This wasn't a Huge deal. Every time one calls for a weather briefing in New York they are told to be familiar with fighter intercept procedures. Clearly the fact that intercept procedures were known by the crew saved lives.
As for the Germans, imagine what their guards would do at a middle-eastern embassy should they see a bus doing 120kph down a city street towards their gate. Maybe the passengers would retake control at the last minute and avert disaster! No, of course not, the guards would shoot. It's the same situation in the skies.