Travel guru Samantha Brown’s 3 tips to avoid flight delays

A Dallas native who grew up in New Hampshire, Brown, 52 years outdated, didn’t plan on such an unlikely path. She began out eager to make it as an actress — musical theater was a selected ardour — however took different alternatives as they got here her approach. Touring the world turned the final word alternative.

At the moment, Brown, who relies in New York Metropolis, will be on the street a number of months a 12 months. However she put down her suitcase to speak with MarketWatch not too long ago about her life and work and to share some recommendation about the best way to keep away from journey pitfalls, particularly on this summer time of persistent flight cancellations and different trip nightmares. Listed below are excerpts from the dialog.

MarketWatch: How did you get the journey bug?

Brown: Surprisingly, it was about 4 years into my job with the Journey Channel. I received the job as a number not being a journey journalist in any type of approach, simply being a beginner who actually beloved the expertise. However it’s a job working in entrance of a digital camera, so I used to be daunted by that. The journey bug actually hit me after I was doing a collection in Latin America. I had spent a lot time in Europe, the place I felt (it) was all about being prior to now, with the castles and the museums and the monuments. After which, whenever you go to Latin America, they don’t have all that pomp and circumstance that Europe has. So that you spend extra time simply being within the second, and that is after I simply realized I love journey. I don’t care about museums. I care about being with folks of their on a regular basis lives, and Latin America gave me that that probability.

MarketWatch: What are some journey journeys you may give, particularly by way of coping with and even avoiding flight delays and cancellations?

Brown: The very first thing you need to do is e-book the earliest flight you possibly can, and that’s a 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. flight. It’s exhausting getting up at 3, 4 a.m., however it’s completely value it. That’s the airplane that (at all times) leaves. All these issues occur later within the day (with) extra site visitors, extra delays.

For those who can go direct — and I do know for some folks this simply isn’t doable — it’s definitely worth the value. Completely pay for a direct flight in the event you can, even when it’s paying for a direct flight and perhaps renting a automobile and driving an additional two hours.

The opposite factor I believe is admittedly necessary is you e-book straight with the airways. I’ve by no means booked with a third-party website. You’ve gotten much more credibility. You’re increased of their listing of invaluable prospects. And if one thing goes mistaken they’re the folks you name, and they’ll choose up the cellphone and they’ll be capable of change your flight that has been canceled or delayed. If it’s a third-party website, that’s not going to occur, and it’s actually exhausting to search out out who you do name.

Final piece of recommendation — and it’s at all times actually labored for me — I exploit Twitter to get in contact with (the airline’s) customer support if my flight is canceled. That’s the very very first thing that I do. You’ll be able to unsolicited mail each single airline on their Twitter
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feed. Ship them your affirmation code, saying “My flight’s been canceled. Can I get on the following flight?” and they’re able to e-book you. I do this as I’m getting in (the customer-service) line if I’m on the airport. Whilst you’re in that line, you’re tweeting.

MarketWatch: Extra folks than ever are in all probability going to be bringing carry-ons onto the airplane as an alternative of checking a suitcase as of late, so what are some keys to packing mild?

Brown: Properly, first, I believe it’s to keep in mind that you’re not internet hosting the Oscars, you’re simply happening trip.

You need to maximize tops — you possibly can carry 10 tops, and so they gained’t refill a carry-on. Pants will. And with regards to pants, you need to carry issues that you would be able to simply wipe off with a sponge, proper? Ought to mustard out of your scorching canine on the airport fall in your black pants, it’s fairly simple to identify deal with. I’ll additionally carry clothes that I do know simply washes properly in a sink, and I can dry in a single day hung over the bathe.

The way in which I alter outfits, make them a little bit extra modern, it’s simply with equipment. It’s wonderful what a shawl does for an outfit.

Sneakers are your nemesis. Sneakers take up approach an excessive amount of room. And nobody actually cares (what’s in your ft). Lots of people will argue with me on that. However in the event you’re taking a look at my ft, I simply don’t care.

MarketWatch: What has been your greatest journey nightmare?

Brown: On my gosh. Being caught on the airport, principally this summer time…Plenty of it’s simply understanding that you just’re not going to get residence whenever you need, and to make the very best of it.

MarketWatch: What’s your go-to airport meals?

Brown: Eggs, toast and low.

MarketWatch: Finest piece of monetary recommendation you’ve ever been given?

Brown: Stay beneath your means. I sort of realized via my mother and father. They by no means actually taught me about funds, however I realized from them that simply since you need one thing doesn’t imply you get it. I then moved to New York Metropolis, the place I waited on tables for eight years, and made $18,000 to $20,000 a 12 months, and that’s not some huge cash to dwell on. And so, after I lastly did begin to earn cash, I knew I by no means needed to really feel the way in which I did for the primary eight years of being in New York Metropolis, and by no means having sufficient and at all times worrying about hire and what I used to be going to purchase on the grocery retailer and that type of factor. So I’ve at all times been keen to save lots of and I don’t see a whole lot of enormous advantages in spending. I wish to see that cash protected.

MarketWatch: What do you hate spending cash on?

Brown: Issues that I forgot to pack that I’ve and I like. And now I’ve to purchase them. And never solely do I’ve to purchase them, I’ve to purchase them at like 4 occasions the associated fee. So, as an illustration, in the event you’re in Europe, the place the whole lot is exceptionally costly, particularly garments, and also you forgot like a rain jacket. And now I’ve to spend $220 on what’s only a primary rain jacket. Argh! Otherwise you’re in Switzerland and now you’re spending $10 for a toothbrush. I at all times overlook my toothbrush. That’s one thing about me that’s simply constant in my 25 years of journey. I at all times overlook my toothbrush.

MarketWatch: What’s one thing you’re prepared to splurge on?

Brown: Handmade objects. I by no means haggle with folks. I by no means attempt to speak them down in value. I at all times admire the truth that they’ve achieved one thing with their arms, and that that is one thing distinctive. Generally I simply need to give them more cash.

MarketWatch: A favourite possession?

Brown: I’ve this lovely Limoges porcelain figurine that I really received on the manufacturing facility the place they make Limoges in France. It’s this lady holding a basket of Valencia oranges. I’ll always remember (how I received) that as a result of I used to be having a extremely exhausting day. Issues weren’t going properly again at residence. I used to be 1000’s upon 1000’s of miles away. A lady noticed that I used to be struggling, and she or he mentioned, “Right here, have this.” So, it was a present. Each time I take a look at that, I nonetheless consider the kindness that I used to be given.

MarketWatch: What’s a job you’d take even in the event you didn’t receives a commission?

Brown: I’d love to assist the aged as a result of I really feel like they’ve such a knowledge to them that’s by no means tapped, is rarely actually appreciated. People who find themselves older, and who’ve lived their lives, have a lot nice recommendation and knowledge to provide. I’d like to work with them simply to assist them. After which, after all, have them assist me in return.

MarketWatch: When most individuals discuss retirement, they are saying they’re going to journey extra. In your case, you’ve already traveled the world. So is your good concept of retirement simply staying at residence?

Brown: It’s having a backyard, that’s my concept of retirement. I’d like to have an attractive little backyard that you need to are likely to each day. (Or) take up hobbies that I may actually decide to for longer than three days earlier than I’ve to go away once more. I’d nonetheless journey, however there can be a way of me simply hunkering down and actually having fun with being residence.

MarketWatch: Lastly, a spot that each American ought to go to?

Brown: Wherever abroad the place the tradition is totally different, and the language is totally different. In order that’s not the U.Ok. It’s so eye-opening going to a spot the place completely nothing is acquainted. Nothing. Not even what they’ve for breakfast. It completely opens your thoughts and simply enriches what and what you don’t know. I like this wonderful lightness of being human that occurs as a result of we’re not holding on to what we all know. What’s acquainted can really be a burden. And whenever you’re in locations that provide you with none of that, all you are able to do is simply be in awe and revel in.