Stressed out holiday travelers may not all have access to emotional support pets, but at the Philadelphia International Airport, Popeyes has some help.
Beginning Tuesday, the fried chicken chain is offering travelers an “Emotional Support Chicken” carrier to go with their purchase of a chicken tender combo meal, Fox News reported.
Sorry, Fido. Popeyes #EmotionalSupportChicken doesn’t bark on the plane. (Available in the Philadelphia airport on 12/18.) pic.twitter.com/vWyBWq4PTe
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) December 18, 2018
The carry-on box with a cardboard chicken head tail extols the benefits of the product and its “comforting” effects for travelers.
“This chicken provides comfort and nourishment during stressful air travel,” a disclaimer on the box reads. “Unlike other chicken, it is marinated in real Louisiana spices for 12 hours and must be permitted to fly without restriction. Do not leave unattended, as Popeyes is not responsible for lost or stolen chicken.”
Popeyes’ effort to ease travel pressures took the light-hearted jab at the controversial emotional support pet movement that has seen people making unusual animal choices such as fish, peacocks, goats and ponies. The fast-food chain noted in a statement that the to-go container for its “Emotional Support Chicken” was meant as a “gesture designed to bring holiday travelers some needed humor to what is one of the most stressful places to be during the holidays — the airport.”
Emotional support. In its most delicious form.
— Popeyes Chicken (@PopeyesChicken) December 18, 2018
The special carrier is only available at the Popeyes in the Philadelphia International Airport in Terminal C starting on Tuesday, according to People. And this choice won’t have passengers running ‘afowl’ of airline companies such as Delta which announced this month that emotional support animals of any kind will no longer be allowed on flights longer than eight hours.
“We know holiday travel can be frustrating, and there’s no better way to ease stress than with a box of delicious Popeyes fried chicken and a good laugh,” Hope Diaz, Popeyes’ chief marketing officer, said in a statement.
“We appreciate how comforting emotional support animals are and wanted to create our own version,” Diaz said. “The good news is that our emotional support chicken is permitted to fly without any restrictions – one less worry for busy travelers!”
Not everyone saw the intended humor behind the company’s new marketing gimmick.
Hey, @PopeyesChicken, thanks for providing a case study in ableism as a gimmick for capitalism.
Also, CHANGE THIS PLAN. It’s an awful one that makes light of the real support needs of individuals whose psychological conditions are already stigmatized.https://t.co/yZPukb54gh
— Shannon Dingle?ALL THE WAY (@ShannonDingle) December 19, 2018
Their ignorance is showing.
— Di Steiner ?♿???♀️? (@DM_dimntd) December 19, 2018
Ugh.. highly Offensive. The @PopeyesChicken emotional support chicken is insensitive to people who suffer real, emotional pain. Plus it promotes the killing and eating of animal flesh.
— DeepState Heroes (@CheShirtGuy) December 19, 2018
Many others, however, appreciated the good laugh.
As one with several mental health issues, nobody is shitting on anybody. It’s funny. Believe it or not, people with mental health issues are not these fragile little children you think we are. We have a sense of humor, why don’t you get one too?
— Chris Estep (@Estep) December 19, 2018
Well played Popeyes, well played. https://t.co/WwZiPitI2L
— Dean Shareski (@shareski) December 19, 2018
It *is* a comfort food. ?♂️ https://t.co/4Ss0U9eisD via @businessinsider
— airfarewatchdog (@airfarewatchdog) December 18, 2018
Bravo!!!! Someone still has a sense of humor in Philadelphia!!!!
— Brenda Ventura (@Venzi5Ventura) December 18, 2018
Now chickens can fly
— Queen Dilemma (@mimidrinkskoi) December 19, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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