Air Canada Asked A Woman To Breastfeed In An Airplane Bathroom
#16
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,889
There are those people who should not be facing the customer... unfortunately AC attracts a lot of these and they don't know where to put them...
#17
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC .99MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,157
Something just doesn't add up here. It is a "regular" occurrence on flights and I have never, ever seen someone at AC object in any way.
I have heard an FA tell a mother she should not start breastfeeding until wheels up and to stop just before wheels down, but I suspect that was more of a safety issue (for the baby and the mother). I have heard of a woman who was walking the aisle breastfeeding and was asked to take her seat, but again, that would be a safety issue.
I find it hard to believe that an FA with any experience whatsoever would even suggest such a thing.
I have heard an FA tell a mother she should not start breastfeeding until wheels up and to stop just before wheels down, but I suspect that was more of a safety issue (for the baby and the mother). I have heard of a woman who was walking the aisle breastfeeding and was asked to take her seat, but again, that would be a safety issue.
I find it hard to believe that an FA with any experience whatsoever would even suggest such a thing.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: SFO/YYZ
Programs: AC 25K, AS MVP Gold, BA Bronze, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,431
Something just doesn't add up here. It is a "regular" occurrence on flights and I have never, ever seen someone at AC object in any way.
I have heard an FA tell a mother she should not start breastfeeding until wheels up and to stop just before wheels down, but I suspect that was more of a safety issue (for the baby and the mother). I have heard of a woman who was walking the aisle breastfeeding and was asked to take her seat, but again, that would be a safety issue.
I find it hard to believe that an FA with any experience whatsoever would even suggest such a thing.
I have heard an FA tell a mother she should not start breastfeeding until wheels up and to stop just before wheels down, but I suspect that was more of a safety issue (for the baby and the mother). I have heard of a woman who was walking the aisle breastfeeding and was asked to take her seat, but again, that would be a safety issue.
I find it hard to believe that an FA with any experience whatsoever would even suggest such a thing.
#20
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Well now I'm annoyed, because Ms BDBG didn't shy away from the implication this occurred on board.
They will go listen to the recorded conversation and likely find out that the phone agent was asked something along the lines of "is there a private place I can breastfeed my baby?"
Well spotted @Yhztraveller
They will go listen to the recorded conversation and likely find out that the phone agent was asked something along the lines of "is there a private place I can breastfeed my baby?"
Well spotted @Yhztraveller
#21
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC .99MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,157
Based on this subsequent tweet, it sounds like she was told this by a phone rep, not a FA.
https://twitter.com/StephVDBG/status...34674800226305
https://twitter.com/StephVDBG/status...34674800226305
#22
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: YHZ
Programs: AC SE100K, AC .99MM, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold,Hertz something or other, Sandals Sapphire, etc
Posts: 1,157
Even that does not make sense, as it would not be safe or hygenic for the mother/baby, and it would tie up a lav. I would have guessed that AC would prefer that someone not breastfeed in a lav, although it may not be official policy.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Delta, BC
Posts: 1,645
- person A asked question of person B; person B offered an off-the-cuff answer that wasn't appropriate (although it may to some extent actually have been correct).
- person A complains publicly about ill-considered answer from person B - person A does not provide clear context of the question/answer.
- person C, D, E ... erupt.
- person A returns to provide some context.
- eruption has already occurred - context now irrelevant.
- Air Canada sued for human rights violation and forced into bankruptcy.
- No one flies or breastfeeds on AC again.
#24
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: FOTSG Tangerine Ex E35k (AC)
Posts: 5,612
And here in YYZ its now March 8th. International Womans day.
Good on her for calling out AC. Social media is the only way to make them listen with things like this.
And being told on the phone is still not acceptable imo. Better than a FA, but still not right. Hey dont they record the calls?
Good on her for calling out AC. Social media is the only way to make them listen with things like this.
And being told on the phone is still not acceptable imo. Better than a FA, but still not right. Hey dont they record the calls?
#26
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 492
I am not clear on the context. Perhaps the question was whether there was a private room suitable for breast-feeding on the plane and the reply was the only private space on the plane are in fact the lavatories. But why would anybody believe that they were breast-feeding private spaces on the plane, and why on earth would anybody suggest that anybody use the lavatory. It just doesnt make any sense to me.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,742
It may well be that some churches still don't allow it today...But I would expect cabin crews to be well aware of the rules today. Especially after the WS case of a couple of years back was met with a huge backlash and was well-publicized.
#28
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canada's worst airport....YYJ
Programs: AC: E75K, Marriott :Titanium, National: EXEC ELITE
Posts: 592
I am not clear on the context. Perhaps the question was whether there was a private room suitable for breast-feeding on the plane and the reply was the only private space on the plane are in fact the lavatories. But why would anybody believe that they were breast-feeding private spaces on the plane, and why on earth would anybody suggest that anybody use the lavatory. It just doesnt make any sense to me.
#29
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 492
This makes the most sense. She probably asked/demanded a private place, and was advised that the lav would be the only option is she wanted privacy. As a millennial, and even worse a doctor, she probably believed that AC should give her a J pod and erect a curtain for her.
#30
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 53
Full story needed
the funny thing is she posted a second tweet saying she was told this on the phone by an ac rep but who knows who she was talking to. Could be a travel agent for all we know. Since the ac policy is pro breastfeeding, they recommend breastfeeding babies during takeboff and landing to help with ear pressure, it doesnt seem like something a reservations person would say. Its also possible she asked where she could do it and was told you could use the restroom and got triggered. Funny how these stories take off without all the information needed to know what happened.