Does tail have a short A sound?

No, "tail" does not have a short "a" sound. It has a long "a" sound, like the "a" in "day" or "say."

Think of it like this:

* Short "a" sound: like in "cat," "hat," "man."

* Long "a" sound: like in "cake," "hate," "name."

So, the "a" in "tail" sounds more like the "a" in "name."