[Verizon Galaxy S 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] bbsc:
When you get tired of the experiments, please consider the next:

Here's a detailed guide on my "Plan B". (The plan on "Plan B" was in this my post)

The main purpose:

To have the latest stock firmware G900VVRU2DQL1 and the latest bootloader (DQL1) unlocked for future installation of TWRP, rooting and (probably) a custom firmware.

What is needed:

1. Odin (you have it already).

2. COMBINATION_VZW_FA44_G900VVRU2APA1_VZW2APA1_257265 6_REV00_user_mid_noship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5 (you have it already).

3. Apks to install (link is in this my post)

4. Bootloader (DQL1) to flash and unlock from SafeStrap (link is in this my post)

5. Stock full wipe firmware (DQL1) without bootloader (link is in this my post)

Simply follow these steps (and feel free to ask questions):

1. Check if Reactivation Lock is OFF. Charge the battery to more than 50%.

2. Unpack apks.zip to apks folder somewhere.

3. Unpack ALL_VZW_G900VVRU2DQL1_G900VVZW2DQL1_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT_No_Aboot.tar.md5.zip somewhere.

4. DO NOT unpack DQL1_NO_TWRP_Firmware_Bootloader_Unlock_AIO.zip :)

5. Run Odin.exe.

6. In AP slot of Odin select COMBINATION_VZW_FA44_G900VVRU2APA1_VZW2APA1_2572656_REV00_user_mid_noship_MULTI_CERT.tar.md5, boot the phone to Odin mode, connect the cable, press Start, wait till the flashing process ends. Press Exit, wait till the phone completes reboot.

7. Disconnect the cable from the phone, power the phone OFF, take the battery off for 10-20 sec, insert the battery back, power the phone ON, wait till it complete boot and connect the cable to the phone.

8. Copy "apks" folder from p.2 to the root of phone's memory (no micro-SD is necessary).

9. Copy DQL1_NO_TWRP_Firmware_Bootloader_Unlock_AIO.zip to the root of phone's memory.

10. Disconnect the cable from the phone.

11. Press Menu (dotted button) -> My Files -> All -> apks.

12. Apex_Launcher.apk -> Settings -> Unknown Sources -> Ok -> Back -> Apex_Launcher.apk -> Next -> Install -> Done.

13. BusyBox.apk -> Install -> Done.

14. Safestrap_KK.apk -> Install -> Done.

15. tr_v2.apk -> Install -> Open -> make it rain (a message "You should have root, no reboot required" should appear) -> Back.

16. Superuser.apk -> Install -> Open -> Continue -> Normal -> Reboot.

17. After reboot, in the pop-up window -> Apex Launcher -> Always -> Ok.

18. Menu (dotted button) -> BusyBox Free -> Grant -> close balloon -> Install -> close balloon -> Back.

19. Safestrap -> Grant -> Agree -> Install Recovery -> Reboot to recovery. Wait patiently for SafeStrap Recovery to boot.

20. Swipe to Allow modifications -> Wipe -> Advanced Wipe -> Dalvik/Data/Cache -> Swipe to Wipe.

21. Back -> Back -> Back -> Install, install DQL1_NO_TWRP_Firmware_Bootloader_Unlock_AIO.zip.

22. The phone should power itself off. It's normal. Boot it to Odin mode and see if the unlocking process was successful. You should see a line "MODE: Developer" indicating that your phone has an unlocked bootloader now (see attachment).

23. Flash ALL_VZW_G900VVRU2DQL1_G900VVZW2DQL1_REV00_user_low_ship_MULTI_CERT_No_Aboot.tar.md5 (unpacked in p.3) with Odin (slot AP).

24. The phone will FDR itself. The first boot may take 15 min. or so.

Now you can flash TWRP (download it from their site, tar-file) with Odin and install some root manager (SU, Magisk or whatever you like)

Personally I don't use rooted phones.

P.S. I'd rather prefer FP than T&M because it really takes 30 min to complete everything :)