A mother-daughter duo, FedEx pilots Teri Eidson and Nicole McCallister, recently made history as the first to co-pilot an international flight.
The two pilots piloted FedEx Flight 5434 from Memphis International Airport to Incheon, South Korea. They departed early Thursday morning and arrived at Incheon International Airport on Friday, making the journey take just over 14 hours.
Mother-Daughter Duo Shares the Same Passion
According to WUSA9, the memorable day for the mother-daughter duo occurred just before Mother's Day and almost nine decades after Amelia Earhart's historic solo flight across the Atlantic.
Eidson, who is a Boeing 777F captain for FedEx, has been working for the airline for 28 years. She began her career as a flight attendant before pursuing a career as a pilot. Her daughter, McCallister, is a 777 first officer and followed in her mom's footsteps.
McCallister joined the US Air Force early in her career and interviewed with FedEx to become a pilot while eight months pregnant with her son. McCallister shared her excitement about being able to experience her career dream with her mom.
Both mother and daughter shared the same passion and drive, which helped them make history as the first mother-daughter team to co-pilot an international flight for FedEx.
Simple Flying reported that Eidson mentioned that she hadn't fully grasped the reality of flying with her daughter before they started their journey. She admitted that the thought of her daughter piloting the plane might not sink in until they were rolling down the runway.
Despite the excitement, they both knew they had to focus on the task at hand and reach their destination. Eidson added that it would be amazing to reflect on this experience later on.
On the other hand, McCallister expressed her excitement about the upcoming trip with her mother, mentioning that she had previously flown with her on a jumpseat.
She felt prepared for the journey due to her career training, and was confident that they would both focus on doing the job well.
McCallister believed that their shared passion for their careers would make for a great trip.
Inspiring Women in Aviation
Eidson reflected on her career, mentioning that not many women worked at FedEx when she started nearly 30 years ago. However, she explained that she hoped to have helped set up a path for other women as well. She mentioned that her daughter would be someone to inspire other women who aspire to work in the industry.
McCallister agreed, stating that women are able to succeed in their careers because of the support they get. She expressed her gratitude towards FedEx for giving her the chance to share her career passion with her mother, as she reflected on their memorable day. She felt honored to have experienced this special moment with her mother.
FedEx continues to lead the industry in supporting women in aviation, with the airline being the first to sponsor the Women in Aviation International Conference. The conference provides opportunities for women to network and learn about various aviation-related careers.
Eidson and McCallister are the first mother and daughter duo to fly internationally. However, according to People, on July 23, 2022, Captain Holly Petitt and First Officer Keely became the first-ever mother-daughter duo to fly locally from Denver to St. Louis, which marked a significant moment for Southwest Airlines and the aviation industry.
In conclusion, Eidson and McCallister's historic flight is a testament to the progress women have made in the aviation industry. They have shown that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of gender. They hope to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and pave the way for future generations of female pilots.
