Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee May 2026 Build Week

In this episode of the FDX ALPA Podcast, Captain Chris Lee welcomes Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington to discuss the May 2026 Build Week schedule and key operational updates. Harrington highlights that May is a four-week bid month with a significant increase in pilot hours—nearly 10,000 more than the same period last year—driven by the inclusion of base hotel standbys, which the company believes improve flight schedule utilization. He notes ongoing challenges due to the Middle East conflict, with limited trips to Dubai and Riyadh, and the continued absence of Tel Aviv and Honolulu (now in the 7.6 bid pack as a 767 ETOPS flight). The episode also covers high bid line guarantees (BLGs), nearing pre-pandemic levels, and the company’s active vacation buyback program. Harrington confirms that MD-11 training and line checks are underway, with plans to resume MD-11 flying in Miami and Newark. He addresses contract negotiation progress, citing the involvement of four scheduling experts on the FACT team, and shares concerning data on pilot attrition—36 pilots left in March, the highest resignation rate in FedEx history. The secondary line process is scrutinized for its snapshot-based system and software limitations, with advice to review the practice solution and bid period processing summary. Harrington ends on a cautiously optimistic note, anticipating another small bid soon and the return of the MD-11.