AIBU to think KLM's breastfeeding 'policy' is absurd?

[Celebelly]

'Breastfeeding is permitted at KLM flights. However, to ensure that all our passengers of all backgrounds feel comfortable on board, we may request a mother to cover herself while breastfeeding, should other passengers be offended by this.'

This was posted on their official Twitter today.

'Permitted'. Thank god it's 'permitted' to feed your child.

AIBU to think this is ridiculous?

I completely agree the stewardess in the news at the moment was overzealous and shouldn't have been looking for issues where there weren't any but I completely agree with the existence of the policy. Plus if you know of the policy you fly at the risk of being asked exactly the same as parking your car. It's a risk you know of.

i completely agree with the existence of the policy

So if the twat was offended by a disabled person and asked for them to be moved, would you agree with that policy?

User6949617

Have you ever breastfed?

Right ok we tell me loud and obnoxious to look away, here have an eye mask. No not what you wanted. Sir plz stop shouting, no I'm sorry I can't ask her to stop, sir plz sit down no you cant make her stop either. Oh crap now we have an In air emergency off we go home everyone sorry Mr loud and obnoxious didn't want to play today.
It is not right. It is not fair. If any other place had this policy I would be picketing with you however on a plane it t's is not always safe.

No because that's not the policy is it so totally irrelevant.
Yes I have breast fed which again is totally irrelevant.
The policy exists purely as a warning and a cover all. It is not personal it is not always implemented. In fact it's probably only ever been used a handful of times. The only reason we know of it is due to an overzealous employee who was completely in The wrong.

Sir plz stop shouting, no I'm sorry I can't ask her to stop, sir plz sit down no you cant make her stop either. Oh crap now we have an In air emergency off we go home everyone sorry

You deal with this exactly as you'd deal with any other obnoxious, unreasonable behaviour. All airlines will have procedures for people behaving badly.

I don't understand why you believe the bfing mother has any responsibility to diffuse this.

If the twat kicked off because he decided he didn't like gay/old/black/disabled people on board, you wouldn't think they had any responsibility to diffuse it by hiding in a corner, would you?

You speak to the attendant and ask to move to the back or somewhere more private after explaining the situation.

What utter crap.

If my baby is fussy and wanting comfort then I’d be there the entire flight.

I hope like hell you never have to be in that situation on a flight of a twat kicking of and knowing you are totally helpless and virtually alone on a flight of 100s with just a few untrained individuals to back you up. Miles from any real help with just a radio and a few zip ties. Glad all your world's are so free, easy and black and white.

I'd be interested to know how many passengers have ever complained & how many women have been asked to cover up?

It does only mention passengers as well, not staff.

I would think if the bfeeding mum isn't stripped to the waist then they are probably as covered as it's possible to be.

I hope like hell you never have to be in that situation on a flight of a twat kicking of and knowing you are totally helpless and virtually alone on a flight of 100s with just a few untrained individuals to back you up. Miles from any real help with just a radio and a few zip ties

You're not engaging with anyone's points.

What if the twat kicked off like that because of the presence of gay people? Should they go to the corner?

What if the twat just kicked off for no reason whatsoever? That could happen too. There'll be measures in place to deal with this that don't involve innocent members of the public being inconvenienced.

Why do you think bfing mothers should act to diffuse a situation like this, but presumably no one else who could potentially trigger a twat? That's the question.

I have engaged in every point it so not my fault if you wish to cherry pick or overlook things. I have not said the woman should be moved or asked to cover up always. If the situation now becoming volatile or escalating then there is no harm in ask her to cover up.
Men have been asked to stop kissing on flights for the same issue, people get moved all the time for various reasons I'm sure people can tell you stories of the smug old racist man who got an upgrade because he was making other people uncomfortable it is not right but it is the quickest and easiest way to keep control.
I have in no way said I agree with any of this on a personal level however in the environment I can see how the warning of this policy can be helpful to those working.

is not a uk airline. I think we have to accept and respect that other countries and cultures don't always share our views.

KLM is Dutch. In the Netherlands, public breastfeeding is common and widely socially accepted. There are no laws against public breastfeeding.

Men kissing = non life sustaining
Babies feeding = life sustaining

Is that helpful?

i have engaged in every point

No you haven’t, but I’ll give you one last chance.

Twat says ‘I am offended by presence of gay/disabled/elderly person over there. Please move them’.

Should they move meekly to avoid incident?

No it is not helpful as you are missing the point and creating another argument all together.grow up

I have engaged on that point.
No they should not move every attempt should be made to keep things calm and peaceful. However Mr twat gets more aggressive and loud then yes he or the other person shod move the other person especially of they are receiving an up grade don't want the twat to win.
If there are escalating circumstances you do all you can to sort them why is that so hard to comprehend!!
It does not have to be a personal belief, it does not have to be company policy it is what ever is the safest least volotile course of action.

@User6949617
If the situation now becoming volatile or escalating then there is no harm in ask her to cover up.

Great. So intimidation from an aggressive (perhaps violent) passenger, unjustifiably “offended” by a perfectly innocent breastfeeding woman wins the day.

That passenger is the one who should “grow up”.

It all boils down to the same in the end. Women are responsible for their own actions and the actions of the men around them. Women have breasts to feed babies. Women ARE NOT responsible for anyone else's reaction to those breasts and their use. No one is entitled to a world free of discomfort from things they do not like or agree with. To enshrine this right into any company policy is not only highly misogynistic, but also foolish. The tweet they should have issued would have said.

Breastfeeding is permitted on KLM flights. However, to ensure that all our passengers of all backgrounds feel comfortable on board, we have eye masks available if they are offended and unable to avert their gaze.

Correct!

I have however seen In London and Brighton women with whole boob out above a vest top feeding whilst looking around presumably to see who is looking at them

Why make that presumption? Feeding mothers can't keep their eyes down gazing adoringly at their baby the whole time. Maybe they're looking around because breastfeeding is a bit boring and it's something to do?

Yes it is acceptable when you are thousands of feet in the sky!!! It's not like you can call the damn police and have them there in mins of he kicks off and starts throwing punches and yes I am giving a worse case scenario.
If you have yet to take off great of he goes for being a prat other wise sorry lady twat is kicking off cover up so no one gets hurt and this crap show dont get worse.
The policy exists as a coverall much like the policy you never read with you contents insurance it is probably never used, should never have been used In The current situation but if it is ever needed on that one In one million situation the company is covered.
The safety of all is paramount.

However Mr twat gets more aggressive and loud then yes he or the other person shod move the other person especially of they are receiving an up grade don't want the twat to win.

So to be clear, if Mr Twat wants the disabled person moved and Mr Twat gets more aggressive, the disabled person should move?

Is that what you’re saying?

1. Asking a breastfeeding woman to cover up implies she's doing something dirty/sexual. A cover up policy sexualises women feeding their babies and supports people doing so which is disgusting.

1. KLM wants women to cover up when feeding a baby but as soon as you have a walk through their capital city there's tits in shop windows but that's fine because they're there for men's pleasures instead of babies??? Same goes for their inflight movies – tits are fine for entertainment but not for feeding a baby?

1. Sometimes my baby screams or wiggles and even if I tried to keep my breast covered it's not always working. Should we all have to go through a breastfeeding nipple flash test before we're allowed on a KLM flight so those offended by a glimpse of nipple used for what it's made for don't have to feel uncomfortable?

1. Do they ask all POC to hide under a blanket too if there's a white supremacist on board feeling uncomfortable?

YANBU to think it's absurd.

User6949617

My disabled family member has been told by various troglodytes they shouldn't be allowed out in public because of the way they need to eat and drink, repeatedly. Alright to ask them to move?

I'm saying you do what ever stops Mr twat getting more aggressive in a worse case scenario.
Mr twat has been screaming for the past half hour it has now escalated into him kicking seats and shoving the passenger.
You can restrain Mr twat call an in air emergency and divert to the closest airport or you can move Mr twat to a crappy seat and listen to him grumble with smug satisfaction that he is worse of but no harm down or you can move the affected passenger to a better seat and away from the twat defusing the situation for every one and having Mr twat arrested when you arrive at your scheduled destination no harm down to any one but him.
Again a plane is not a normal situation the same rules do not apply as those on the ground because the situation can become so much worse that much more quickly.