I just had to post. I was on a flight tonight from Atlanta to Dallas and I was seated next to a chimpanzee. He was trained and well behaved. He was so cute. I have never seen one outside of a zoo. Anyway he was wearing cute clothes. He absolutely looked like a stuffed animal but far cuter and of course real. The owner was kind enough to let me pet him. I had such a bad week last week it really made my day.

And the owner was....Michael Jackson????

I know you can only have dogs in the little carriers. What makes that monkey so special? That's crazy!

uhoh, a monkey thread. watch it disappear.

Hurrah, a monkey troll!

No seriously this is not a troll. Apparantly the chimpanzee is trained to appear in movies. He was traveling with the owners. I wondered the same thing. American Airlines said that it was a service animal. I thought that service animals were specifically for the handicapped. Anyway it did not bother any of the other passengers on the plane. It was just such an unexpected experience but a pleasant one. No this is not a troll.

Kate,
I've actually heard of small primates being trained as service animals. To explain my prior response, it was sheer mischief. In the past, there have been several humorous threads along the lines of,"can I take my monkey to Hawaii", etc., and they have been deleted very rapidly.
ja

For the last time: A chimp is an APE, not a MONKEY!!!
The last time I flew with my monkeys, the airline was less than thrilled. But apes, on the other hand, really are much better behaved. That evolution!!!

What happens when he has to go potty?

Kate -

I believe you! My husband checked into the Lowes Hotel in Denver once and 2 chimips were checking in behind him (with their trainer, of course). They were part of Ranger Rick's show (the wildlife guy) - he was making an appearance in Denver. They had on shorts and diapers to be "civil" in public - my husband later saw them in the bar as well!

You mean a monkey might have been sleeping in my bed at the hotel? Hmmm, I don't know if I like that idea!

Oh, I don't know. I've slept with worse.

There now, you parents have something to aspire to. Try to get your kids to behave as well as a monkey on your next flight.

No kid I've ever flown next to has behaved as well as the chimp Kate got to sit next to.
Keep the monkeys.
Ban the kids.

Why wasn't he flying Monkey Business Class?

My monkey prefers to travel by Darwinnebago.

Especially if we're driving down the Chimps Elysees in Paris.

Would you rather sit next to a screaming, wiggily kid, or someone who is on their telephone until take off and then immediawtely upon landing, or someone who insists on talking non stop during the entire flight? I'll take the cut chimp any day.

So, you were flying from Apelanta?
Did they play in flight Monkees music for your pal Bonzo?

What did he think of the inflight meal?