It happened again! A recent flight from Fort Lauderdale with a change in Las Vegas arrived too late for us to get our scheduled hop to Los Angeles. It was five hours before we could catch the next one. After useless griping at the airline front desk, what could we tired senior travelers do?

Of course, one choice is to check into an airport motel. We’ve done that several times because of long delays, but is it worth it to pay $100 or more to use a bed for just a few hours? When we’re sure the wait will be no more than four hours, we opt to brave it out in the waiting area.  

Whatever the season, unexpected airport delays happen. Here are some ideas on how to ease the waiting situation without spending money nor being uncomfortably squeezed:

We all know it’s customary to tip cabbies, waiters, bellhops, bartenders and all the usual service people. Have you ever wondered about others encountered in your travels who may also deserve your consideration?

Some examples are airline desk employees, hotel clerks, kind strangers who give you directions in foreign cities, street performers, gallery guards, police, delivery guys and others. They're people who perform a good deed for you who don’t ordinarily get a tip.

They sometimes at first refuse, but when you smile and say their next lunch is on you, they may accept. And you’ll feel good about doing a good deed.

We’ve all experienced it in the air. Already stressed from fighting traffic jams to the airport, being frisked thru security and trying to stow an oversized bag into the stuffed overhead, you’re not in the mood to chat.

However, if you fly often enough, it’s inevitable that an intruding and annoying seatmate will get to you. Here are several ways to deal with the yakking pest:

1. First, try to be considerate. Have a 30-second conversation, then conclude it with words that are clearly final. For example, say you’re very tired and need to nap. Then smile, turn away deliberately, put on a sleep mask and relax.

2. Headphones always blot them out. When you squeeze the ear pieces on, they indicate you’re into your own world of Bach, Beethoven or Bebop, and any more attempts at conversation will be ignored.

Unless it’s a quick hop, every air traveler must use the sky-high public toilet. When it becomes necessary, it seems everyone lines up there at once. It’s even worse when you go in and find the previous user made a mess.

The best solution for the senior traveler is to have a personal kit, including large sanitized wipes and toilet seat covers. There may be some when you enter, but on a crowded and long flight, the supply could be already used up.

Additionally, apply your wet wipes wherever you touch, including spigots, flush handle, sink, toilet seat and exit door slide. Too many recent incidents on cruise ship bathrooms indicate outbreaks of illnesses are caused by flu germs, E. coli and fecal bacteria, with unwashed hands among the prime carriers.