It might be a pup. And yes, silver tillandsias are succulents to a certain extent.

You cannot determine if a tillandsia is more of a succulent type by feeling the leaves. Many of the grassy leaved species are quite adept at handling drought-like conditions. So too are some of the large terrestrial types like T. rauhii and T.australis. A more in-depth way is to locate the species geographic territory and check rainfall totals. I have some with "large squishy leaves" that certainly love their water.

Thanks, Raxidor and Gonzer! I had always read on numerous websites that tillandsias first bloom THEN produce pups. That is why i was confused at first. On BSI website however they state that these plants can bloom anytime. What's the biological signal for the plant to pup, especially considering that it's a youngster and has yet to reach it's full adult stage/size?
I had skimmed over this before but seems like there's not one definition of succulents that everyone agrees on. Gonzer's definition seems to be in accordance with Mark Dimmitt here http://www.tucsoncactus.org/html/growing_succulents_in_the_desert_column_Jan_2011.html
He defines succulents as having succulent, juicy leaves as well as serving the function of storing water to allow the plant to survive the dry season. He goes on to say that many tillandsia species are succulents and gives example of cacticola which along with Gonzer's examples seriously do not look like they have squishy leaves. He has specifically classified them as "xerophytic succulents".
All airplants have trichomes, which help it store water, so the "function" of storing water is valid for all airplants or is it not?
Also how can we then classify aquatic succulents such as crassula helmsii.
Man, plants are so fascinating, I am surprised I paid them no special heed for most of my life. Now I feel very inadequate in my knowledge and think I must get a couple of PhDs in order to make up. :D
Thanks again for the info!
Best,
Meddy