reporter: since 9/11, people take more responsibility for their security. flight 93 was diverted with a terrorist at the controls. passengers stormed the cockpit led by todd beamer s cry, let s rom. the plane crashed in pennsylvania 20 minutes flying time from washington, the intended target. i think it made everybody aware that defense of the country is not just for those in uniform, everybody has to play a role in securing our nation. reporter: the nation responded by defending against organized terrorist attacks, with screening common place at airports and public events that draw big crowds. but the government is now struggling to counter new threats, example, more than a decade after drones went main stream with over a million now in the u.s., the federal government is still struggling with how to counter dangerous ones. terrorists overseas have used them to drop bombs.
routine today didn t exist at the time. the government responded with the department of homeland security, which is struggling to keep up with new threats here is pete williams. reporter: on board a delta airlines flight from los angeles to atlanta, an urgent plea from the pilot. we d like all strong males to the front of the aircraft to handle a problem passenger. an atlanta businessman was quick to respond. i immediately jumped, grabbed his shoulders, pulled his hood over his head and pulled him to the ground. reporter: since 9/11, people take more responsibility for their own security, a spirit born aboard united flight 93, hijacked on 9/11 and diverted with a terrorist at the controls i would like to tell you all to remain seated we have a bomb aboard. and we are going back to the airport, and we have our demands so remain quiet. reporter: passengers stormed the cockpit led by todd beamer s cry let s roll.
reporter: passengers stormed the cockpit led by todd s cry let s roll. the plane crashed in pennsylvania just 20 minutes flying time from washington, d.c. the intended target. i think it made everybody aware that defense of the country is not just for those in uniform. everybody has to play a role in securing the nation. reporter: the nation defended against organized terror attacks with screening common place at airports and public events that draw big crowds but the government is now struggling to counter new threats. example more than a decade after drones went mainstream with over a million in the u.s. the federal government is still struggles with how to counter dangerous ones. terrorists drop bombs. hobbyist drones were used in attempt to kill the president of venezuela. but congress only recently gave federal agencies the legal authority they need to develop systems for tracking drones and
fat congeals. continuing with the spill theme, of course, last year s gulf oil spill, well, it could happen again unless some serious changes are made. that is the warning coming from a presidential commission with bp and other companies involved saying they cut corners to save money and time. commission points out that such short cuts are common in the industry and faults government regulators who were supposed to be watching those companies. the commission s full report expected next week. and the faa investigating how a cup of coffee in the cockpit led to an emergency landing and a scare for an american airlines jet. supposed to go from chicago to frankfurt, germany, but diverted to toronto after coffee cut out communications and then the jet sent out a hijack alert signal because of it. federal investigators are asking about united policy of food and drink in the cockpit. something you don t ever think about, food and drink in the cockpit. for the long flights,