Q: I read about a recent incident where electronics were often stolen from checked luggage in New York’s JFK Airport. What can I do to protect my iPad, laptop and other valuable items when I fly?

JBC, Athens GA

Q: We’re getting annoyed by the increasing gotcha charges when we travel. Every day, airlines and hotels seem to find reasons to pad the bills. When we‘re at the grocery or department store, the prices we pay are exactly what are advertised in the media. No more in the travel industry.

At the stores, we don’t have to pay extra to park, use our credit cards or do other routines that hotels and airlines find ways to charge us. Are there any ways to fight back?

Bill S., Atlanta GA

A: Want a quick answer? How about NO. Seriously, until government regulation agencies crack down, there’s nothing to stop the increasing prices. You can rationalize it by understanding that it’s merely the way airlines and hotels must pass on their ever-climbing costs of doing business.

The frustrating part of the problem is that hotels and airlines still insist on blaring come-on ads that offer bargains, such as $99 flights and hotel rooms. Of course, your out-of-pocket costs are typically at least 20% higher. Their song & dance routine is to claim that add-ons don’t actually stay in their pockets, but go out for taxes, ever-growing fuel prices and other tariffs. In their minds, the $99 ads are not deceiving.

Q: I’m a senior and have serious glaucoma, which allows me to use a marijuana product as medically necessary. My job keeps me air traveling almost every week, on both domestic and foreign flights. With two states, Washington and Colorado, now about to decriminalize it, I’m hoping the day will come soon when marijuana will be legal all over.

If the law is passed in other places I travel, it means I won’t have to sneak around to get it illegally. Then I can buy it more cheaply on the open market, and as I would alcoholic drinks and cigarettes. What’s the situation in other states?

A: So far, 15 allow the sale of marijuana in approved stores, some requiring medical prescriptions. They are Alaska, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Incidentally, marijuana is legal in Iran, Peru and Uruguay. In many other countries, where it is illegal on the law books, common everyday use and sale is not prevented, as in the Netherlands. .

Before you take your next business trip, check laws and restrictions at scheduled destinations for carrying items that include marijuana. Be sure you have necessary medical and other documents, and they comply with all airport security rules.

Question: On my recent singles cruise, I was assigned to a big dining salon table with a group of strangers. I didn’t mind at first, and looked forward to making new friends. However, I was like a fifth wheel, while the people there were loud, obnoxious and as friendly as angry cats. I’m booked for another cruise next month, and don’t want it to happen again. How can I avoid this? JBG, Atlanta GA

A: You have several options. If you have a bad experience at your first dinner aboard, go to the purser and ask for a change of table assignments. If you’re cruising alone again, when you check aboard, ask the purser to match you up with other single cruise passengers at a table for two or four. You may be able to opt for a male or female dinner companion who also has requested a dinner companion.

If all else fails, skip the sit-down dinners and eat all your meals at the buffet. Then, at each session you can sit alone or choose to join one or more other lonely-looking passengers as you go to the tables.