[demlosers]

The shoe bomb that Reid had .....was about 8 to 12 ozs.

Dog do you remember how Reid tried to initiate the explosive? I recall him trying to light something with a match or lighter.

If Reid was trying to burn the C4 that would not work. C4 will just burn and not detonate. However, if C4 is compressed while its burning, it may explode. Maybe he was going to stomp on the burning explosive in his shoe? That's not a very reliable way to initiate an explosive.

I wonder if he had a non-electric blasting cap with fuse wuth him too? I didn't hear much of the details...probably because the authorities didn't want to give out ideas to other would-be terrorists.

[NickinAM]

Reid attempted to light the fuse and could not due to sweat having dampened the fuses.

Understand that 8 - 12 ozs of C4 will blow out the side of a plane and take it down. That is why Reid was sitting in that seat location.

How it would be used is simple. The C4 would be removed from the cavity and fashioned into some other shaped charge and with other objects be ready to be placed and detonated.

Have no fear, this will bring down a plane.