Because the number of patdowns has increased, including post-WBI ones and WBI opt-out ones.

In the past I have gotten several secondaries (my 'demeanor', you know) and most were wandings and/or swabs and cursory patdowns if at all. My waistband was felt, not rolled over. Only once, recently, have I had to remove my belt.

That's my experience and it is at odds with your contention that patdowns have always been done this way. I simply do not believe that the patdown process has not been escalated, in response to what I have no idea.

What are the other things about which I have "no clue"? I'm willing to be enlightened.