"Ma'am, can you step forward? I'm going to have to pat you down. Would you prefer a room or to do it here?"

I was annoyed. I fly several times a year, so I'm usually fairly careful about what I wear to an airport, both for maximum comfort and ease of getting through security without a pat down. Apparently my comfy leggings had triggered the TSA scanners today.

I remember sitting in the adequately comfortable chair near the back; I always sat by myself in those days and near the back with the new moms who needed to be able to sneak out at the slightest whimper from the mushy newborn clutched to her chest.