Kliman in SIA's First Class cabin

For each of the past 10 years I have enjoyed burning up frequent flyer miles by flying to and from Bali on Singapore Airlines in their legendary First Class cabin for my December holidays. And for each of those ten years, I have flown back to California on SQ via Singapore on 31 December.

Flying that day allows me the unusual and remarkable experience and privilege of celebrating the New Year at midnight Singapore time while on board the jumbo crossing the Pacific on arguably the best airline in world; and then again toasting the New Year at midnight Pacific Time back at home in Sausalito.

This year, as I checked in at SQ’s gorgeous First Class section of T3 at Changi, I wondered how the new US security regulations would impact the journey.

Here's how it all went:

The concierge at the St. Regis Singapore advised that I “really” needed to check in a full two hours in advance of my 09.45am lift off due to the new security regulations put in place since the Christmas Day averted disaster on board the NW flight from Amsterdam to Detroit; so I dutifully arrived at Changi two hours before SQ 12’s takeoff for LAX.

As the SQ hostess and luggage porter escorted me into the First Class check-in area, I was the only passenger being processed. I was graciously advised that I would not be allowed to carry on ANY liquids, not even the traditional less than 100ml containers (or “3-1-1” as they are known in North America) most travellers have come to know so well. So I reorganised my carry-on bags, put my lotions and potions into my checked suitcase and silently expressed gratitude that SQ would provide hand and face moisturizer for the 17-hour run to Los Angeles.

Moment later I was at passport control and on my way to SQ’s long haul First Class and Suites Lounge - the perfectly named “The Private Room” (pictured left); a magnificent travel experience in and of itself.

I knew more security processing would follow at the gate and again in Tokyo.

At the departure gate, Changi’s security check was 100% normal; nothing more and nothing less than the standards we have all come to expect, so I reckoned Narita would deliver the enhanced security experience I’d heard so much about.

Next stop: Tokyo’s Narita for a 70-minute transit. Upon deplaning at Narita, I was handed a large sheet of paper on SQ letterhead stating that all “customers traveling to the USA” would be subject to a “mandatory requirement for physical search”.

Fair enough. So off I go through the normal X-ray machine checkpoint, off to Star Alliance lounge for a quick chill and then back to the gate where I was first in the queue followed by other First and Business travellers. Here comes the fun I thought … or was it?

Boarding commenced, passports and boarding cards checked by SQ staff and passengers were directed onto the jet way where temporary security stations were set up (folding tables), each manned by a bevy of uniformed Narita personnel. Carry on luggage left on board the aircraft was prominently positioned at the entrance to the jet way door to be reunited by those few brain-dead passengers who didn’t heed the announcement made upon landing in Narita that ALL personal belongings MUST be taken off the aircraft during the transit stop (or else!).

Once inside the jet bridge, all carry-on bags were inspected, albeit in what seemed an abbreviated manner, then a further jog down the jet bridge where I had a quick full body pat down and before I knew it, I was back on board and tucked back into 2A.

Upon landing at LAX I sailed through US Customs without any inspection of my luggage.

But when I got home and unpacked my suitcase I saw it had been unlocked, thoroughly inspected and completely repacked by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Apparently this took place after the US customs inspection at LAX and before my bag was transferred to the United Airlines flight from LAX to SFO. Included in my bag was a love note from the TSA stating that my bag had been selected for inspection.

As a global road warrior who believes in doing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to ensure the onboard safety of passengers, the new regulations dictating passenger screening for inboard flights to the USA seemed to be light from the travellers’ point of view … I say bring on the full body scanners, sniffer dogs and El Al standards of security if that’s what’s needed to keep us safe.

For now, travelling to the USA may require a bit more patience, but in the scheme of life, my New Year’s Eve 2009/2010 transPac crossing was about as easy as it gets.

• Photos courtesy of David Kliman