I was suddenly reminded of an incident not long after 9-11 where a passenger went nutso on a flight inbound to O'Hare. He started claming the plane was going to fly into the Sears Tower.
They scrambled the fighter planes and escorted the flight in, but I'll bet were prepared to take the plane down if need be. I heard the sonic booms, lived in the area at that time.
I recall there was a nurse on board who medicated the perp with valium and benedryl after he was subdued by other passengers/crew. The valium etc. were stocked on the plane.
Mayor Richie Daley was infuriated that the father who was flying with the perp knew he was nutso and off his meds and allowed him to get on the plane.
It'd be interesteing to see if Mayor Richie would comment along those same lines regarding today's episode.