Originally Posted by Bart
I think there are a number of factors. Cockpit doors and better-trained flight crew not passengers are most certainly part of the equation. I do agree that passengers are less likely to be docile and cooperative should terrorists attempt to hijack a plane, but this isn't necessarily a good thing (it isn't a bad thing neither). Amateurs who take matters into their own hands are unpredictable. Things may work out successfully or they may take a horribly tragic turn. Nobody knows. So I wouldn't hang my hat on the reluctance of passengers to remain quiet during a hostage situation as the cure-all; may end up getting more people killed in the end.
This is quite ironic. Some law enforcement professionals (using the term loosely) constantly downplay the ability of passengers (or bystanders to any incident) to defend their own lives, or, in extemis, ensuring they do not die in vain.
Much of the time, this ability is deliberately downplayed - i.e. the passengers WON'T do anything, therefore all responsiblity must reside with law enforcement. The rest of the time, they are claiming that any action by a non-LEO will make matters worse, such as "getting more people killed in the end". This reinforces the passivity that they cite as a reason for non-effectiveness! We have been trained not to take action by LEO's and their bosses who routinely arrest folks for self-defense actions and urge the passage of gun control laws.
The sad thing is that people don't realize that this is not altruistic behavior by the LEO community. They aren't doing it to make the public safer. Rather, they are making themselves more valuable to society by enforcing the idea that only a peace officer can protect you from harm.
This all might have worked, once upon a time. However, in the era of suicide terrorism, the equation has changed. Frequently, there is little time for a LEO to react, or the terrorists strategy essentially factors the LEOs out. As an example - we all know how to identify air marshals, one way (profile) or another (knife to the FA's throat). Terrorists are smart, as we discovered on 9/11. The first thing they'll do is eliminate the FAMs. At that point, folks like Bart had better hope that the herd mentality gets dispelled, and rapidly. Funny that the LEO's take civilian incompetance as an article of faith, while many civilians (especially ex-military) find that attitude laughable.
Dan