Stephanie Heath
Dr. Elise Turner has caused quite the stir online. The mother of twins took to the internet to share the shocking reason that she was asked to leave an airport lounge.
Videos by Rare
The Details: Dr. Elise Turner was resting in the Virgin Australia airport lounge at Melbourne Airport. During her time in the lounge, the mother of twins decided she could use the time to feed her children. Therefore, she began to pump milk for her children. Shortly after, she was asked to leave the airport lounge.
- The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) shared Turner’s thoughts. “I am beyond furious right now,” she claimed. She argued it was absurd that she was asked to leave since she was a “paying business class ticket holder.”
- Additionally, the mother of twins didn’t understand the issue as she was expressing the breastmilk “under her shirt.” Therefore, she was not exposing herself in any way.
- Turner shared the experience in a since-deleted video.
The Situation Escalated
Initially, an employee approached Turner and asked her to leave the airport lounge. The employee suggested that the mother pump in the bathroom.
- “I asked [the employee] if she prepares her dinner in a public bathroom or toilet, and she didn’t have an answer.”
When the bathroom option was declined, the employee suggested that Turner rent a “private business lounge” to continue to pump in peace. The issue is that the mother of twins would have needed to pay $100 to rent that room. Paying to pump your own breast milk seems wrong.
- Turner explained to the employee that “the National Sex and Discrimination Act of 1984 protected breastfeeding.”
However, the employee was having none of it. After Turner denied all of her requests, she explained that the mother of twins was making herself and others “uncomfortable.” Then she proceeded to place her hand on Turner’s arm, asking her to leave yet again. Having the woman put her hand on Turner took things to an entirely new level.
Virgin Australia Makes A Statement: In a statement released to People Magazine, Virgin Australia shared its sincerest apologies.
- We are sorry for the way this situation was handled. It fell short of the high standards of care and customer service our team strives to deliver. We have reached out to our guest today to apologise directly.”
- Turner responded, explaining she had yet to have a conversation with anybody from Virgin,” but that she remains hopeful they will reach out to her.
