What doesn't worry me about the Times Square plot

If Faisal Shahzad is responsible for parking the SUV in Times Square, like he allegedly admitted to authorities, I actually feel a little safer.

Shahzad claimed he went to Pakistan to receive bomb training. His bomb consisted of fireworks, gas cans, and propane tanks. Mr. Shahzad, you got ripped off. Any idiot can think of that. I hope this is the best the Pakistani Taliban can do.

What worries me more is the way they caught him. A little more than two days passed between first noticing the bomb and having the man in custody. That seems right to me. But how in blue blazes did he board a plane to Pakistan, despite being on a watch list?

The Feds were tracking him, yet lost him. D'oh. That's bad, but I suspect it happens more often than not. Allegedly Shahzad drove to JFK, walked to the Emirates counter and purchased a one-way ticket, to Pakistan, IN CASH. These things should set off warning bells in the Emirates employee's brain.

"Hello, I need to leave the country immediately and forever."
"And where are you going sir?"
"Hmm. Somewhere nice this time of year. How 'bout Pakistan?"
"Will that be Visa or Mastercard?"
"Dozens of $100 bills, thank you."