Bronx grandmother Maria Fretago was booked with a seat 4A on a flight from San Juan to Kennedy International Airport on Saturday night. However, when she arrived at the gate for a return flight to New York, she said that a Frontier Air agent had stopped her.
Her companions were African grey parrots named Placky, whom Fratarigo claimed as an emotional support animal and could say the name of her grandson, and were on the plane-free list.
In January, despite being allowed to bring Plackey to her outbound frontier flight without incident, she told her agents that the parrots are among several types of birds and other animals that are banned by the airline. She said the rules essentially stuck her.
“This guy on the counter screams at me, saying, 'You're not going to do this flight,'” Fraterrigo, 81, recalls in a phone interview Wednesday. “'Give it to someone. Remove it,” I said, 'No way, I'm not going to get rid of my baby.' ”
For four days, her travel plans made her ticket on another flight scheduled for Wednesday night, until the frontier seemed to be generous. Since her husband's death in 2019, when Fraterrigo completed her first trip, Plucky was expected to be towed.
Her situation showed tensions between the airline and passengers, what animals were allowed on commercial flights. Miniature horses, pigs and other rare pets found their way to the plane, but Peacock was not emotional support.
Fraterrigo's ordeal has attracted widespread attention from the news media – ABC 7 Eyewitness News in New York first reported on it – and members of the New York Congressional delegation lobbyed her to be rebooked with her parrot, including Senator Chuck Schumer
Frontier spokesperson Jennifer F. de la Cruz said in a statement Wednesday that the airline is investigating how the parrot was allowed on Flatrigo's previous flight. “Parrots do not qualify as either an emotional support animal under our policies or as an animal for other US airlines we know,” she said.
Still, the airline admitted that the inconsistency had caused difficulties for Fraterrigo.
“We are pleased to have enabled Plackey's return to New York,” De La Cruz said. “We apologize for any confusion that may have occurred regarding the policy.”
Fertarigo said Placky has brought her comfort since the death of her husband, Richard Fretergo, who retired from the former federal justice judicial s who got cancer while working in Lower Manhattan after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
“My bird is the only bird that keeps me moving,” she said. “That's my company.”
Fratarigo, born in Puerto Rico and vacationed there for many years with her husband, said her son, Robert Freigo.
In December, he began looking into whether his mother could bring Plackey on the flight, he said. The Frontier website mentions parrots, macaws, parrots and prey birds as examples of large birds that are prohibited, but says that small domestic birds could be transported by domestic flights. Fraterrigo said in an online chat with Frontier customer service agents, he asked if his mother could take the bird to fly and said there was a letter from a doctor designating it as an emotional support animal.
The agent replied “It's okay,” adding that the letter is something that's needed to take to the airport, according to a screenshot of the exchange provided by retired federal agent Fraterrigo.
Placky is 24 years old. She weighs less than 10 ounces and is about 8 inches tall. According to her owner, she bought a bird carrier backpack, allowing her to place the parrot under the seat in front of her.
“They let her go there,” Fratarigo said. “Take her home. She's on the island.”
Fraterrigo said Frontier initially refunded the cost of the ticket (about $190) and gave his mother a $250 voucher. He said his mother was hysterical when she called him from the airport that night.
“The lights were coming,” he said. “She was just left in a wheelchair.”
A few days later, he asked if the frontier appeared to be tolerant and if his mother had Placky's veterinary examination certificate, and a document that showed it was purchased in the US. Fraterrigo said he was able to find records at the store where his mother bought Plucky. She had a new ticket now: Seat 3A.
As she prepares to return Wednesday, Fraterrigo said she is feeling uneasy. And so were her normally chatty travel companions.
“The story of Plackey,” she said.
