That was what I was getting at. Another factor was the fact we've been indoctrinated (wrong term, I admit) to "not be a hero". Cashiers at 7/11 get fired for capping a robber, bank employees are trained to cooperate in robbery situations...same with flight crews. Everyone thought they'd land, get their demands out and be on their way. No one was expecting a suicide mission.

I think watching a passenger get shanked would freeze me up quite nicely. I'd be offering our new flight crew overlords coffee and peanuts.