What is it with Canadian airlines and airports?

[Swan3]

Govt representative denied boarding because of breast pump.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/...tml?id=1175932

Her comments are hilarious!!!

I'm in total disbelief here.

[Emmeline II]

However, security officials became anxious when the unit went through a scanner. Kwan said she spoke to a supervisor and a manager, both of whom were suspicious about why she would carry a breast pump and ice packs, but have no baby with her.

Um, perhaps it was to keep the milk cold to feed to her baby when she returned!?

[weliveintheforest]

I saw this yesterday. How maddening! Of course a lactating woman without a baby has a use for a pump :

[yarngoddess]

A WMD??? REALLY? It's a breats pump and ice packs. Couldn't they SEE on the x-rays that it's JUST a breastpump??? That icepacks are just ice packs? I just don't understand this world sometimes.

[TheGirls]

OK, so it's ok to have breastpump when you have an infant with you, but not ok if you don't? Don't you particularly need a breastpump if you DON"T have an infant with you?

[Irishmommy]

So what happened? The article doesn't say whether she checked it, took it or missed the flight.

[serenekitten]

Don't worry -- I'm getting the word out that breast pumps are actually weapons of mass destruction.

People are silly.

[Sheal]

What I like about her is that she didn't use her position as a politician to garner special treatment and now will likely be a strong voice for lactating working moms. Her words were (quoting here):

"Surely you can use some common sense. It's something they should revisit to make it easier for working mothers, MLAs or otherwise," she said.

That's the plus side of this situation. She seems like she has a good head on her shoulders to be a lactivist voice for all working and non working moms alike.

I hope they apologize to her and I hope both policies and future legislation change to benefit lactating moms from all walks of lifestyles from this situation.

[nukedwifey]

Originally Posted by Emmeline II

Um, perhaps it was to keep the milk cold to feed to her baby when she returned!?

I was thinking more along the lines of "well wouldn't it make more sense to NOT have the baby with you and be carrying a breast pump? Duh! Otherwise the baby would just get it direct from the source." Some people's kids.

[nukedwifey]

Originally Posted by serenekitten

Don't worry -- I'm getting the word out that breast pumps are actually weapons of mass destruction.

People are silly.

Yeah you could suck someone to death with it.


(I know it was the ice packs that were the problem.)

[CHoney]

Originally Posted by Irishmommy

So what happened? The article doesn't say whether she checked it, took it or missed the flight.

The newspaper here in Kamloops said that she ended up having to miss her flight! I couldn't believe how they thought it was suspicious she was carrying a breast pump because she didn't have her baby with her. That is WHY she has it!

She also mentioned she has previously carried her breast pump with her through the airport, but she did have her baby with her so it wasn't an issue.

Hopefully this will educate people and they can make some changes!

[Momily]

It sounds like the issue wasn't the pump, it was the ice packs -- something that's pretty commonly known to be not allowed on planes anymore.

[johnsmom]

Originally Posted by Momily

It sounds like the issue wasn't the pump, it was the ice packs -- something that's pretty commonly known to be not allowed on planes anymore.

Yep, it was the ice pack that they wouldn't allow. I was quite indignant when I read the story and immediately contacted the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority demanding answers. They insist that the pump was not the issue - it was the ice packs.
from their response -
"....regulation has been in place since November 6, 2006, following a failed attempt to bomb passenger aircraft with liquid explosives."
They suggest a woman who needs to keep ebm cold use packages of frozen food - "Solid baby food and beverages cannot be accompanied by ice or frozen gel packs under current transport security regulations but can be accompanied by frozen vegetables, in lieu of ice or gel packs. "

I do have serious questions though about whether I'd be allowed to board a plane hassle-free if I was carrying a few bags of frozen peas.

[Momily]

Originally Posted by johnsmom

I do have serious questions though about whether I'd be allowed to board a plane hassle-free if I was carrying a few bags of frozen peas.

Actually I've seen that suggestion so many places I'm sure it's common practice and they wouldn't bat an eye.