Company First as Generations Oversee Flight from Memphis to Incheon

Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister became the first mother-daughter duo to pilot an international flight, according to FedEx personnel.

The pilots took FedEx flight 5434 from the carrier's main hub at Memphis International Airport to Incheon, South Korea. The 14-hour flight preceded Mother's Day by a few weeks, but offered a unique opportunity for a family moment seldom seen in the industry. In recounting their experience to journalist Channing Reid, they said the idea of being a 'first' in aviation history hadn't quite sunk in. Eidson is a long time FedEx lifer, starting her career nearly 30 years ago as a flight attendant before moving into the flight deck to work her way up to a 777 captain. Her daughter moved on to FedEx after completing a stint in the US Air Force.

“I mean, the opportunity for the two of us to go fly a Triple Seven around the world?" said Captain Eidson. "I mean, how many people can say they get to do that? You take your daughter to work day? I literally get to take my daughter to work.”

"To be completely honest…I don't know that it's really sunk in yet," Eisdon added. "I mean, I think we'll be rolling down the runway and go, 'Oh wait, that's my little baby there!' It seems like we're still just going to work. We gotta focus on the task at hand and get there. It's gonna be so cool to look back at this."

McCallister was equally pleased with the chance. “I’ve been able to fly with my mom on a jumpseat before. I just think that we’re both the kind of people that wanna get the job done and get it done well, and I think we’re gonna have a great trip. I’m just so honored that we’re able to have this opportunity because it’s one thing to have a goal in mind and to have a dream you wanna experience, but how many people get to share that same passion and dream of a career as their parents and with their mom?”

FMI: www.FedEx.com