[walford]

...There is one character that I'm glad they included- he has a European *maybe French* accent and he makes a number of comments along the lines of "If we do what they say, they'll spare our lives"-- typical appeasement mentality...

In fairness, prior to 9/11, the way for the captives to deal with a hijacking was to hunker down, keep a low profile and offer no resistance. That's because prior to then, part of  the hijackers' plan was coming out of it alive. And as we consider the confusion, remember how long it took for each one us to realize what was actually happening.

One of the more chilling accounts of Sept. 11 occurred right here on this board. Perhaps someone could find that thread.

We forget just how much that day changed us all -- well, except the confirmed America-haters of course. But even they had to keep quiet for a while.

[YankeeGirl]

The movie portrays the passengers as oblivious to the fact that the pilots were not flying the aircraft until quite a while into the hijacking.

Until that and the suicide nature of the act was realized, appeasement of the hijackers would be the safest bet. Of course, now, post 9/11, even I (an out of shape 47 year old woman) believe I would brandish my 8 lb laptop and charge.

Hopefully I'll never have to find out if I'm that brave.