ProMoM Discussion Forums

[SassyD]

Here is a letter I sent to an attorney regarding the harassment I incurred while flying on Jet Blue

November 19, 2020

To Whom It May Concern:

This past weekend I was flying on Jet Blue Airlines when two flight attendants repeatedly harassed me and insulted me in front of passengers telling me I would have to cover my baby with a blanket if I was going to nurse her, otherwise I'd have to stop. They claimed that passengers were complaining, male passengers in particular.

When I explained that I wouldn't cover her because one, it was too hot two, I couldn't see what I was doing and three, I didn't wish to one of the attendants said, "well Miss, there's such a thing as modesty” and asked the passenger next to me, "can I at least turn this light off?" Other passengers could hear her and I was completely humiliated and embarrassed.

If that was not bad enough, the other attendant then approached me again and he informed me after I refused to cover her, that he would file an incident report against me for not complying with their airline policy. When another passenger walking by overheard this HE told the flight attendant he would have to leave me alone and it was just wrong what he (they) were doing to me. This went on for about fifteen minutes (the entire time I was feeding my child). I asked repeatedly for them to let me feed her in peace and to consider that I had another child next to me who was getting upset by the incident.

Upon my return flight back to New York (from California) I had to nurse my baby again, of course and I felt completely inhibited and insecure. I have two healthy beautiful daughters who I have nursed proudly, knowing I was giving my children the very best. Now when I nurse I look around with shame and fear of being harassed. They have taken from me that beautiful bond and replaced it with trauma.

I was told by the airline customer service that they would do everything to make us feel comfortable on our return. Instead what I got when I checked in was a rude attendant who refused to seat us in "bulk-head" seating in spite of the notes on the record from their customer service who specified bulk-head seating. I was also asked to take my four month old out of her carrier during take off, while it was within federal aviation policy to keep her in it, it was not the policy of the airline. This is ludicrous. My baby should also be safe during take off and not free from a harness to protect her if something were to go wrong.

I was extremely disappointed and traumatized by this whole event and worry for the next mother flying on their airline or any other airline, who may be too afraid to stand up for her civil right to nurse her child.

My question to you is what legal recourse do I have to ensure they don't do this to someone else and to make them learn it is unacceptable and unlawful to do what they did to me?

I would greatly appreciate your response.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

_________________
Dena - New York City
_________________
Dena - New York City

[SelinaB]

Dena,

It's a shame about how you were treated on JetBlue. I will definitely remember their name when I am planning travel- I will avoid this airline.

I haven't experienced any harassment about nursing on planes, and I've flown many times with nursing babies/toddlers. If anything, my babies tend to be quieter and more content (with a breast in their face) and I'd think that would make everyone else onboard happy!

I applaud your action in seeking legal support and I wish you the BEST of luck in achieving success in making JetBlue change their policies.
_________________
Selina
Mama to Michael and Andrea!
KCOM Class of 2008!

[kelly1827]

Here's the link I talked about in this post on the BFing Mothers forum:
http://www.promom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1880&highlight=airlines

The airline then was Continental.
_________________
Kelly M.
Mary 04-24-01 "I'm a fairy princess!"
Fiona 09-12-04 "I've got 3 teeth and want to show you how they work..."
Want to promote breastfeeding? Become a
ProMoM member today!

[Wendy Klein]

Wow, that is shocking! I love JetBlue and have had nothing but positive experiences with them. They helped me with my car seat, asked if I needed bottled water, kept an extra seat open for me, they were amazing. It sounds isolated, as I travel twice a month on JetBlue and have never had a problem. I breastfeed my 6 month old baby boy every time, they have been wonderful.

Wendy

[DanaAnagnostou]

It could be (and hopefully is) an isolated incident, but the problem is that the attendants both told her that it is COMPANY POLICY that the baby must be covered.

A letter to the CEO of Jet Blue from Dena was not answered.

ProMoM has made this a 3 Minute Activist issue, until Jet Blue lets us know that they have changed the policy that their flight attendants insist they have.

Dana
_________________
Dana Anagnostou
ProMoM Executive Director

Become a member of ProMoM by clicking here and help us promote breastfeeding!

[Wendy Klein]

GOOD NEWS! I emailed JetBlue about their policy regarding breastfeeding. Here is the response I got:

Dear Wendy,

Thank you for your email. We appreciate your questions and concerns about breastfeeding your baby during your upcoming flight with us. We do not have any "policies" that would prevent you from nursing your baby and welcome all mother's with nursing babies on our flights.

We look forward to seeing you and your baby in the next few weeks. We will try hard to exceed your expectations!

Hope all your skies are JetBlue!

Maryanne
JetBlue Customer Commitment


Looking forward to hearing from you.

Wendy

[DanaAnagnostou]

Interesting -- though the lawyer in me says the "policy" in question doesn't prevent nursing, it just requires that the baby have its head covered ...

I have the name of the two flight attendants and will write to Jet Blue to find out if they have a "baby must be covered" policy and if not, what is going to be done about the flight attendants who insisted such a policy exists.

Dana
_________________
Dana Anagnostou
ProMoM Executive Director

Become a member of ProMoM by clicking here and help us promote breastfeeding!

[DanaAnagnostou]

I wrote to Jet Blue yesterday and received this response:

Hello again Ms. Anagnostou,

I understand your perspective and hope the following information is helpful.

We apologize again for how the breastfeeding situation was handled and we want to
assure you that we share your concerns and have taken steps to make sure it doesn't
happen again. As still a young airline, JetBlue has not had a policy to date
regarding nursing mothers and we certainly do not require mothers to cover the
baby's head when nursing.

We regret how our inflight crewmembers handled this sensitive situation and that
they caused offense. The matter has been reviewed and addressed with the flight
attendants involved.

We're now creating a policy that will stipulate that the baby's head will not need
to be covered while nursing and will train our inflight crewmembers on being more
sensitive on such matters.

Thank you again for sharing your feedback with us.

Sincerely,

Michelle Hansen

Supervisor Customer Commitment Crew

JetBlue Airways

[kelly1827]

Get 'em, Dana! Sic your bad lawyer self on 'em! I'm glad JetBlue has clarified this issue, and I'm more pleased that they specifically spoke about training the flight crew. Good work, Lactivists!

<sniff, sniff> My girls make me sooo proud!
_________________
Kelly M.
Mary 04-24-01 "I'm a fairy princess!"
Fiona 09-12-04 "I've got 3 teeth and want to show you how they work..."
Want to promote breastfeeding? Become a
ProMoM member today!

[DanaAnagnostou]

Below is a follow-up letter from Jet Blue, in response to my request that they clarify their policy a little bit more to ensure that breastfeeding rights are respected -- I don't think they could get too much clearer and am personally happy with how they've responded to our concerns:

______________________________

Dear Ms. Anagnostou,

I appreciate hearing back from you and for your insights regarding the
rights of nursing mothers. You may be interested to know that our VP of
Inflight, Vicky Stemmons has also received a copy of your comments and
has already addressed this matter personally with our inflight trainers
and the crewmembers involved.

I think we are in agreement that our inflight crewmembers reaction to
this specific situation was entirely inappropriate. As a result, we can
assure you that we will educate and coach all of our inflight
crewmembers about a nursing mother's rights. This includes respecting
their preference to nurse where and when they choose, with or without
covering.

Thank you again for offering your suggestions so that we can continue to
improve our customer service and ensure nursing mothers feel comfortable
traveling on JetBlue.

Sincerely,

Michelle Hansen
Supervisor Customer Commitment
JetBlue Airways

[SelinaB]

Wonderful responses from JetBlue!

Thanks, Dena and Dana, for your efforts!

One person really CAN make a difference, setting off a chain of events which helps so many others...
_________________
Selina
Mama to Michael and Andrea!
KCOM Class of 2008!

[kelly1827]

Cool beans! I think I'll try to fly them if I have the option (not that I fly all that much, but you KWIM). Another victory for babies!
_________________
Kelly M.
Mary 04-24-01 "I'm a fairy princess!"
Fiona 09-12-04 "I've got 3 teeth and want to show you how they work..."
Want to promote breastfeeding? Become a
ProMoM member today!

[SassyD]

Recently Jet Blue has made restitution with me regarding this incident.

They say they have "no policy" regarding breastfeeding because they see nothing wrong or inappropriate with breastfeeding one's child. Also, they informed me that the two employees who harrassed me were to undergo sensetivity training and then later told me, while they had to protect the privacy of the employees the action on Jet Blue's part was swift regarding these two employees.

Jet Blue has also reimbursed me for my entire trip and my daughters by giving us two round trip vouchers to be used anytime.

Most importantly I feel confident that this will not happen to another mother while flying on their airline.

Thank you Dana and everyone else for your support.

Sincerely,
_________________
Dena - New York City

[Karla MG]

Dena, thank you for bringing this situation to the attention of ProMoM. And Dana, thank you for offering your "legal insights" the airline and your efforts to support BF mamas...even when they are up high in the air ! Yes, a "grassroots" effort like that ProMoM has truly can, and in this case, HAS made a difference!! Wooohooo!!! Good work everyone that helped! --Karla
_________________
Karla MG, wife to Ryan and mom to Michelle(8/96) and Michael and Jessica(9/99).
ProMoM Forums Administrator and Executive Board Member
Karla@promom.org