TSA backpedaling on the redacted SOP

On Monday the TSA made it very clear that the version of the Screening Management SOP that was posted to the fbo.gov website was not a version that was ever actually placed into active use.  This was part of the statement made on their blog on Monday:

The version of the document that was posted was neither implemented nor issued to the workforce. In fact, there have been six newer versions of the document since this version was drafted.

It seems that the words are changing, however, as other questions have cropped up suggesting that the TSA’s stance might be troubling for them.  Here’s what they’ve got in a statement on their webpage this afternoon:

This version of the document was not the everyday screening manual used by Transportation Security Officers at airport checkpoints. As TSA is constantly adapting to address evolving threats, there have been six newer versions of the procedures since the version posted was approved.

Note the ending of the two statements.  We’ve gone from “drafted” to “approved,” suggesting that the version on the internet was, in fact, in play at some point.  OK, I actually expected that to some extent.  I’m still waiting to hear what other backtracking they’ll be doing later on, and also if the Honorable David Heyman knows that he told a small fib during his testimony, suggesting that the document was no longer online at the fbo.gov webpage.  But, at least for now, they don’t seem to be on the hook for Contempt of Congress which was a very real risk based on the previous statements and being called to testify today.

If you’re interested in the testimony check it out here.  It starts around minute 72 of that video.

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