There are headlines making their way around the internet which suggest that Air Canada forced a mother to breastfeed in the lavatory. That’s just not true.
A woman was warned that she would need to breastfeed her child in the lavatory…by a reservations agent. The agent offered to transfer her to Air Canada’s “medical line” to discuss further. She was shocked and tweeted to Air Canada her disgust.
https://twitter.com/StephVDBG/status/1102435418539122689
Air Canada was quick to respond that the agent was incorrect and that she was welcome to breastfeed onboard in her seat.
And it’s not like Air Canada had much of a choice…that is the law of the land in most Canadian provinces.
That's great that you "support" breastfeeding onboard. But don't forget, you are legally mandated to allow a mother to breastfeed in any place that mother is permitted to be. Such as, the seat she paid for. A pledge for more active training would be best.
— Maeve (@PragueorBrno) March 5, 2019
@AirCanada The right to breastfeed in public is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is also explicitly spelled out in the Human Rights Code of ON and BC. Until you train your employees properly, you are at risk of a lawsuit.
— Milo Shandel (@MiloShandel) March 5, 2019
Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told USA Today:
We have a longstanding policy of supporting breastfeeding onboard our aircraft wherever mothers feel comfortable. To be clear, this incident did not occur onboard a flight. The customer spoke to a Call Centre agent who was fairly new and was not aware of our policy; we have since reminded all Call Centre employees of it.
While not a justification, at least it helps to explain what happened. And I hope it is a wake-up call as well that Air Canada must ensure its agents are well-trained in these important matters.
Now I’m just curious here, but does anyone think a mother should be forced to breastfeed her baby in the lavatory? I’m frankly surprised she even called. I’m certainly never going to eat in the lavatory. Why should a baby just because someone may be too uncomfortable with a partially-exposed (or even fully-exposed) breast? The bond between baby and mother via breastfeeding is beautiful.
CONCLUSION
This story piqued my attention for two reasons. One, because so many misleading headlines popped up about this. Two, because I’m surprised an agent would provide such misinformation. Who tells a mother she must breastfeed in the grimy, filthy lavatory of a regional jet? Or am I just stuck in my European / West Coast bubble?
image: Air Canada
Is it our fault the puritan white forefathers sexualized breasts to such degree that we have these issues now? Makes you wonder how they were any different than today’s Islamic sharia law jihadists.
Once again fake white puritan ideals cause problems for everyone. Women’s breasts are beautiful. Free them.
Not sure why you’re surprised she called in. It seems to be in vogue for a certain kind of person to ask questions they already know the answer to, for the purposes of being outraged when they get a wrong answer back
Do you think she was fishing for controversy?
I’m trying not to suggest she was fishing for controversy. However in the modern age a percentage of people definitely are doing so
She absolutely was fisihing for controversy and, likely, the subsequent internet fame we are now providing her. Her response to AC – That’s great that you “support” breastfeeding onboard. But don’t forget, you are legally mandated to allow a mother to breastfeed in any place that mother is permitted to be. Such as, the seat she paid for. A pledge for more active training would be best. – smacks of a desire to make a name for herself. Agree completely with Nancy’s assertion that this passenger already knew the law, received contradictory information, then proceeded to make a very public mountain of a molehill for attention.
I don’t think her goal was to fish for controversy. I think she knew that there are misinformed people out there who work for airlines and might cause a scene if she were to breastfeed on a plane, so she wanted to confirm Air Canada’s policies in advance. Don’t forget that, thanks to airline staff going renegade in the past, another mother had to sit with her child in lap for 4+hours despite having paid for a seat for the child. I did the same thing (called in advance to confirm a policy) last month when I flew to Shanghai via the visa waiver program; knowing that many staff members might not be familiar with this policy despite it being part of their job, it was helpful to confirm the policy with reservations and figure out a plan if misinformed staff tried to stop me from boarding my flight. In all of these instances, the goal was to prepare for misinformed staff.
Hi Debit
You just demonstrated what a coward and retard you are by bring in Islamic Sharia law jihadists in this discussion.
The killing of muslim in New Zealand – place of worship ( Practicing Islamic Sharia law ) seems to be welcome by you.
Ismail
No idea what you just said.
ismail, you seem to have a limited reading comprehension.
Debit was being offensive, for sure, as he usually is in all of his comments here.He said nothing whatsoever though to denigrate Muslims in general or to “welcome” the horrific events in New Zealand.
Either you are a troll, or you truly lack the most basic logical skills; and have a have a lot be angry about.
It’s a rare moment I find myself defending Debit’s comments but come on – get real.
Ismail is not real. He/ she was trolling but doesn’t know enough about anything to effectively troll.
First off, I fully agree with the law of the land and breastfeeding is permitted almost anywhere, possibly anywhere.
Having stated the above, I am not sure we should blame Puritan customs for most male attraction to women’s breasts. I truly believe that for the minority (male, hetero, non-queer) this is the way people are wired.
This is timely:
https://www.businessinsider.com/why-are-human-breasts-big-2018-2?utm_source=reddit.com
If only human females have permanent breasts them I think they developed evolutionarily as sex symbols. A way to attract men. You would think feminists and men haters would not have breasts but they do. Maybe they are just hiding their feelings.
Air Canada is a disgusting company and an absolute disgrace to all Canadians. They should be banned from carrying our country’s name.
How is prancing around half naked different from me taking my boxer shorts off? These type of physiological actions must not take place in public. If a male goes to a bar shirtless he might be denied service. Why not women who whip out their boobs wherever they want to? Just go to the bathroom or feed your baby beforehand. Your decision to reproduce must not inconvenience anyone around you.
Exactly. On a stop through the Baltimore airport there is a big box for women to breastfeed out of sight. This is the disgraceful approach in the US. Young people in the US should disobey this in mass.
The bond between 2 people in love is also beautiful. Ergo we should allow people to boink wherever they want.
I think she made up this story.