"Surely on 9/11 that would have been the right call, although a terrible deed to ask of a pilot."
Um, really? … Let's see :-
1. Persuade nice amenable hijackers to fly AWAY from problem areas.
2. Hope that they will jettison those many TONS of highly explosive fuel.
3. Pick your moment when the resultant uncontrolled arrival will miss problem areas.
4,5,6 etc., etc.
Still, if the prospects give you a warm glow of confidence and safety, don't let me disillusion you.
Rgds
Bill