitioner and changes his or her development as an individual. This life-changing process is summed up in the mission statement of Zen Do Kai:

Through the martial arts, create opportunities for individuals to exceed their limitations

and reach their maximum potential, physically, mentally, and spiritually so they become

a better person.

http://www.zendokai.com.au/

 

Since the 1960s, the name Bob Jones (not the American religious leader) has become synonymous with the Australian security industry and martial arts community. For the last forty years, Bobs Zen Do Kai clubs, based in Australia and New Zealand, have taught thousands of men, women and children the art of self defense.

The best of everything in progression

Zen Do Kai can be best described as a freestyle and dynamic martial art. It is freestyle in that it borrows techniques from martial arts all over the world, and dynamic in that the style and techniques used change as the current environment demands. Although Zen Do Kai has its roots in traditional Karate it has been adapted and modified over the years to exclude techniques that are impractical, and to include effective techniques and practices from other styles, such as Muay Thai Boxing. Some techniques practiced include, locks and holds, throws, vital point striking, grappling, boxing, and kick boxing. Traditional elements such as Karate forms (Katas) and weaponry are also included in Zen Do Kai training, the latter being for advanced students only.

In 1980, Bob introduced the Freefighting Forms And Self Defense Tournaments (FAST) to all Zen Do Kai dojos as a means of improving the style and members abilities through heavy competition. I personally competed in several club tournaments in Brisbane in 1985 and won the privilege of wearing a yellow jersey bearing the number two representing my wins.

Zen Do Kai black belts began to be employed for security at all major rock concerts from the seventies. In the eighties, Bob, himself, acted as personal body guard for major rock stars such as the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, ABBA, David Bowie, Boy George and Linda Rondstat. Presently, there are roughly 1,000 Zen Do Kai schools of self defense throughout Australasia with approximately 20,000 students training towards their black belt.

Awards of honor

Zen Do Kai's corporate logo epitomizes everything that the style represents. Mind, body and spirit elements are all viewed through the eyes of the red dragon a name that Soke Bob Jones was labeled while competing in tournaments many years ago.

Notice in the logo, three crosses that bear the words, Bushido, Ishoa and Kyunnin. The crosses, modeled on the Finnish cross of bravery, were initiated by Bob back in the sixties. The Bushido Cross, which I have the privilege of wearing, represents the way of the warrior. It is a symbol of protection of junior Zen Do Kai club members and is only awarded to black belt students whose teachers feel they have demonstrated loyalty, strength and dedication.

The round Ishoa Cross is awarded to female Zen Do Kai black belts who have shown the same personal traits as their male counterparts. It is held in equally high regard and respected by all Zen Do Kai students.

The newest and rarest cross is the triangular Kyunnin Cross which not only encapsulates the meaning of the other crosses, but represents exemplary business acumen in advancing Zen Do Kais club status and its ideals. To date, it has yet to be awarded to any club member, but many are striving hard to bear the honor of its status.

Join a club?

 

If you want to learn self defense, there are literally hundreds of martial arts clubs around the US and other countries from which to choose. My advice is to think about what you want to learn, visit some local clubs, assess whether you think the style is practical and make your decision based on your personal needs.

Some parents have been reticent to allow their kids to study martial arts because they think the child may learn to become violent or, worse still, be badly hurt. Zen Do Kai and other martial arts require rigorous training and dedication. Those who want to learn to beat somebody up drop out after the first few weeks, because all martial arts demand strict moral codes of conduct. Kids who stay the course learn how to defend themselves against multiple attackers and this knowledge builds self esteem and confidence. The result is that kids are less likely to get into scraps when they know they would easily come out the winner. As for getting hurt during training, most clubs allow light contact only in junior ranks. Teachers also encourage students to wear safety equipment, such as shin and foot pads, cups and mouthguards in case an opponent loses control of his or her technique. Some clubs spar with full contact, but as you would expect, only advanced students train in this manner and then only when suited up with adequate padded devices.

Whatever the case, club teachers will keep a close eye on the safety of all members, especially children. The aim of martial arts is personal development not personal destruction. Therefore, do not hesitate to join a club yourself and also sign up your kids. They will thank you for it for years to come and, if you train together, you will have a family activity that everyone can enjoy.