The gate agents wouldn’t allow Modeen to board the January 19 flight with her breast pump, which was packed in her standard carry-on suitcase, Modeen said. She also had her purse and a cooler with ice packs to transport her breast milk.
Delta and other airlines allow one carry-on bag and one personal item, such as a purse, for free. Medical devices, strollers and certain other equipment are also allowed, according to airline policy.
The gate agent first told her that she needed to consolidate her luggage, even after Modeen says she told the agent that the suitcase included a medical device.
“She then said the computer just gave her a message stating that all passengers starting with me would need to check their bags,” Modeen told CNN. “When I later entered the jet bridge, passengers lining up behind me had their suitcases.”
–
“I told her that on behalf of all nursing moms, I would be extremely grateful if this change happened,” Modeen said. (A Delta spokeswoman didn’t comment on that conversation.)
Modeen hopes her proposal would encourage airline staff members, increase flying women’s awareness of their rights aboard and decrease their anxiety around breastfeeding and pumping aboard, she said.
It’s not the first time Delta has faced conflict over breastfeeding. In February, a passenger tried to confirm Delta’s breastfeeding policy before flying because her child won’t drink from bottles or be covered while eating.
An official Delta Twitter account suggested that she pump before boarding. Later, the account apologized for incorrectly stating the airline’s policy and said she was free to breastfeed.
