White mother blasts Southwest Airlines for asking her to ‘prove’ biracial son was her baby

The University of California’s women’s basketball coach has spoken out against Southwest Airlines after claiming to have been asked to prove she was her biracial son’s mother. 

Lindsay Gottlieb, 40, took to Twitter to blast the airline on Sunday after her flight from Denver to Oakland with her one-year-old son Jordan. 

She claimed that as they prepared to board the plane, she was asked to prove Jordan was her son despite having his passport with her. 

Gottlieb said the employee responsible claimed their inquiry was down to fact that they have different names, however she believes it was because they have different colors of skin.  

Lindsay Gottlieb claims she was asked by Southwest Airlines staff to ‘prove’ she was her son Jordan’s mother during a flight on Sunday. The pair are pictured with Jordan’s father, Gottlieb’s fiance Patrick Martin, who was not with them at the time 

Gottlieb fumed  about the experience, which she called 'demeaning' and 'insensitive', on Twitter

Gottlieb fumed about the experience, which she called ‘demeaning’ and ‘insensitive’, on Twitter

‘I’m appalled that after approx 50 times flying with my 1 year old son, ticket counter personnel told me I had to “prove” that he was my son, despite having his passport. 

‘She said because we have different last name. My guess is because he has a different skin color,’ Gottlieb tweeted. 

The ‘proof’ the employee reportedly asked for was Jordan’s birth certificate and then, Gottlieb claimed, a ‘Facebook post’. 

After another mother allegedly pointed out that she had never been asked to provide such documentation when flying with her child who has a different name, Gottlieb was allowed on to the flight.  

That woman, she said, was not part of a mixed race family. 

‘It was demeaning and insensitive, not to mention inefficient. Would have missed flight if it was not delayed. 

Gottlieb said she was particularly outraged by the experience after flying with her son more than 50 times in the last year

Gottlieb said she was particularly outraged by the experience after flying with her son more than 50 times in the last year

Gottlieb said she was particularly outraged by the experience after flying with her son more than 50 times in the last year 

Gottlieb is the coach of the University of California's Women's Basketball Team 

Gottlieb is the coach of the University of California’s Women’s Basketball Team 

‘I would advise better training for employees to avoid this happening to others,’ she fumed. 

Southwest Airlines did not respond to DailyMail.com’s inquiries on Tuesday morning but a spokesman told KPIX5 that it was investigating Gottlieb’s claims. 

‘We’re looking into this specific interaction, and we have engaged with the customer directly to address her concerns. 

‘Our employees are well regarded for their hospitality and we always strive for the best experience for anyone who entrusts us with their travel,’ they said. 

Gottlieb and her partner Patrick Martin welcomed their son last May.

The pair have been engaged since last March but dated for years before Gottlieb fell pregnant.

Southwest Airlines said it was looking into the incident and that it had spoken to the coach

Southwest Airlines said it was looking into the incident and that it had spoken to the coach

 



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