The TSA is fitting the classic aviation mode of being re-active instead of proactive (the sudden burst of inspections on AA, DL and WN are proof of that).

When the TSA started, it was done with the premise of keeping OBL off the planes. Since AQ has moved on to other things, the TSA must come up with new, inventive ways to keep itself relevant.

Enter the ID checks, SPOT nonsense, checking the San Diego Trolley, Amtrak and "standing at the ready" BS for something out of their scope. Not to mention the shameless, embarrassing things like "mythbusters" and beating their chest about finding prohibited items.

Since they have failed to catch all the prohibited items they are supposed to catch, they have basically moved the goalposts on their mission.

To directly answer the OP's question, I'm not sure the TSA has really gone "backwards." Largely because I don't think it ever stepped forward.