Ah, the good old days when the worst thing you could be stuck on a long flight with was a crying baby....

I just keep finding more and more reasons to be thankful that I've only flown once since 9/11.  I can't imagine paying the price of an airline ticket for the descent into the seventh circle of hell it sounds like air travel has become.

Ashley Marie MacDonald, 29, says she doesn't mind producing a letter from her psychologist when she flies with her emotional-support parakeet, who stays in his cage.  She has had anxiety, depression, and a pain disorder since a work-related injury in 2012, and says she doesn't want to be away from Stormy or "think about life without him."

*checks actuarial tables for parakeets*  Ms. MacDonald, I have some bad news for you.

This woman's psychologist should produce a letter from her psychologist for endorsing this ridiculousness.  Thirty years ago, the very concept of being unable to spend several hours away from a pet bird would be cause to send someone to a mental health professional.