I agree with you on this one. DEN decided to not use the new SOP because of the issue with hand off of a PAX. So they are going to get the whole banana in the wanding chute still.
So, if an individual FSD can decide to opt out of the SOP, why have any SOP at all? No wonder there's so much discrepancy between airports.
BTW, we've not heard anything from members flying out of EWR on the new alleged SOP. Anyone have anything to share?