A US mother-of-two has spoken of her frustration that she was forced to dump 500oz (14.8 litres) of breast milk at security at London's Heathrow Airport.

In an open letter on Facebook, Jessica Coakley Martinez, who was travelling without her eight-month-old son, said she felt "humiliated".

"You made me dump out nearly two weeks worth of food for my son," she said.

Heathrow says the UK government's rules on carrying liquids on planes are set out for passengers on its website.

The rules, set out by the DOT, say that liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less in a transparent and re-sealable single bag.

The website says exceptions are made in the case of baby food or baby milk but only if the passenger is travelling with a baby. It says excess liquids should be carried as hold luggage.

'Unfair'
Ms Martinez wrote that, although she should have looked up the rules, the regulation that breast milk was not allowed if the mother was travelling without her baby was "incredibly unfair and exclusionary in consideration of all of the other working mothers like me".

She wrote: "If I acted irate, it's because it was the only appropriate reaction I could muster.

"I now don't have the option to solely breastfeed my son because I don't have enough milk to supply him while I'm at work, despite all of my best efforts.

"Being a working mother and ensuring both my job and my child get exactly what they need is the hardest thing I've ever done but you managed to make it nearly impossible in a single afternoon.

"Security is the priority, but it isn't and shouldn't be your only goal, and it certainly shouldn't punish those you intend to protect.

"Beyond literally taking food from my child's mouth, you humiliated me and made me feel completely defeated as a professional and a mother."

She said that of the breast milk she was carrying "more than 300oz of that milk was frozen. Solid."

She continued: "I was willing to let go of the liquid milk. But you also wanted the solid milk because it could 'melt and become a liquid'."

Rules restricting the amount of liquids which can be carried as hand luggage on flights leaving UK airports were brought in in the wake of the discovery of a terrorist plot to detonate liquid explosives on board seven transatlantic airliners in 2006.

'Very distressing'
La Leche League, a charity that provides support to breastfeeding mothers, agreed that having to "unexpectedly discard milk expressed for a child is often very distressing".

"When a mother is away from her child she needs to express milk for her own comfort and to maintain a supply for her child. Not expressing her milk may lead to mastitis or engorged breasts and a drop in milk production. Having expressed this milk to take home for her baby, it can be very upsetting to be told to throw it away," spokeswoman Anna Burbidge said.

The charity said it recommends mothers travelling with expressed breast milk check the guidelines with the airline they are using before they travel.

Breast milk can be put into check-in luggage and knowing that beforehand may help a mother to plan how to transport the expressed milk, La Leche League added.

 

Another american that thinks they are "entitled" and the rules are for everyone but her ...

 

I understand her frustration, having nursed my children, but the rules are clear. Anyone who has travelled since 2001, knows that restrictions have been put on everyone. She should have checked the guidelines before even traveling.

 

Is leg humping in public still allowed...?

 

I can see her frustration, one should never waste food.

 

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From the Washington Post:

Clearly, Coakley Martinez took great pains to build up an ample supply of breast milk. But as precious it was, it’s also hard to understand why she would not have ensured that she complied with the rules. Would anyone try to lug four gallons of Coca Cola onto an aircraft these days? Frozen or not?

To her credit, Coakley Martinez acknowledged that she should have looked up the guidelines, which state that “a reasonable amount” of breast milk can be carried in the cabin when the mother is traveling with her child.
--------------------------

Clearly she knew her situation was unusual. Yet, it sounds like, other than trying to look for information on the website, she didn't bother to take any further steps to see if lugging 4 gallons of frozen liquid onto the plane at the boarding point would be a problem.

 

She probably doesn't understand that if she is arrested outside of USA her Constitutional Rights no longer exist either & in France & French Law countries she is guilty until proven innocent.

Every year we have people trying to cross the border with their guns and get upset when told either surrender them or go back and mail them home. Big Signs before approaching Canuck Customs tells you that guns are not permitted in The Dominion. Ask Ted Nugent, he thought saying he was going to Alaska gave him special exemption. They told him nope & we will crush them, he made such a big stink they took those guns and banned his arse.

 

This world is to fucking up tight.. Was it a bomb ppl? Fuck no it wasn't.. The rule was established for safety reasons.. If its breast milk and not a bomb let the women and her tit milk through.. One time those security fuckers made me dump out a 6 oz of naked juice and all I could think at the time is- it's not a bomb you douche... What the fuck do you have a problem with the fruit and vegetable group.? Then I noticed the huge ass she was carrying around and the scowl on her face and decided -fuck it at least I'm cute..

 

Almost 1.5 litres s milk is a one hell of a lot of fucking milk.. where the crap was the baby and why did she feel the need to be carrying that sort of quantities..I mean if the baby was with her its an as required basis, if the baby wasn't with her surely she would still be producing to give the kid the stuff fresh rather than 10 hours plus old off an overly warm long haul flight.

Ill have to read the story before commenting but just saying..

 

So just how long does breast milk keep before it goes off? She seems to be saying that some of it was a good deal older than 2 weeks. Help please.

PS. What was the baby feeding on for the couple of weeks she had been away?

 

I was working in the aviation industry from 2000 - 2002 and the sudden increase in security was a huge jump after 9/11. I was only working at a relatively small regional airport, not one of the major hubs like Gatwick, Heathrow or Stansted but we went overnight from having unarmed private untrained security guys wandering around, to policemen with bullet-proof vests, riot helmets with visors and carrying sub-machine guns (a very rare sight indeed in the UK) on constant patrol. Everyone had a mandatory training course in terrorism prevention and security and the entire nature of our jobs changed instantly.

Whilst I can sympathize with the woman who only wanted to feed her baby she must surely have realised that attempting to board an aeroplane with three gallons of liquid would be subject to scrutiny - how would the guards know for certain what the liquid was (and how would it remain frozen on a long-haul flight)?

Silly woman, she should shut up before she makes herself look any more arrogant and stupid than she already has.

 

I wanted to post the link to her Twofacedbook commentary but she has her baby plastered all over the internet.

 

Breast milk is a fucking commodity rabbit!! Have some respect.. I'm sure ppl on the fetish page would pay bank for that..

 

Ya well I hope you locked the door behind you and they can't get out lol.

 

Lol don't judge me thumper or* i'll get the women in there lactating to shoot it from across the room...

 

Speaking of which, I am sure ALL breastfeeding mothers have tasted their white gold and found it rich and sweet right ???

When my ex was breastfeeding our munchkin she had me try it and I made her a breast milk cappuccino and it wasn't terrible lol.

*fire away bitches*

 

Liquid Regulations on Airlines...for USA

USA Today

In an immediate response to an aborted terrorist plot to blow up an aircraft with liquid explosives in 2006, the airline industry and international airline regulators prohibited passengers from carrying nearly all liquids and gels aboard an aircraft. Since then, the requirements have eased somewhat. However, passengers are still subject to stringent restrictions concerning liquids in their carry-on luggage, with some exceptions.

Personal Carry-On Allowances
The Transportation Security Administration has what it calls the "3-1-1 Rule" for liquids packed in carry-on luggage. Liquids must be packed in containers of 3.4 oz. or less, and all liquids (with some exceptions) must be contained within a single, clear 1-quart bag with a zipper-like top. Each passenger is allowed a single 1-quart bag in carry-on luggage. The 3-1-1 Rule applies to toiletries and liquid cosmetics. Passengers must present their quart bags for inspection at the security checkpoint.

Exceptions to the "3-1-1 Rule"

There are a number of exemptions to the 3-1-1 Rule, which fall into two broad categories: medications and related items required to treat or control a medical condition and formula, breast milk and juice for infants and small children. In each case, passengers are allowed to exceed the restrictions imposed by the 3-1-1 Rule for liquids. Medications, breast milk, formula or juice must be declared before the screening process begins and will be subject to separate screening. All items will be scanned by X-ray unless the passenger requests visual screening at the beginning of the screening process. Items which cannot be visually screened will be screened by X-ray. TSA recommends that all prescriptions should be labeled with the name of the passenger. TSA also recommends that passengers supply a doctor's letter or other documentation of medical conditions. If medications are not labeled with the name of the passenger, TSA will require a satisfactory explanation before allowing the passenger on board.

 

Something flammable like 151 perhaps.. Simmer down ppl your daughters are safe.. Even though my own government with their conspiracy got this "how many fluid ounces can I take on the plane" bs enacted (by terrorizing and blowing up their own ppl) hey what's a few casualties when it comes down to the big picture.. The patriot act..
but hey just my opinion. And... Admittedly yes I am an asshole..

 

I'm going with the,

Silly woman , whats all the Wah Wah about ?

What makes you so special , stupid ,
that you think you can lug 4 gallons of liquid onto a plane ?

Equivalent to 19 × 26oz bottles of liquor.

Silly bitch