As a former ramp agent, I'd advise shipping any pets as airline freight. The animals are not treated badly. They actually do get some special attention, like waiting in airconditioned or heated rooms for the flight, etc.

It is the noise issue. We've all been at the cargo bin with the APU running. You stay there too long, your ears will probably start bleeding.

Who knows how much noise there is once the engines are going. Or the wind noise.

I recommend either driving any animals yourself, or shipping via ground.