As parents become more involved in their own lives, they are giving their teenagers more freedom. Televised airings of Spring Break Specials on MTV and the like, have not daunted the trust of well-meaning moms and dads, but it has dampened the spirit of the average traveler.

When the kids all flocked to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, people looking for peace simply avoided the area. But with the world becoming more accessible, no place is "safe."

Mexico, Jamaica, the entire coast of Florida...hordes of teenagers celebrating the rites of Spring.

This isn't to say that adults shouldn't go to these places, but they should be prepared for loud music, raucous debauchery, beer swilling lunacy and lots of indecency - just like in their own lost youth! Hmmm, maybe Spring Break is just the antidote to civilization we aging hypocrites are seeking... Can we join the party? - T. Brown

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU FLY
(Dateline.MSNBC.com)

How do you get the best fares?

Be flexible about departure and arrival times. Pick off-peak hours, and plan in advance. The more lead time you have, the more options you have. But you may not know it's best to avoid non-stop flights or to take connecting flights. It'll take longer but it can cost less. And if you can, choose smaller, secondary airports. Fares there are often lower.

How do you avoid delays?

Ask your travel agent or airline about the on-time performance of most flights. It's part of the computer reservations systems they use. Just ask for the one-digit code for that flight's on-time performance. It covers the last month reported by the airline. The codes are on a scale of 0 to 9. The lower the number, the worse its on-time performance.

There are going to be delays, no matter who's at fault. So try to fly early in the morning, before back-ups start. And when making a reservation, ask for the on-time record of your flight. Airlines are required to give it to you if you request it.

What time do you really have to be at the gate so you don't get bumped?

It can be confusing. With most major airlines you must be at the gate 20 minutes ahead of time to keep your seat assignment and 10 minutes to hold your reservation. But the rules vary, so it's best to get there as early as possible.

What do you do if you get bumped?

Your airline must confirm you on the next flight that has space -- even if it's First Class -- or get you on another airline. If it can't get you to your destination within two hours of your scheduled arrival time, the airline owes you up to $400.

What do you do if your airline loses your bags for good?

Airlines will reimburse you up to $2,500 for lost clothing and bags. But if more pricey items like cameras and jewelry and electronics equipment are gone, you're out of luck. There's no reimbursement for that.

What do airlines do if they can never locate the owner of a bag?

Everything winds up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. So if you're ever delayed or bumped in the Scottsboro area do what smart shoppers have been doing for years -- pick up bargains on everything from jewelry to golf clubs. It's all on sale at huge discounts.

AIR FARE DEALS
www.frommers.com

Air Fair: Did you know the airlines offer free flights or cash back if your fare falls? We know how it feels. After haggling with reservations agents and carefully surveying the airfare scene, you finally snag the cheapest ticket around. And just as you're basking in your post-purchase glory (you got the best buy, after all), much to your horror, the same airline comes out with a better deal a week later! That's just the way the ball bounces? Well, not really. As it turns out, in many cases, you can actually get some of that money back.

To get the lowdown on this airfare mystery, we probed public relations departments and reservation agents of a few major U.S. carriers (Alaska Airlines, America West, American, Continental, Delta, Midway, Frontier, Northwest, TWA, United, and U.S. Airways), as well as international carrier British Airways. Surprisingly, most airlines will compensate you for this travel trauma--some better than others. If you step forward and tell your airline you bought your ticket before prices sank, it will probably offer you a travel voucher in the amount of the fare difference, which you can use to pay for a future flight on the same airline.

Vouchers issued by American, Delta, Northwest, TWA, and United can be credited towards any future flight, domestic or international, and are transferable (meaning you're not the only one who can use it). US Airways stands alone in its travel voucher policy: They don't offer 'em! The only way to get any money back from this airline is to fork over $100, so there's really no need to bother unless the price difference is more than the fee.

British Airways takes the cake when it comes to customer service and "cash" refunds. Unlike any of the US carriers, it'll give you the refund in any form (voucher or cash), for free! Credit cards will be credited the difference and a check will be issued for original cash or check payments.

For the other airlines, exceptions abound, but they're easily navigable: For vouchers issued for Delta's international tickets, you'll have to pay a $100 fee; on America West and Alaska Airlines, coupons are not transferable; with Continental and Midway vouchers, you must sign them over in the presence of a Continental or Midway agent if you want to use them for someone else; and, travel vouchers issued for international ticket price adjustments are only good for other travel abroad on Continental.

Of the cash-back fees, by the way, Alaska Airlines has the lowest, $50, but charges usually start at $75. American, Continental, Midway, TWA, United, and US Airways jack the price up to $100 for this same "adjustment" service on any ticket (US Airways will not refund tickets paid for in cash). If your flight was international, expect a fee of around $100-again, all the more reason to simply request a free voucher.

Northwest doesn't even offer cash back, just vouchers. And forget about Frontier--all their tickets are non-refundable, so once you pay the fare, you're stuck with it.  You'll find the same rule true with
most of the bargain carriers.

To take advantage of this little-known loophole, call the reservations agent or visit your nearest ticketing office as soon as you hear about the lower fare. But be speedy and accurate, since ticket prices are notoriously unstable and sales end as quickly as they start. If the sale fare has an "advance purchase requirement," you must call to get your refund before the cut-off date. If it doesn't, these adjustments can be made as late as the day of your departure for most airlines.

It can be a little tricky when it comes to airline tickets, what with all their "restrictions and requirements," so if you're not sure if you're eligible for a price adjustment, just ring up your carrier's reservation agents and they can help you out.

One last caveat: Fair or not, Web fares are often considered separate from "published" sale fares, so be sure to check with the agent if you find the lower price online. Getting money back from an online fare sale can be impossible.

So, while the airfare ball may bounce, just remember--it's in your court.

http://www.frommers.com/newsletters/03-14-01/article4.html

TRAVEL BITS

March 22, 2001: Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas presents an energetic new production, STORM, that combines the elements of a live concert with the special effects and energy of a theatrical production.

Jamie King is the creative director, having been involved in the direction of Britney Spears' "Oops I Did It Again" and is the ongoing artistic director for Ricky Martin.

Drawing on the concepts of the four elements, Fire, Earth, Wind and Water, STORM is a highly developed artistic vision of Heat, Vision, Passion-A Musical Journey of Human Emotion Expressed Through the forces of Nature.

Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89119-1006

MAUI MADNESS: Hawaii beckons and beckons and…..well, you get the idea. What happens to all those people who go on vacation and decide not to return home to the mainland?

A recent trip to Maui was very disheartening. Within one year, living and shopping developments have sprung up, and every square inch of the island seems to have a price tag on it-a steep price tag.

Fast-food franchises are everywhere, and hotel prices are inching up. Pristine public beaches are being encroached upon by expensive builders who are taking access away from the public. Prices for meals have become exorbitant, and the quality of food has gone down. Demand is overwhelming the market. We'll keep you posted.