As for the latter, I don't know about you, but the few times I've been near the front of a plane since 9/11, no one walks toward the front without being followed by many, many pairs of eyes.
Then there are air marshals, and perhaps armed pilots.
Call me skeptical. But then again I'm not one of those who attributes any kind of superhuman powers the terrorists, or thinks that just because they want to do something or talk about it that they can actually do it.
But feel free to think this was a real thwarting of a realistic plot, if it makes you feel better.
Feel free to roam the range of your imagination and draw conclusions minus all the facts of the plot, if it makes you feel better. When or if we know the entire story, we can all take it up again. Till then...
it took quite a while to get air marshalls onto flights after 9-11. another 9-11 style attack could have been launched just a few months later, I doubt some flight coming out of the phillipines or indonesia towards LA would have had air marshalls on it.
superhuman? I'm in first class with two cohorts. the flight takes off, I get up and use the lavatory and remove the explosive from my shoe and put it in my pocket. I smile at the stewardess on my first trip to the lavatory. later, as the flights nears LA, I use the lavatory again. only this time, when I exit, I rush the cockpit door and place the plastic on the lock. My two cohorts rise from their seats, cut the throat of a stewardess with a plastic knife, and otherwise block the aisle. I light the fuse, and duck behind the kitchen galley to shield me from the small blast. the cabin door is now open. most passengers haven't even had time to look up from reading their magazines before it all unfolds.
the 9-11 plot seemed kind of impossible to, on 9-10.