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- #11
Chirpy,
Only certain flights on FedEx are equipped and allowed to take live shipments. I'm not sure, but I would imagine that this is because they must use pressurized compartments and some temperature control. The exterior air temperature outside of the plane at 35,000 ft ranges from -5 down to -25 deg F, which has to be warmed to be compatible with live passengers.
However, at the airport or at a USPS station, parcels containing live shipments might sit on the tarmac or in storage areas that are not always heated or cooled and animals could be exposed to more extreme temperatures. Still, FedEx has assured me that they have gone to great efforts to control that. I don't know about USPS before and after flight though. I can say that many of the people that I've spoken too at USPS are very conscientious and do what they can to care for their charges (e.g., putting chicks in the truck cab to keep them warm), but it's not universal and not everyone is knowledgeable of what care is needed.
On the other hand, and USPS policy prevents employees from intervening, even in worst case scenarios. I was told by one USPS employee that if birds are shipped to a center that cannot handle or ship out live shipments, the sender would simply be sent a notice that the shipment had perished. Some places do not have any flights leaving that can carry live shipments. Even if they can handle live shipments, they cannot give water or food to alleviate suffering or prevent the loss of the animal, even if it's the USPS's fault. If I've heard the policy correctly, then personally I think that it needs some adjustment.
Only certain flights on FedEx are equipped and allowed to take live shipments. I'm not sure, but I would imagine that this is because they must use pressurized compartments and some temperature control. The exterior air temperature outside of the plane at 35,000 ft ranges from -5 down to -25 deg F, which has to be warmed to be compatible with live passengers.
However, at the airport or at a USPS station, parcels containing live shipments might sit on the tarmac or in storage areas that are not always heated or cooled and animals could be exposed to more extreme temperatures. Still, FedEx has assured me that they have gone to great efforts to control that. I don't know about USPS before and after flight though. I can say that many of the people that I've spoken too at USPS are very conscientious and do what they can to care for their charges (e.g., putting chicks in the truck cab to keep them warm), but it's not universal and not everyone is knowledgeable of what care is needed.
On the other hand, and USPS policy prevents employees from intervening, even in worst case scenarios. I was told by one USPS employee that if birds are shipped to a center that cannot handle or ship out live shipments, the sender would simply be sent a notice that the shipment had perished. Some places do not have any flights leaving that can carry live shipments. Even if they can handle live shipments, they cannot give water or food to alleviate suffering or prevent the loss of the animal, even if it's the USPS's fault. If I've heard the policy correctly, then personally I think that it needs some adjustment.
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