They said it was their emotional support animal.
My in-laws used to own a peacock. They are loud. An airplane is not the best place for them.
That said, I do wish the photo showed it wearing one of those orange vests.
As God is my witness, I thought peacocks could fly!
I opened this thinking “take a peacock” was the kids’ latest new saying.
United’s rating as an airline just went up in my book.
Emotional Support Peacocks - Band name!
They are not merely loud. They scream for HELP. I would imagine that would be a bit disturbing on an airplane.
One of my new to the US neighbors Was on a construction job in the LA hills and managed to bring 3 or 4 of them home for the kids to see …
They were noisy … jumped the wall and ran around the neighborhoods for weeks … and was slowly killed by dogs and cars …
The whole “emotional support animal” thing has gotten out of hand. I have become convinced there are so many people faking this just so they can carry their pets everywhere that I just ASSUME anyone with an animal is a fraud. Jeezus. Kind of like when I can see someone who can walk just fine get out of his/her car with the sticker on it and in the handicapped space, then stroll into the store. Uh, that privilege is for people with REAL NEED @$$hole.
That woman pointing at it spoiled everything – “look, a 10-foot long peacock is standing right in front of your face! Do you see it?” 
If the stupid woman hadn’t pointed at it, maybe no one would have noticed!
I agree with the airlines. Dogs, yeah. Mini horses, yeah, only cuz I loff horses. But peacocks? NFW.
I knew ESP was real.
Ugh. The people next door to my grandparent’s kept peacocks and peahens. Horrible creatures; they used to chase us around my grandparent’s yard, trying to peck everyone they could reach. Plus, the birdcrap.
Maybe another passenger could have sic’d their therapy dog on the emotional support peacock, and solved United’s problem for them?
Shoot, they’re going to have issues with my emotional support crocodile, I just know it.
I have to wonder if this wasn’t some joker trying to see what they could get away with. I can’t see how someone could get emotional support from a peacock. I don’t get the impression that they’re cuddly loving animals.
This was my first thought. And the screeching. I’m pretty sure a peacock would be disinclined to sit quietly in its seat for any amount of time, and I expect it would overflow into adjacent seats.
I honestly don’t understand people who think they have to take their critters everywhere. I’m fond of our dog and cats, but when we went on our cruise and left them with a friend, I didn’t miss them at all. And when I’m running errands, I don’t want to deal with an animal.
I know service animals are valuable to many people, but you can’t call your puppy an emotional support animal just because you lurves him and can’t bear to be away from 'is iddle-bitty self… :rolleyes:
I am, shall I say, not a fan of dubious “service” animals. I’ve seen, on multiple occasions, people in grocery stores/Costco holding their dog so his ass is right over produce and holding a dog who sneezes over produce, but a new one I’ve seen twice in the last week is people putting their dog in the shopping cart. You know, the part where other people later will put produce they intend to handle with their hands and maybe put in their mouth.
I don’t know your dog; I don’t even particularly want to know your dog. And I certainly don’t want to know his poop and/or slobber that he’s gonna leave in that cart.
Get a fucking clue, people: it’s not YOUR world.
There’s an important distinction to be made between actual “service” animals (which are trained to perform services necessary for disability accomodation) and “therapy” or “support” animals… which make people feel better.
I’m all for people feeling better, but don’t give it the same weight as “my dog prevents me from walking into traffic since I can’t see”.
And, even so, “therapy” animals at least have a job to do, of sorts. (Cuddling with sick kids is a job!) But “support” animals are basically fashion accessories.
Only dogs are service animals under the ADA Title II and Title III. At least according to Google results. Not turtles, not birds, not ferrets.
GaryM
You know people put little kids and babies in there too, right? And have been for way longer than with dogs? Just assume the cart is covered in germs and don’t eat something that has been touching the seat without washing it.
Pretty much anyone can show up with any animal and validly claim it provides some amount of “emotional support” - that’s kind of why people get pets.
But I’d call it obvious that to carry an animal with you on a plane, a higher standard should apply. I think airlines should be free to say “If your emotional state can’t handle sitting in a seat for a couple of hours without your support pig nearby, we regret that our service is not for you.”