You do realize that ordinary civilians have been involved in taking out various hijackers, wannabe hijackers and even wannabe bombers since 9/11?

Sometimes the best chance for self-preservation involves taking a risk that you may be injured or killed in the process. You do realize that there are at least two responses undertaken as part of self-preservation efforts in the face of hostility? Fight or flee. Flee from a plane in the sky? Superheroes may have organic wings, but I know no one like that. ;)

^ Same here

Yeah, if you have a kamikaze hijacker any action from the authorities will consist of employing weapons against the plane. They can't save you, all they can do is save the target.

The only hope of survival against a kamikaze hijacker is to keep them out of the cockpit, or retake the plane if they do capture the cockpit. To not act is certain death, in such a case you act no matter how long the odds.

Furthermore, there will likely be plenty of people traveling with loved ones. Even if acting means certain death (say, jumping the guy with the grenade knowing you'll both end up in a pile on it) if it gives your loved ones a chance it's still worth doing.

If they try to storm the cockpit, take them down by any means necessary.
Otherwise, play the grey man. I.e. sit down, shut up, don't move and try not to get noticed.
Take action if, and only if, it is completely necessary. If you do take action, don't hold back - no half measures.

Tweet about it. Nowadays with wi fi on planes, people will cry for help on social media. it will get to the authorities, and the plane will get shot down

Nice troll, but taking the only logical path to ensure you exit a situation alive isn't exactly "superhero" material, it's actually pretty selfish if you think about it :)

Now if I took the same stance in say, a shooting in the terminal, then yes you'd be right to say I'm some John Wayne type. (But in that scenario, I'd run like hell!)

Based upon what data? The Golden Age of highjackings was 1968 to 1979. They implemented regulations then to largely stop it. If you head over to the Security forum, you'll hear all of the tin foil hat wearing folks complain about them.

Highjackings are extremely uncommon assurances. I would suggest that you stay out of countries like Belgium with minorities that are prone to extreme violence, fundamentalist religious states and places with political instability or high rates of violent crime in general. That said, the airline part of that doesn't create much of an issue for you.

By far the most sensible answer to this question. And, if you have time, ask forgiveness for your sins. Finally, try to remember the finest aspects of your loved ones.

I have no idea, but I do know I'd way rather have the guy that attacks the hijackers and does something on my flight rather than the person that drops snark bombs about him on the internet.

Before also.
http://content.time.com/time/magazin...,55721,00.html

Depending on the flight there could be marshall on the plane, so you would probably not need to do anything. If that is not the case then do not be a hero unless you absolutely have to. I would suggest a quick prayer and then assess the situation. How many people are there? What do they want, etc. If they it is looking dire then it is time to be a hero otherwise hold back.

TWA
 

This exactly.

I wonder if you can spot a Marshall. Does he or she avoid alcohol, travel alone, look like Liam Neeson (if you've seen the film), etc?

Nice Thread. One should make an article/blog about this. Although research would really be hard and conclusions inconclusive. -_-

The other 'marshall' storyline that was more light-hearted was in Bridesmaids. Was your suggestion for the article / blog about spotting marshalls, or possible marshalls? How would you know if it was a marshall or a pilot (off-duty) etc? I would like to know. Presumably they are rather incognito. All quite mysterious and fun!