I was wondering if secondary screenings at the departure gate are still routine or was my experience in October 2004 at Logan Airport unusual. On that day, I did not set off the metal detector nor was I selected in any way for secondary screening in the metal dectector area. I did notice that my boarding pass was marked "Zone 3" which I thought was unusual because I fly often and I am almost always in Zone 6. The next strange event was that when the airline called Zone 3 I noticed that I was approaching the gate alone instead of with the usual herd. I was inches away from entering the boarding tunnel when two TSA agents, one male and one female literally appeared out of nowhere and forced me to come along with them for "extra security." Next thing I know, they have me behind the gate bulkhead, a claustrophobic area, while the female agent makes me assume the position, wands me, pats me down, and the male agent goes through all my stuff. Of course, they would not tell me why they chose me at the gate when I breezed through the regular security area. Anyway, it was for me a terrifying experience and I hope not to fly again until the pat downs are stopped.