Broke-Ass of the Week – Flight Attendant Heather Poole

Every week we feature a different person from the community shedding a little light on their life of brokeitude.  Who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about the human spirit'probably not.

Wanna be a Broke-Ass of the Week?  Holler at us here and we’ll send you the questionnaire.

On the heels of everyone’s favorite story about flight attendants, we have a lovely flight attendant as our Broke-Ass of the Week.

Heather Poole isn’t just another lady of the skies slanging drinks, she’s also one who writes about it. Besides her personal blog, Heather also has a column called Galley Gossip on the travel website Gadling.  And if that wasn’t keeping her busy enough she’s also working on a book of essays about her life at 30,000 feet.

Because we’re both travel people, I somehow came across her on twitter and we’ve been busting each other’s balls ever since.  I’m just hoping to one day run into her as my flight attendant.  But until then, let’s see what she’s gotta say:

Name: Heather Poole

Age: Who wants to know?

Occupation: Flight attendant, stewardess, sky hostess, trolley dolly, and my least favorite of all – a waitress in the sky.

What neighborhood do you live in?: Not too far from LAX (Los Angeles, California)

What are you listening to these days?: Besides people complaining? Silence '“ if I can help it.

Best money saving tip: 1. If you don’t NEED or don’t LOVE it, don’t buy it. 2. I’ve been pretty lucky booking high end hotels at deeply discounted rates by booking online at hotels.com the day of my arrival.

What do you refuse to spend money on?: The hotel mini bar.

Most expensive thing you’ve ever bought: An IWC watch. Almost had it engraved 'œhappy birthday to me!'

How’d that feel?: Great – until I lost it.

Favorite cheap eat: Tacos

Favorite dive bar: I haven’t been to a dive bar in years. I’m all about the food now. A million years ago Brother Jimmy’s in Manhattan used to offer airline personnel buy one get one free drinks if we showed them our ID. That was fun.

Best deal you’ve ever gotten: 75% off at Fed Ex (airline discount)

Favorite free thing to do: Walk on the beach at sunset

If you woke up a millionaire, what’s the first thing you’d buy?: A house with a yard bigger than the 767 coach galley. Or maybe just a new wardrobe.

Despite not having money, do you still love your life?: I wouldn’t say I don’t have money. I’ve been very fortunate these last few years. But back when I wasn’t as fortunate money-wise, I gave up an opportunity to work for a clothing line in New York because they only offered me 50K a year. I didn’t think it was enough to live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. A year later I wound up living in Queens as a flight attendant making less than 18K a year. Had the best time of my life, too. Life is about experiences, and you don’t need money for that.

Do you own my book?: Not yet. Know where I can find an autographed copy?

Best hangover cure: Sleep.

Are you a hipster?: Probably not considering I’m going to have to Google the word and get back to you.