Q Is there an organization I can get involved with to help reform chronic airline schedule problems? Perhaps something like Mothers Against Delayed Departures?

A The closest you may come is Flyersrights.org, a nonprofit organization that represents airline passengers and is working on getting a passenger bill of rights passed by Congress. The group offers a hot line for stranded passengers (1-877-359-3776) and an anonymous tip line for airline employees (1-877-887-2678). Another is the Association for Airline Passenger Rights. Its mission, according to its website, is "to promote fairer customer service and accessibility standards in the airline industry and to improve passenger satisfaction."

Your question conveys more than a little annoyance and I have little doubt it is based on truly bad experiences. I'd like to point out that, probably because overall air traffic is down, on-time arrival rates are on the rise. In August, the last month for which U.S. Department of Transportation data is available, 80 percent of flights arrived on time. But then, 20 percent means a lot of unhappy fliers.

Answers to travelers' questions appear in Travel weekly and every Monday at startribune.com/escapeartists; send your question by e-mail to travel@startribune.com.

KERRI WESTENBERG

ON THE HORIZON

Winter Trails will celebrate its 15th year Jan. 9 at locations nationwide with free snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The annual event is designed to offer kids and adults who are new to snow sports a chance to check them out with free equipment and trail access. You can check locations at www.WinterTrails.org. Locations include alpine resorts, Nordic centers, state parks, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service land. Details on the website.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ON DISPLAY: SEVERAL CITIES

Cities around the country are featuring Leonardo da Vinci's work. In New York, "Leonardo Da Vinci's Workshop: Inventor + Artist + Dreamer," opens Nov. 20 at the Discovery Times Square Exposition and runs through April 4. The show offers full-scale, interactive models of Da Vinci's inventions, including his ideas for the airplane, automobile, robot knight and mechanical lion.

In Baltimore, "Da Vinci - The Genius: A Traveling Exhibit" at the Maryland Science Center through Jan. 31 features some of his inventions, anatomical drawings and writings, plus "secrets of 'The Last Supper' and the 'Mona Lisa' revealed in 3D animation. "

In Atlanta, an exhibit of sculptures and sketches by Da Vinci and his contemporaries is at the High Museum. The exhibit will be at the High until February, when a modified version of the show travels to the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles. The centerpiece is a nearly 30-foot-tall re-creation of Da Vinci's destroyed horse statue, which towers over the plaza outside the High. The work was never completed because the bronze intended for the statue was used to make cannons, and a plaster model was destroyed by soldiers.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

REAL DEAL

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is offering a free night at a number of luxe properties in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. For example, stay two nights and receive a free third night at the Carlyle in New York; San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif.; or the Mansion on Peachtree in Atlanta. Or spend four nights and get a fifth free at Caneel Bay on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Jumby Bay in Antigua, among others. Travel Jan. 3 to May 30. For more information, call 1-888-ROSEWOOD or www.rosewoodhotels.com. Request "More Rosewood."

WASHINGTON POST

SIDE ROADS

Check out the holiday splendor of Rochester during two special events this month.

Mayowood Christmas tours will highlight holiday decorations at the Charles Mayo mansion Fridays through Sundays through Nov. 22.

The historic mansion was once owned by Mayo, a founder of the Mayo Clinic. Hours vary. Tickets for daytime tours are $15 for adults, $7 for ages 10 and under. Friday and Saturday evening guided tours are $20 per person. Reservations required. Call the Olmsted County History Center at 1-507-282-9447 Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Also in Rochester, the Festival of Trees takes place Nov. 25-29 at the Mayo Civic Center. Dozens of decorated trees and displays will transform the exhibit hall into a sparkling holiday wonderland. The show includes live entertainment. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $3 for ages 3-12. 1-507-424-2866.

COLLEEN A. COLES