>>I'm not saying that either side of this argument is wrong or right. I found the discussion interesting, but I don't have an opinion on the basic question. However, I understood the guy's point differently than you did, and I'd like to point out that difference.



I'm not arguing with him. I merely hold the belief that shipping is not as easy as some would like you to think - as evidenced by this thread.



>>

>>My understanding of the guy's post was that the temperature outside an aircraft is -50 degrees regardless of the time of year. His conclusion from this fact (assuming that it's really a fact) is that time of year doesn't influence the temperature that



Most commercial airlines fly at about 35K feet, which would equate to about -40. Splitting hairs, sure. I'm not sure what cargo planes fly. Also, not all cargo planes fly the same altitudes. Smaller cargo planes may never see 15K on some flights. How is this important? I'll get to that later.



>> a package sees except when the package is being moved between the plane and the terminal. A package is not going to spend hours being exposed to low temperatures on a flight just because someone is shipping in the winter. Once the plane is in the air, the cargo hold temperature will be the same regardless of season because the air temperature at 30,000 feet doesn't change appreciably with the seasons. The only extra danger from winter temperatures is that the package will be left outside or in a poorly heated building. The damaging cold is only an issue when the package is on the ground, and he is more afraid of too much heat during this stage of shipping than he is of too much cold. If I understood him correctly, he believes that he can easily insulate and warm the package enough to withstand exposure while the package is transported to and from the plane.



I did not get that impression. But I'm not sure I follow you here. If the temps are -50 degrees in the cargo hold, and that's what you are planning for so you heat your box accordingly, then the transport to the plane or sitting on the tarmac is not likely to be colder than this. For planes flying at lower altitudes, the temps increase (get warmer) considerably.



What I believe he was getting at is that you can create a mini-environment within the box that is not affected by outside temperatures.



>>I realize that the rest of you don't have this luxury, and I don't presume to know the right answer to these issues.

>>



I don't have all the answers either, but I do have experience shipping and have had since 1986. Does this make me an expert? Hardly. My point is, shipping is not as cut and dried as some would like you to believe. You have to do your research and formulate a plan. You may even need to perform some tests. But again, research, research, research.
-----
Jay A. Martin

Jay Martin Reptiles

[ Show Entire Thread ]