KLM Another Social Media Shocker
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Dallas
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"PC" vs "PC".
The right to breastfeed vs the right to do so even if it offends another passenger, who may come from a less enlightened culture.
I also do not think that asking a mother to cover-up is such a huge imposition - not too much to ask in a multi-cultural tube.
Those who may be offended or are made uncomfortable can not walk away.
The effort required "not to offend" is so small that I wonder at the mindset that says "I'm offended. It's my right. I'm gonna........."
The right to breastfeed vs the right to do so even if it offends another passenger, who may come from a less enlightened culture.
I also do not think that asking a mother to cover-up is such a huge imposition - not too much to ask in a multi-cultural tube.
Those who may be offended or are made uncomfortable can not walk away.
The effort required "not to offend" is so small that I wonder at the mindset that says "I'm offended. It's my right. I'm gonna........."
Before I can be called out, allow me to state I do not consider the situation of a same sex couple holding hands an equivalent situation.
Join Date: Jun 2019
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A story true or not, an American Airline member of staff approached a complaining passenger who objected to someone discreetly feeding her child. AA staff member just approached said area and asked "Who is the person spending all their time looking at a lady's boobs and complaining she is feeding her child."
After silence she just said "Oh maybe it was in another area". Complainer kept quiet after that.
After silence she just said "Oh maybe it was in another area". Complainer kept quiet after that.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Are you serious? First of all, there is just as little need for the mum to be angry as for anyone else to be offended. Aggressive/unruly pax in any form are becoming more and more of a problem. So yes, any dispute on board is a threat to safety.
Unfortunatly, these days the chance of “adults to get over themselves” is quite slim. From very progressive to very conservative sides of society, everybody is only concerned with his/her own agenda. They are only able to approach matters from their own point of view and disregard arguments from the opposing side. Like your argument points this out so strikingly; why would the respective mum be allowed to be angry but anyone else not?
KLM has a very strong market in the America’s, Asia and Africa with also a lot of transfer pax within Europe. Problem with this fact is that both very progressive and conservative people could be on board of one aircraft.
KLMs utmost priority is safety. According the Tokio Convention the commander is allowed to give any instruction he deems necessary to secure safety on board. If any adult (progressive, conservative, drunk, arrogant or whatever), is unable to engage in an adult conversation and respect both the safety of other occupants and crew I will not hesitate to act accordingly. Upgrading anyone who shows sign of unruly behaviour is not one of them.
Furthermore, being progressive and liberal the Dutch very much understand how to deal with people who have a conservative view. Both Muslim and Christian communities are heavily represented in our small country. To make compromises between different parties is such a significant part of Dutch culture, that it has its own verb: “polderen”.
The main point is that we need to stop being selfish and only care about our own point of view without any respect for other viewing points as long as they are within Dutch law, which as said is very very liberal. I despise people provoking on social media just to try and see if they can create a row by pushing anyone in a “homophobic”, “anti-LGBTI”, “racist” or whatever more corner. KLM and KLM staff are far from that.
KLMs philosophy is “moving your world”. As frontline staff (cockpit, cabin, ground) we do our utmost best to translate the liberal, free and welcoming Dutch culture on board of our aircraft. We try to take the extra step to make everybody feel appreciated and address any needs our pax have. That might involve compromises to keep everyone on board happy since any middle aged old man is just as important to us as a breastfeeding mother. That is called “inclusion”.
I won’t allow a troll army to pull any comment on board or tweet by social media staff out of context, just for the sake of their agenda.
Very unprofessional if true. The staff's job is to deflate conflicts not take them to a lower level and see who wants to follow. Bullying your way through a complaint is only good until you run into an even bigger bully who is also a lawyer. And that's when the story gets in the news. Btw, do you happen to know if that staff member could find another job in aviation?
Union support was there for member of crew if needed and lets face it, would you wish your name to be up there as a complainant, even as a lawyer because clients would walk.
