Originally Posted by
darthbimmer
There was a sea change in common wisdom that occurred in real time on 9-11. Before then, it was "Everyone stay quiet, do what the hijackers want, and you'll all get out alive." By mid-morning on that fateful day people had figured out, "The hijackers are determined to kill every single person on this plane plus thousands more on the ground. Consider yourselves deputized."
Very true, and this knowledge is very likely why flight 93 didn't reach its intended target. The passengers on that flight knew about the earlier hijackings and weren't going to let it happen again.
I think that political hijackers will usually make it clear what they want, such as the release of prisoners. If they don't, it's safe to assume they are suicide hijackers, and charge against them.