Remember the days when a person who was afraid to fly took a Xanax, or had a cocktail? At what point did we become the species that required an emotional support peacock to board a plane?

And yet, here we are. Live and Let’s Fly reports that the United Airlines desk at Newark denied a purchased seat to a woman’s emotional support peacock. JetSet provided a photo of the creature in question here.

Delta has also had it with the emotional support menagerie. As of March 1, passengers who wish to travel with an animal will need to provide, 48 hours before departure, proof of vaccinations and that the animal is able to behave itself.

Since 2016 there has been an 84 percent increase in unacceptable animal-related conditions on planes. These supportive creatures have been going potty in the cabin and biting passengers and crew. An emotional support dog even mauled another passenger in June of 2017.

Some of you believe it’s high time that emotional support animals were better regulated, and are glad private businesses are doing so. Some of you think every regulation suggested is Big Government trying to tell you what to do with your peacocks and tarantulas and narwhals.

To the latter, I suggest we let the free market decide. Start an airline that allows every type of animal on board, so long as it’s there to provide emotional support. Call it Noah Air. You’re welcome for that billion dollar idea.

To the former, I’d agree that reasonable, verifiable guidelines are not a terrible suggestion. I can’t bring a full sized shampoo in my carry on, but I can bring a pot bellied pig if I’m a nervous flier?

Back in my day, I had an emotional support gin and tonic before I got on a plane. And maybe a couple more on it. I don’t know. Who’s to say? It was great. I stimulated the economy and made friends.

Disability service animals undergo rigorous training to provide life saving and enhancing support to the blind and otherly abled. Emotional support animals — don’t. I don’t want anyone to suffer anxiety during a flight, but I also don’t want to be peed on or require stitches upon landing. I doubt the anxious flier wants that, either.

What is happening in our society where this is even a thing? Not ten years ago, we just did stuff, and sometimes the stuff sucked, but we didn’t have to ask an airline if we could take a small pony with us on a connecting flight to Albuquerque.