T.S.A. officials respond that the random searches are “special needs” or “administrative searches” that are exempt from probable cause because they further the government’s need to prevent terrorist attacks.
Sigh.
Sigh.
The main way to fight these "administrative searches" is to show that they are too invasive, or not narrowly tailored to achieve their purpose, both of which are criteria US courts have shown they care about.
> The operation resulted in several arrests by the local transit police, mostly for passengers with warrants for prostitution and minor drug possession.
Not really meeting the criteria you're talking about.
Meanwhile, universal searching (at first by metal detector, later by other means) of passengers at airports has long been held constitutional by courts; if they step outside the boundaries of what's permitted, you can haul them into court over it.
;..whereupon they will promptly grant themselves immunity.