2006-11-16

Flying Boobies

Now that I've got your attention - I cannot believe this topic is back in the news again - ESPECIALLY here in Vermont, where I consider my neighbors fairly enlightened, and where we have LAWS ON THE BOOKS to protect mothers and children exactly from this kind of discrimination!

Most of you know my opinion on this topic already - so I'll share the recent Burlington Free Press news articles directly with you.

Woman alleges she was kicked off Burlington flight for breast-feeding

By Sky Barsch, Free Press Staff Writer

November 14, 2006
A New Mexico woman who was kicked off an airplane departing from Burlington International Airport after she breast-fed her 22-month-old daughter has filed a complaint against two airlines with the Vermont Human Rights Commission.

Emily Gillette, 27, filed a charge with the commission last week -- a step citizens can take before suing in court -- after a Freedom Airlines flight attendant allegedly told Gillette that she offended her, ordering her to cover up.

Robert Appel, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, said statute prevented him from saying whether the charge had been filed with his office. He did say that breast-feeding is protected under the Public Accommodations Act, meaning that a mother is allowed to breast-feed in public. Gillette's attorney, Elizabeth Boepple, provided documentation to the Free Press of the charge filed with the Human Rights Commission.

In that filing and in a telephone interview Monday, Gillette said she, her husband, Brad, and their daughter, River, were seated on Delta Flight 6160, a code-shared flight with Freedom Airlines, on Oct. 13 awaiting takeoff. The family, which had been visiting relatives in Vermont, was on its way to New York City to rendezvous with family visiting from out of state and out of the country. The flight had been delayed by three hours, and it was about 10 p.m. when it appeared that it was nearing takeoff time.

Gillette said she was seated in the second-to-last row, next to the window, when she began to breast-feed her daughter. Breast-feeding helps babies with the altitude changes through takeoff and landings, Gillette said. She said she was being discreet -- her husband was seated between her and the aisle -- and no part of her breast was showing.

Gillette said that's when a flight attendant approached her, trying to hand her a blanket and directing her to cover up. Gillette said she told the attendant she was exercising her legal right to breast-feed, declining the blanket. That's when Gillette alleges the attendant told her, "You are offending me," and told her to cover up her daughter's head with the blanket.

"I declined," Gillette said in her complaint.

Moments later, a Delta ticket agent approached the Gillettes and said that the flight attendant was having the family removed from the flight.

Gillette said she didn't raise her voice -- not wanting to make a scene in the current jumpy air travel atmosphere -- and complied with the ticket agent, crying as she exited the plane.

Paul Skellon, a spokesperson for Phoenix-based Freedom Airlines, said he was aware of the incident.

"A breast-feeding mother is perfectly acceptable on an aircraft, providing she is feeding the child in a discreet way," that doesn't bother others, Skellon said. "She was asked to use a blanket just to provide a little more discretion, she was given a blanket, and she refused to use it, and that's all I know."

Skellon said the airline investigated the incident, and the flight attendant is still employed.

Gillette said she felt "really ashamed."

"It embarrassed me. That was my first reaction, which is a weird reaction for doing something so good for a child. And then helpless," Gillette said. "I wasn't even allowed to get angry because it could have been held against me. Then, devastated all around."

Delta provided ground transportation, hotel accommodations and new tickets on another airline, according to Boepple, a Manchester attorney, who is representing Gillette. Gillette, who owns restaurant equipment and repair companies with her husband, said she spent the family weekend on the phone with airline representatives upset from the incident.

Asked what she hoped to come of the case, Gillette said she wants to see policy change.

"I don't have any kind of high expectations. I'd really love to see them make a donation to an organization I choose. And, yeah, I want another trip with my family."

However - this is the kind of response I am proud to say was staged by some fellow Vermonters...

'Nurse-in' draws large support for breast-feeding

By Sky Barsch

November 15, 2006
SOUTH BURLINGTON — About 30 mothers and fathers — and dozens of their young children — gathered in front of the Delta Air Lines check-in desk at Burlington International Airport this morning, staging a "nurse-in" to say they were upset that a woman was kicked off a plane for breast-feeding.

The nurse-in, organized by Burlington mother Sharon Panitch, lasted more than an hour, as women nursed their babies, displayed signs, and talked to each other about breast-feeding issues.

"I just think it’s unbelievable that it happened in 2006, especially in Vermont" said Lora McAllister, a mother from Swanton. "It’s kind of mind boggling."

McAllister was referring to what happened to Emily Gillette, a New Mexico woman who was kicked off an Oct. 13 flight departing from Burlington. The flight was operated by Freedom Airlines, which was operating a commuter flight for Delta Air Lines. Gillette said that at about 10 p.m., after a three-hour delay, she began to discretely nurse her 22-month-old daughter as they prepared for take off.

That’s when Gillette says a flight attendant approached her, directing her to cover up with a blanket. When Gillette declined, the attendant allegedly told her that she was offended, and the Gillettes were kicked off the plane. Gillette has filed a charge against the two airlines with the Vermont Human Rights Commission because breast-feeding is protected under Vermont’s Public Accommodations Law.

Freedom Airlines representatives did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment. Paul Skellon, a spokesperson for the Phoenix-based carrier, said Monday he was aware of the incident.

"A breast-feeding mother is perfectly acceptable on an aircraft, providing she is feeding the child in a discreet way," that doesn't bother others, Skellon said. "She was asked to use a blanket just to provide a little more discretion, she was given a blanket, and she refused to use it, and that's all I know."

Skellon said the airline investigated the incident, and the flight attendant is still employed.

At the airport today, mothers, fathers and grandmothers showed their support for Gillette and breast-feeding. One woman wore a sign that read "BREASTFEEDING" and her son wore a sign that read "BREASTFED."

"I was horrified that a mother could be humiliated like that," said Caroline Beer, 34, of Burlington.

The parents praised Burlington International Airport for allowing the demonstration and for being accommodating.


If you have questions on the laws surrounding Breastfeeding in your home state, I recommend contacting your local La Leche League chapter.

And lastly, a BIG shout out to Ethan's Mom for sharing these links with me! Love and best wishes to you both!

2 comments:

Vinny said...

I'm so glad you saw this. I saw it too, and couldn't believe the byline was Burlington!

What is up with you people and the boobies? It's a long winter in Vermont. Boobies are just one of many important tools to beat the winter blahs.

The Contessa said...

Only a man....

BERNIE!!