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.