August - 1300 hrs - Surigao Airport, Philippines
It was reported today that a half crazed business traveller attempted to hijack scheduled flight from Surigao to Manila using a travel iron he had concealed in his hand luggage.
During the flight he apparently managed to reach into his hand luggage (that was under the seat in front as it was too large to fit into the minute overhead locker that were half the standard hand luggage sized lockers) and retrieve the small, but deadly travel iron. This amazing feat of dexterity was performed by the 6' 1" traveller who was contorted into a seat with the leg room designed for a midget.
Upon grabbing the iron he then looked in vain for somewhere to plug it in. Of course being a tiny propeller driven plane there was no such facility and hence his diabolical plan was partially thwarted.
Standing in the aisle, he shouted, "I've and iron and I'm not afraid to use it", which he clearly was judging from the crumpled nature of his clothing - or that might have been as a result of being forced to sit in a seat designed for a battery hen.
Passengers were clearly amused by the threat and creased up laughing. A trolly-dolly tried was steaming mad as she couldn't get her trolly with overpriced drinks and crisp past him but the hijacker was determined to press ahead ahead with his plan.
"Fly me to Manila", he yelled, brandishing the iron. "But we're going to Manila", the cabin crew said. "Good", he said, "because that's where I want to go".
