Grandmother Stranded in Puerto Rico with Parrot Returns to NYC After Airline Dispute

Emotional Reunion in the Bronx

• 💔 A Bronx grandmother, Maria Frago, was reunited with her African gray parrot, Plucky, after being stranded in Puerto Rico for nearly a week.
• ✈️ The airline, Frontier, initially refused to allow Plucky to travel in Maria's carrier back to New York City, causing significant distress.
• 🏡 Maria, who calls Plucky her "savior" for helping her through tough times after her husband's passing, expressed her deep emotional pain at the thought of leaving her beloved pet.

Navigating Airline Policy and Bureaucracy

• 📄 Frontier cited a policy prohibiting large birds in the cabin, despite acknowledging a mistake on the initial flight out of New York where the bird was not checked correctly.
• 📞 After numerous emails and phone calls, including intervention from her son Robert and Senator Charles Schumer's office, Frontier reversed its decision.
• 🩺 Before boarding, Maria had to obtain a certificate of veterinary inspection and proof of purchase for Plucky, with assistance from Bird Jungle in Scarsdale.

A Community Effort and Safe Return

• 📰 Eyewitness News reporter Kimberly Richardson was present at JFK to cover Maria and Plucky's arrival, highlighting the community effort involved.
• 🥹 Maria, 81, was visibly emotional and relieved upon landing, emphasizing her commitment to never flying again and staying close to home.
• ✅ The successful resolution underscores the importance of persistence and community support in overcoming bureaucratic hurdles.