Cheryl Hargreves sat on the black metal pylon outside Heinz Field Gate B yesterday fretting over the inevitable.

	Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Heinz Field began patting down all fans for all games. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Steelers have been concerned about security, but never have they extended the pat downs to include all games -- preseason included. Click photo for larger image.

For the past two days, Hargreves, of Center Township, had been worried about one moment of her trip to see the Steelers take on the Philadelphia Eagles in what was supposed to be last year's Super Bowl.

Twenty feet away, by the massive steel gates, stood a yellow-clad security detail readying themselves for a little full-contact frisking -- Hargreves described it as more like unnecessary roughness.

"I understand they have to do this for security reasons," Hargreves explained in between sips of her beer, "but I'm just very uncomfortable with somebody feeling me up."

In a twist from previous years, last night Heinz Field personnel began patting down all fans, women and men, for all games. Since Sept. 11, 2001, Steelers officials have been concerned about security, but never have they extended the pat-downs to include all games -- preseason included.

"We're just not waiting for the big coats to come out during the winter months anymore," said Burt Lauten, media relations manager for the Steelers.

Hargreves was just one of the thousands of fans who passed through the three-pats-and-you're-done procedure outside of Heinz Field yesterday evening. Bags were checked, posters were unfurled and, in some instances, people in wheelchairs were patted on the arms.

Fans who showed up early to gates that opened at 5 p.m. were subjected to brisk frisks. Even when more than 600 people crammed the gates just before kickoff at 8 p.m., yelling obscenities about Philadelphia, the extra security still managed to slide them past and into the stadium in less than 10 minutes.

"It's just a way of life now," said Shannon Kunkle, of Jeannette. "I hope some cute guy pats me down."

Tom and Cecile Delozier, of Chambersburg, Franklin County, ambled up to the gates wearing their Steelers jerseys. In one hand, Cecile was carrying a plastic bag that held their 35 mm camera attachment.

At the gates, both of them were turned away because 35 mm cameras were allowed in but not telephoto lenses. The rejection meant they had to hike back over the Clemente Bridge to their parking spot by the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown.

"This is freaking unbelievable," said a red-faced, angry Cecile Delozier. "This whole thing has been a nightmare, from the parking to the gates."

Many fans who managed to make it to the entrances around the field all seemed to be complaining of preferential parking and tailgating. Steelers media relations officials could not verify any differences in tailgating procedures.

No matter the chatter about parking, one thing was abundantly clear from the show of security at the gates -- this was a new, more secure Steelers Nation.

"We know it's just something they got to do," said Cheryl Buchanan, of Rayland, Ohio. "Just something to make us feel a little more safe."