FDX ALPA Podcast

40 Episodes
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By: FDX ALPA Podcast

From ALPA’s FDX Master Executive Council, this podcast dives into a wide range of topics within the union. Listen in while the Communications Committee explores ongoing projects and issues with MEC officers, committee volunteers, and others.

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Fly By Night: Contract Implementation Team Update August 2026
Today at 3:21 PM

In this episode of our podcast, Contract Implementation Team member First Officer Eric Moraes provides an update on the ongoing implementation of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, including the expense receipt process and the rental car provision. He also answers common pilot questions about rental car deviations, including when they may be used, pre-approval requirements, reimbursable expenses, time limitations, and how to properly submit expenses for reimbursement.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee September 2026 Build Week
Last Thursday at 4:59 PM

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington provides an update on the September build, including continued high BLGs, increased Middle East flying, and the expanding return of the MD-11 fleet. He also discusses current staffing, hiring, the operational impact of tightly constructed pairings, disputed sequences, and updates to Scheduling Matters under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.


Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee August 2026 Build Week
07/09/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Vice Chair Captain Chris Leeuw and Airbus PSIT Member Captain Mike Kilmurray provide an update on the first full build month under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, including the impact of the new MPDPs and duty rig provisions on domestic bid packs. They also discuss staffing and hiring trends, the anticipated system bid, the ongoing return of the MD-11 fleet, and the Secondary Line Replacement  Working Group (SLRWG).

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Fly By Night: R&I Educational Update June 2026
06/24/2026

In this episode of our podcast, R&I Committee member Captain Toby Cline provides an educational update on the APRP payment, including the expected payment timeline.

Toby also reviews key IRS contribution and compensation limits, explains how APRP may interact with pre-tax, Roth, after-tax, and catch-up contributions, and discusses considerations pilots may want to understand when reviewing their PRSP elections. In addition, he highlights several educational and financial planning resources available to pilots through the R&I Committee, Schwab, and Fidelity.

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Fly By Night: MEC Officers June 2026
06/10/2026

In this episode of our podcast, MEC Chair Captain Jose Nieves, MEC Vice Chair First Officer Connor Wilm, and MEC Secretary Treasurer First Officer Tony Miles reflect on the recently concluded contract ratification vote and the remarkable level of pilot engagement throughout the process. The discussion highlights the success of the roadshows, the importance of family involvement, and the unity demonstrated by pilots across the system. Looking ahead, the officers discuss the union’s next phase, including contract implementation, enforcement, committee work, and continued member engagement, emphasizing that the completion of negotiations marks not an end but the beginning of...


Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee July 2026 Build Week
06/04/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington provides an update on schedule stability, the ongoing return of the MD-11 fleet, recent wins in disputed pairing resolutions, and the continuing staffing challenges impacting bid line guarantees. He also shares insights from the recent SIG Quarterly meeting, discusses retirement and hiring trends, and explains how the timing of the Tentative Agreement vote could affect bidding and pay calculations for July. 

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Fly By Night: R&I Committee – TA Retirement Options May 2026
05/08/2026

In this episode of our podcast, R&I Committee Chair Captain Kevin Biggins breaks down the retirement options included in the Tentative Agreement. The discussion walks through the three available paths, ranging from enhancements to the current plan to entirely new structures, highlighting key features, contribution levels, and important timelines. This overview is designed to help pilots better understand how each option works as they evaluate their choices ahead of the upcoming election window.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee June 2026 Build Week
05/07/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington provides an update on the relative stability of 2026 bidpacks, highlights ongoing challenges such as MD-11 groundings and increased use of base hotel standbys, and shares insights into staffing trends, hiring uncertainty, and upcoming bid expectations. He also touches on the importance of pilot participation in fatigue data collection, recent DART topics, and how potential contract changes could impact scheduling processes moving forward.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee May 2026 Build Week
04/09/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the May build, current bid trends, increased flying hours driven in part by hotel standby utilization, and what pilots can expect with higher BLGs and continued vacation buyback. He also discusses ongoing adjustments to international flying, the anticipated return of the MD-11, and key insights into the secondary line process. 

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Fly By Night: R&I Committee – April 2026
04/06/2026

In this episode of our podcast, R&I Committee Chair Captain Kevin Biggins and committee member Captain Toby Cline discuss upcoming changes to the FedEx Pilots Retirement Savings Plan (PRSP). The conversation focuses on adjustments to the core fund lineup, including the addition of new investment options, the removal of underutilized or outdated funds, and the introduction of white label funds. They also walk through what these changes mean for pilots, key timelines, and what actions, if any, pilots need to take ahead of the May 1, 2026 transition.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee April 2026 Build Week
03/05/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the April 2026 build, the first five-week bid month of the year, and the continued operational impact of the MD-11 grounding across the fleet.

Marty also addresses bid line guarantees trending high near contractual limits and provides updates on scheduling changes. He also discusses retirements and record resignations, the potential need for future hiring, and broader concerns about staffing, morale, and pilot retention.

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Fly By Night: R&I Committee – Enhanced Catch-Up Contribution February 2026
02/25/2026

In this episode of our podcast, R&I Committee Member Captain Toby Cline breaks down the new Enhanced Catch-Up Contribution coming to the Pilot Retirement Savings Plan (PRSP) on March 1, 2026. He discusses who qualifies, how the new $11,250 catch-up limit works for pilots ages 60-63, key income-based changes affecting pre-tax contributions, and what pilots need to do to activate the benefit. He also outlines the differences between pre-tax and Roth contributions, and highlights important planning considerations to help pilots maximize their retirement savings.

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Fly By Night: Fact Team February 2026
02/18/2026

In this episode of our podcast, P2P Committee Chair and Fact Team member First Officer Kevin Messmer and Fact Team member First Officer Eric Moraes discuss the purpose and structure of the Fact Team.

They explain how the Fact Team supports pilots by providing clear and consistent answers about what the TA’d contract language says, outline how questions are submitted and handled, and review early participation data since launch. They also discuss how the Q&A process evolves based on pilot questions, and reinforce that the Fact Team’s role is strictly factual and not advo...


Fly By Night: Trip Services Committee February 2026
02/13/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Trip Services Committee Chair Captain Don Unwin and Vice Chair First Officer Jackie Crawford share how your Insites are driving improvements to our layover experience, both internationally and domestically. 

They also discuss ongoing challenges with Flight Services Desk staffing, how to properly submit “Day of Ops” Insites, updates on non-contract hotels, and provide insight on their recent tour of the Memphis catering facility.  

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee March 2026 Build Week
02/05/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the March 2026 build and the continued impact of the MD-11 grounding. Marty also addresses ongoing staffing pressures, the time and complexity involved in hiring and training, and how retirements and resignations are shaping the current environment. He provides brief updates on MD-11 discussions, upcoming system bids, and reinforces the importance of pilot engagement.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee February 2026 Build Week
01/08/2026

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the February 2026 build and the broader scheduling environment and trends.

Marty also addresses the impacts of the MD-11 grounding, the coordination required to rebuild the network during peak, and ongoing discussions with the Company. He shares updates on retirements, resignations, and current staffing realities. 

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee January 2026 Build Week
12/11/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the January 2026 build and the broader scheduling environment.

Captain Harrington outlines what pilots can expect across the bidpacks, including redistributed flying, new sequences in several fleets, and BLGs that are up across the system. He provides updates on overall credit hours compared to previous months, disputed pairings, and current retirement and resignation trends.

To close, he notes that the pressures pilots are seeing today reflect long-running scheduling challenges, with the MD-11 grounding exposing an already strained system.

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Fly By Night: Trip Services Committee – November 2025
11/21/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Trip Services Committee Chair Captain Don Unwin and Vice Chair First Officer Jackie Crawford provide an update on domestic and international hotel changes, ground transportation issues, and recent wins driven by pilot feedback. They highlight meaningful progress while stressing the vital role of Insites, DARTs, and professionalism in shaping better layover experiences for all FedEx pilots.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee December 2025 Build Week
11/06/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the December build and what pilots can expect. He discusses overall credit hours, the impact of midweek holidays, and the recent operational strain during Halloween week. He also highlights record fatigue calls, reduced weekend layovers, and continued challenges tied to pairing optimization. 

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Fly By Night: Negotiating Committee – October 2025 #3
11/01/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Negotiating Committee Chair First Officer Alan Bjorklund discusses recent progress in bargaining, including Tentative Agreements on Sections 8 and 25.

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Fly By Night: Negotiating Committee – October 2025 #2
10/19/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Negotiating Committee Chair First Officer Alan Bjorklund and Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discuss recent progress in bargaining, including Tentative Agreements on Sections 4 and 12. They outline improvements to MPDP pay triggers, duty rigs, and extension limits, as well as new provisions that enhance scheduling flexibility and quality of life. The discussion also highlights continued work on Section 25. Both emphasize a focus on progress-driven negotiations and the importance of staying engaged, informed, and united as efforts continue toward a highly ratifiable agreement.

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Fly By Night: Grievance 25-01 Update
10/16/2025

In this episode of our podcast, the Grievance Committee Chair, Captain Chris Wood; Scheduling Committee Chair, Captain Marty Harrington; Negotiating Committee Chair, First Officer Alan Bjorklund; and a Senior Attorney with the ALPA Legal Department sit down to discuss an update on Grievance 25-01.

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Fly By Night: Negotiating Committee – October 2025
10/12/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Negotiating Committee Chair First Officer Alan Bjorklund provides an update on negotiations and the return to direct bargaining with the Company. Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington joins the podcast and they discuss the use of Subject Matter Experts to aid in negotiations, upcoming sessions, and ongoing preparation. They also address rumors and highlight the Negotiating Committee’s focus on moving negotiations forward efficiently while maintaining high expectations for the final outcome. 

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Fly By Night: Joint Committee Discussion – October 2025
10/05/2025

In this episode of our podcast, we talk with Safety Committee Chair Captain Jim Perry, Security Committee Chair Captain Bill Schild, Grievance Committee Chair Captain Chris Wood, and Professional Standards Committee Chair Captain Nick Richardson. The committee chairs discuss some of the issues impacting our professionalism and careers at FedEx.

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Fly By Night: Council 26 Chair/Block 6 Representative – October 2025
10/04/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Council 26 Chair/Block 6 Representative First Officer Bryan Watson addresses his council on the latest developments with the MEC. 

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee November 2025 Build Week
10/02/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington discusses the November build and explains what pilots can expect during Peak. He discusses scheduling challenges, staffing imbalances and how the committee continues to address risks. 

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Fly By Night: Grievance Committee – September 2025
09/30/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Grievance Committee Vice Chair Captain JB Stettler discusses the committee’s work on both discipline and administrative cases. He discusses issues that are front and center, and why keeping good records and using resources like the DART system are critical for protecting pilots’ rights. 

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Fly By Night: LOSA – September 2025
09/28/2025

In this episode of our podcast, Safety Committee Vice Chair Captain Ken Nix and LOSA Co-Coordinator Captain Jason Gunderson discuss the upcoming Line Operations Safety Audit (LOSA) at FedEx. They break down how the program is structured, the role of ALPA volunteers, and why this collaborative effort between the union and the company is a critical step in strengthening our safety system.

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Fly By Night: R&I Committee Open Enrollment – September 2025
09/17/2025

In this episode of our podcast, we talk with R&I Committee Chair Captain Kevin Biggins about the upcoming 2026 open enrollment period, scheduled for October 14-29. He highlights important updates, including a new pharmacy benefit manager, changes to catch-up contributions, and reminders about beneficiary selections and wellness rewards. He also shares details about this year’s in-person and online benefits seminars.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee October 2025 Build Week
09/05/2025

In this episode, we talk with Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington for an update on October’s build week. He provides updates on credit hours, SAM triggers, and the impact of carryout heading into the peak season. Marty also shares how PSIT advocacy continues to deliver real wins for pilots. The discussion also covers disputed pairings, the long-delayed secondary line replacement and LOSA.  

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Fly By Night: Dangerous Goods Committee – August 2025
08/21/2025

In this episode, we talk with Dangerous Goods Committee Chair First Officer Luke Braswell. A Memphis-based 767 First Officer with extensive hazmat and firefighting experience, Luke shares updates on the committee’s work, recognizes the lasting contributions of previous DG committee volunteers, and highlights recent issues and reminders for crews handling dangerous goods. From lessons learned on recent incidents to ongoing efforts addressing lithium battery risks, Luke emphasizes vigilance, proper procedures, and the importance of accurate reporting in keeping our operation safe.

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Fly By Night: Trip Services Committee – August 2025
08/13/2025

In this episode, we talk with Trip Services Committee Chair Captain Don Unwin and Vice Chair First Officer Jackie Crawford. They bring pilots up to speed on recent and upcoming hotel inspections, catering updates, and operational changes impacting layovers worldwide. Don and Jackie also detail new contract properties, improvements to international menus, and share insights from quarterly meetings with Crew Travel Services, discuss the importance of pilot feedback through DARTs and Insites, and outline preparations for new markets, major events, and Memphis standby accommodations.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee September 2025 Build Week
08/08/2025

In this episode, we talk with Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington for an update on September’s build week and the latest scheduling challenges facing FedEx pilots. From a 10,000-hour jump in credit hours to the reintroduction of Honolulu 757 flying, Marty shares both the positives and the ongoing concerns, including low reserve levels, BLG manipulation, and costly operational decisions. The discussion also covers disputed pairings, recent retirements, and what it will take to finally exit 4.A.2.C.

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Fly By Night: Fatigue Risk Management Committee July 2025
07/16/2025

In this episode, we talk with Fatigue Risk Management Committee Chair Captain Rob Bassett. With an uptick in fatigue calls following schedule optimizations and reductions in day flying, Rob discusses how and when pilots should assess their readiness, utilize self-assessment tools, and confidently manage the fatigue call process. From practical checklists to pay implications, Rob offers clear guidance and underscores the critical importance of prioritizing health, safety, and operational integrity in one of the most demanding airline environments in the world.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee August 2025 Build Week
07/11/2025

In this episode we talk with Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington. Marty discusses the August build including credit hours, targets, and the SAM. Marty explains the triggers for entering and exiting 4.A.2.c and gives updates on disputed pairings and grievances. He also provides highlights from the recent SIG quarterly including how tariffs have affected international flying plans. He discusses reserve coverage challenges and also includes reminders about the scheduling app, trip trading rules, and new 757 flying to Hawaii starting in September.

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Fly By Night: Safety Committee – LOSA June 2025
06/20/2025

In this episode, we talk with Safety Committee Vice Chair Captain Ken Nix and LOSA Co-Coordinator Captain Jason Gunderson about the upcoming Line Operations Safety Audit, commonly known as LOSA. With LOSA returning to our property for the first time since 2010, Ken and Jason break down what LOSA is, why it matters, and how pilot participation will shape the future of training, safety, and operational excellence at FedEx. From confidentiality safeguards to schedule flexibility and observer requirements, this podcast also covers questions they have received from pilots via DARTs and offers clarity on what to expect.

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Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee July 2025 Build Week
06/05/2025

In this episode, we talk with Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington. Marty discusses the July build week, including scheduling challenges, comparisons to previous years’ credit and block hours, updates on disputed pairings, SIG Notes processes, grievances, and the upcoming LOSA. He also addresses pilot concerns about revisions, fatigue, and insufficient reserves.

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Fly By Night: Negotiating Committee – May 2025
05/23/2025

In this episode, we talk with Negotiating Committee Chair Captain John Gustafson. Captain Gustafson discusses what goes on behind the scenes between bargaining sessions, sheds light on the challenges of negotiating under a previously rejected tentative agreement, and shares insights into the importance of clear communication, pilot engagement, and the upcoming June 3rd picketing event.

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Fly By Night: Trip Services Committee – May 2025
05/19/2025

In this episode, we talk with Trip Services Committee Chair Captain Don Unwin and Vice Chair First Officer Jackie Crawford. Don and Jackie discuss their ongoing efforts to improve hotel accommodations, catering, and overall quality of life for pilots. They discuss the inspection and replacement of non-contract or underperforming hotels, enhancements to catering options based on crew feedback, and addressing the impact of deviations and trip revisions on hotel readiness. They emphasize the importance of providing data through tools like Insites and DARTs, as well as subscribing to catering and hotel FCIFs for timely information. They also noted upcoming global...


Fly By Night: Scheduling Committee June 2025 Build Week
05/08/2025

In this episode, we talk with Scheduling Committee Chair Captain Marty Harrington. Marty discusses the current state of the June build, highlighting challenges such as the high number of revisions and the impact of recent tariffs on international routes. Marty also provides updates on ongoing disputes, retirements, resignations, and continued issues with insufficient reserves.

Click here to view the transcript.