I saw this a day or two ago. I sent it to family with the following apendix.
One weapon that would be effective against a knife or box cutter wielding hijacker is present on every commercial airline flight I have ever been on is not mentioned by Mr. Burnett.
It is a magazine. You don't want a Time or Newsweek. You want a Red Book or Ladies Home Journal, one with a stiff square spine. It must be rolled tightly beginning with the spine (inside the roll), and works best if you can wrap the roll in strong tape. In a pinch roll it as tightly as possible and grasp it tightly in the middle.
It is not used to swat, like you would a use a rolled up newspaper to swat a bad dog. You employ it in an over hand stabbing or forward thrusting movement. Since you are grasping it tightly in the middle there is an equal length above and below your fist. This lends itself to both maneuvers.
Targets are; low on the bridge of the nose, the Adam's apple (front of neck), temple, armpit, ribs on the sides not protected by muscle or fat, diaphragm (put your finger in the center of your chest and move it downward to the bony bump [the hyphoid] strike just below the bump), kidneys (low on the back both sides just above the belt line [not the most effective target but accessible directly from the rear]), and of course the testicles.
All the strikes above the shoulders, the diaphragm and the testicles can be fight stoppers, but don't count on it. When you strike do it hard, fast, and multiple times. A good rule of thumb is that when you think the fight is out of them, hit them at least three more times, and hit the neck and head.
Generally speaking anything you can hit with that is hard and slightly heavy is better than an empty hand. For instance a metal rod or bar eight to twelve inches in length would work well as described previously.
One last thing, no matter whether you can improvise a weapon or have to go it bare knuckles, get MAD. I mean angry enough to chew nails and spit rivets. Use your anger. These individuals are out to hurt you and directly or indirectly your family. They want to ruin your lives. Get real mad about it. When your hands start to shake, that's not fear it's adrenaline. Adrenaline is GOOD. It makes you strong and fast. Wet your pants? No sweat, that's your body getting ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound. It's GOOD! These and other things are your body spinning up to save your life. Use it. Use your anger.