Scott- I wonder, how long, roughly, is the time that animals could be exosed to 'uncomfortably' high temperatures before takeoff and the air conditionaning/ temperature control sets in?
My worry for her was that it would get too cold during flight, but since the cargo hold is temp controlled I guess this wouldn't be an issue?
Do you think travelling during moderate temperature times of year (fall or early spring) would alleviate the problem of too-high temperatures?
Airlines generally board animals just before closing the cargo pit unless it's a really nice day around 60F/15C. The problem with hot days is the aircraft are generally cooled by external air provided by a system mounted on the jetbridge with mediocre results. It will be hotter in the cargo pit because the door is opened for loading. The APU (Auxiliary Power Unit, a small jet engine generally mounted in the tail) is typically not started until about 15 minutes prior to departure, but once engaged does a great job of cooling. During engine start all of the APU air is diverted to the engine-start mechanism, and once the engines are started the cargo pit begins to cool nicely. Sometimes the temp won't reach 70F/20C for a good half hour or so. Unfortunately the push for fuel efficiency reduces APU usage on the ground, and we often taxi with just one engine running - that generally means the air conditioning is not as effective.
I haven't seen too much difficulty with cold weather; seems most aircraft are easier to heat than to cool. Older aircraft had various switches necessary to provide cargo temp control, and the failure to flip a switch could spell disaster. Thankfully it is fully automatic on just about every commercial airliner save for some third-world operators.
Shipping via cargo hold is safest during spring/fall comfortable temps, but I frankly would not wish to ship an animal by air unless in the passenger cabin.
I'll give one recent example: Last summer I noticed a kennel on the ground next to the baggage loader. It was a sweltering humid day as I approached the handler to ask how long the dog was outside. His quote was "if it's OK for me to be out here it's OK for the dog to be outside." Really?? Really?? Our employer uses air conditioned trucks to transport animals from a holding room to aircraft. I took the dog in small carrier into the cockpit to cool off. Near departure time, a ramp worker came to place him in the aft cargo compartment - it registered 105F!! No way was I going to sanction that, knowing it would not cool to an acceptable level for at least 30 to 40 minutes. A few phone calls later I obtained permission to keep the dog in the cabin below an empty seat - there was no shortage of passengers asking to "babysit" during the flight!
Incidentally, I once flew a flight with a Falcon, the USAF mascot in the cabin. The Falcon was hooded and tethered to the handler's wrist, and was placed above a newspaper on the lap. Postflight, I asked how the bird behaved. Very well, and he leaned well forward during the acceleration of takeoff. The talons left a lasting impression - huge in proportion to the bird!!
