Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee June 2026 Build Week

In this episode of the FDX ALPA Podcast, Captain Chris Lee is joined by Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington to discuss the June 2026 build week and ongoing developments in FedEx pilot scheduling. The conversation covers the stability of the 2026 schedule despite ongoing MD-11 grounding, with a notable year-over-year increase of 9,000 credit hours despite 281 fewer pilots. A major focus is the growing presence of base hotel standbys in bid packs—especially in Anchorage, where they now make up about 20% of flying—raising concerns about scheduling predictability and pilot workload. Harrington highlights the company’s reactive approach to scheduling changes and calls for greater transparency on why certain weeks (like the first week of the month) are prioritized for standby hours. The episode also touches on increased carryout in bid packs, which limits line-building flexibility, and the potential for future changes with the upcoming 2603 bid. Updates on MD-11 recovery efforts, including new cities added for line checks and the return of the Orbis DC-10, signal optimism about the aircraft’s return. The discussion concludes with a reminder about the importance of pilot participation in data collection programs like the actigraph study, which has already led to 11 FERC build parameters that benefit all pilots. Harrington emphasizes the committee’s readiness to adapt to potential contract changes and encourages pilots to stay engaged through the Dart system and upcoming roadshows.