Unreasonable searches and frisks being illegal.
“Last I saw, it was a table with two NYPD and two TSA, in view of the token booth.”
That’s what I didn’t know what you meant.
Here’s prevailing law wrt NY directly. Surprisingly, things haven’t progressed very far yet. Note this kid actually had a weapon, but there wasn’t enough reasonable suspicion so the conviction was tossed on appeal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/27/nyregion/appeals-court-calls-a-stop-and-frisk-illegal.html?_r=1
Google “Terry stop” for more info on the legality in general. Terry stops are quick detention for an outer-clothing frisk done when a police officer has reasonable suspicion that you are illegally armed. It’s done for their and other’s safety. In the Terry case, reasonable suspicion came from an anonymous phone call, so the cop should be able to give you something if it’s a legal request.