With all the current worldwide hysteria about the spread of the Ebola virus, senior travelers may now suffer from the old fear of flying cliché. As with cruises, when one ship or aircraft among a thousand healthy daily schedules has a sanitation problem, too many seasoned wanderers consider staying home.

Of course, it can happen when the sicko in the next airline seat sneezes on you, or the taco you bought from a street vendor in sunny Cabo decides to defuse your cruise. Along with your doctor’s prescribed meds, you’ll reduce chances of travel-related illness by following a few simple rules you already heard countless times decades ago from your mom and school nurse.

Medicated tissues: Have them with you at all times, to wipe off arm rest, seat tray table, passenger seat, door handle, toilet seat, sink and other frequently-used areas.

Stay away from sickies: If someone nearby in a seat, elevator or check-in line is coughing and sneezing, get as far away as possible. If you can’t flee, turn away and put a tissue or hanky over your mouth and nose.

It happened again at O’Hare and Midway recently with reports that a suicidal man set a fire. Results: More than a 1,700 flights were canceled or delayed. For traveling seniors, the natural first reactions are confusion, frustration and some creative cursing.

For the experienced flyer, cancellations and delays are expected. They'll happen again, especially with winter adding to other reasons for snafu situations. Beyond the negatives, there are positive ways to make the wait more bearable. For what they’re worth, here are a few suggestions:

1. Always fly with sleep gear: In your carry-on, have a fold-up sheet/blanket, small blow-up pillow and eye mask. If you intend to stay awake, also have the latest compact, info-loaded electronic cellphone/radio/video gizmo to help pass the hours.

Have you had enough of the squawking, barking, twerking, cursing and screaming that passes for music these days? If your senior memories require it, take a nostalgic trip to Sin City to enjoy the soothing sounds of the Sinatra era.

After starring at the Sands (now the Venetian) through the 1950s, Sinatra performed for several years at the then-new Caesars Palace. You can recapture some memories of that era. For an evening of the music of Frank and pals, visit the Matt Goss Throwback Show there.

The national train service now has designated cars where riders can sit, snooze, silently work on touch screens and listen to quiet music by earphones. Considering the continuously escalating problems of flying, this has to be a blessing. The signs in the cars instruct: Please refrain from loud talking or using cell phones in this car.

Unlike flighing, there's no fighting over ever-decreasing legroom, listening to squawking iPhone yakkers nor enduring screaming kids. Weary seniors who ride on the Amtrak quiet cars can now enjoy what is almost impossible anywhere else in the insanely cacophonic world of travel. For schedules and other info, go to www.amtrak.com