Holiday season brings on the most bumping of the year. For those who haven’t yet experienced the unhappy occasion, bumping is the term for when, despite the fact that you have a ticket, you’re forbidden to board a flight. The situation usually involves overbooking by the airline, and all seats are occupied, although more tickets were sold than actual seats available.

It's a common airline practice, especially at holiday times, to avoid losing money. Airline beancounters know, on any flight, some passengers with tickets will miss the flight. They don’t want to fly with empty seats, although a full aircraft could require one or more passengers to be bumped.

Of the many songs about the joys of travel, this one praises the scenic beauty of a trip by rail. Although the old Cannonball was fictional, the words still ring true:

By the great Atlantic Ocean
On the wide Pacific shore,
Heard the queen of flowing mountains,
To the South Belle by the shore,
She's long, tall and handsome,
She's loved by one and all.
She's a modern combination
Called the Wabash Cannonball!

Most seniors today consider only air or cruises when they travel for pleasure. However, travel by luxury train can be a fun and enjoyable way to spoil yourself while seeing a country without enduring the hostile environment of airports and limited daily views of cruises.

Your travel4seniors.com editor was recently invited to observe this solemn daily ritual.

USA Today reports results of a survey of U.S. airports conducted by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The conclusion of its annual Airport Food Review is that Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) serves the healthiest foods.

The selection, as quoted in the report, includes “the healthy basics” -- veggies, fruits, whole grains and legumes.” This, of course, is good news to seasoned air travelers who’ve spent decades cruising airports with only fast-food and greasy spoon eateries greeting them while on their way to flights.

So, next time you’re at the airport and have time for a meal, stop at one that serves the freshest and healthiest foods. And when finishing your meal, buy a take-out package for when aboard your flight. We’re sure you’ve noted that in-air airline food keeps getting more expensive and less edible.