Pilot madness

Manila: A Qantas Airways flight was delayed for more than one hour in the Philippines after its pilots refused to remove their shoes during security check, an airport official said on Wednesday. The two pilots complained when they were asked to remove their shoes at the final inspection area at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport late on Tuesday.

Octavio Lina, NAIA's operations manager, said the procedure was part of tight security measures being implemented at the airport to thwart terrorist attacks.

Lina said the pilots, both Australians, argued with NAIA security officials at the inspection area, claiming that they were being mistreated.

The two later yielded to authorities, allowing the flight, which was carrying 200 passengers to take off 70 minutes later than its schedule. Security at Philippine airports was stepped up since last month following the discovery of a plot to bomb planes travelling from Britain to the US.

Last week, a local newspaper reported that a security consultant was able to smuggle C-4 explosives attached to the sole of his shoes into a plane bound for a southern city.

The security consultant also claimed he had built a bomb inside the plane's comfort room.

Philippine officials have denied the reported security lapse, saying the report was a hoax. They, however, implemented additional security measures to prevent such a breach.