I heard a blurb on the news yesterday where they were discussing the question of why this guy tried to light his shoe at his seat instead of someplace less conspicuous. Apparantly he was seated slightly behind the leading edge of the wing were he could have blown a hole in the floor and ignited fuel in the center fuel tank. Again this is all speculation and I am probably giving this guy way to much credit.
Like someone said, why not do it over a populated area instead of over the ocean? Not to bright these guys I guess.