You are correct. Previous highjackings had shown that the best chance of survival lay in cooperation, so the passengers’ cooperation was rooted in pragmatism, not political correctness.
As for United 93, I recall hearing that the passengers had learned what happened to the other highjacked planes, so they were faced with the certainty of death unless they did something. I respect their bravery, but I think it was motivated by desperation rather than patriotism.
I would never begin to judge someone in their last minutes when they know absolutely they will die a horrific death. I think it is absurd to parse whether it was patriotism or desperation. I would not wish that scenario on my worst enemy. It is easy to be an armchair hero. I cannot fathom the horror they went thru.
As I posted before, peasants could be prosecuted for interfering with a hijacking.