Do loud sounds while you dine bother you? According to a Unilever study, noises produced by aircraft engines take away the appetite of passengers when meals are served in the air. They also state that knowing the food is pre-frozen and microwaved doesn’t help, either.

In the experiments, blindfolded diners ate while simulated aircraft noises were broadcast at low frequency and then up to very loud. The results were that the noises were distracting, and the food didn’t seem as tasty. Researchers said the meals were more appreciated when soft music was played.

So, next time you fly, and the meal in the air isn’t so great, don’t blame the airline chef. Put on your earphones and listen to music instead of the engines. Maybe that’s why they have strolling violinists at the fanciest restaurants on the ground.

If you have any flexibility in making flight plans, learn this little golden rule. According to travel experts and frequent flyers, the best days to get the best prices narrows down to exactly 3 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Airlines typically release their sales specials on that day, and let them expire 48 hours later. Late Wednesday night flights are usually the cheapest. Make reservations by phone and you’ll avoid an extra charge for computer-processed the reservation. Ordering your ticket by computer for Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon flights usually means you’ll pay the highest fare in effect throughout the week.

When starting to consider flight plans, keep your nose to the computer for airline schedule postings on those days when bargains are hot. If that isn’t convenient, ask your friendly neighborhood travel agent to keep checking for you. You’ll pay a commission , but it’ll be worth it if you get the very best price for your flight.

Royal Caribbean suggests passengers on their cruise ships should consider raising the tip rate for service workers on board. The tips start at $3.75 a day for waiters and $5 for cabin stewards. RC claims it’s the first time the tip amount suggestions have been raised in more than a dozen years.

While those tips are voluntary, RC and most other cruise lines add an automatic 15 percent as tips to bar tabs. The old adage that tips’ initials mean To Insure Prompt Service should still be the gauge on how much or how little a customer should give to service providers.

Did you see the recent CNN video report about the hug lady in her hometown airport? She greets GIs returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with welcome words and some old-fashioned hugging. Also,when family members are there to welcome their GI home, she offers to take welcome home group photos with their cameras.

Although my Navy days are many decades behind me, I had a similar experience just a month ago. We were at San Diego airport, and I was standing outside a store waiting for my wife. A very pretty young girl came up, hugged me and said, “Thank you for your service to our country!”

While I was pleased with such sudden and lovely affection, at first I couldn’t figure how this girl knew I had served. Then I remembered. I was wearing a recent gift from my showbiz daughter. On a USO trip to perform for the troops in Iraq last year, she had brought back a present for me. It was a Navy blue cap with the words U.S. Navy and a CPO anchor symbol on it.

Next time you’re running through a busy airport and see a GI gal or guy in camo or regular uniform, take a few seconds to thank that admirable symbol of American freedom for service to our nation. A friendly hug could making your warm welcome even warmer.