I'm sorry that the OP had to go through all that.

IIRC, airports are not really "public" areas, or are they? Some of the airports that I've been to are operated by airport authories that are considered private corporation. What if the airport authority puts up "No Photography Inside" signs at the entrances? (which my local supermarket has)

I remember watching FoxNews(don't judge me ) yesterda and they were talking about Texas or some other state where it is illegal to photograph law enforcement officers on duty. I only saw 30 seconds.... what was that all about?