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  <xs:element id="fwrd_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGrossAndContingentConsiderationLiability" abstract="false" name="PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGrossAndContingentConsiderationLiability" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_SelfInsuranceRetentionWorkersCompensation" abstract="false" name="SelfInsuranceRetentionWorkersCompensation" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DiscontinuedOperationPeriodOfContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalAccountsReceivableAllowanceForCreditLoss" abstract="false" name="DiscontinuedOperationPeriodOfContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalAccountsReceivableAllowanceForCreditLoss" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DiscontinuedOperationPeriodOfContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalReceivable" abstract="false" name="DiscontinuedOperationPeriodOfContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalReceivable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween0And3000Member" abstract="true" name="AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween0And3000Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInsuranceAndClaimsCosts" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationInsuranceAndClaimsCosts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DiscontinuedOperationPeriodOfContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalReimbursementPeriod" abstract="false" name="DiscontinuedOperationPeriodOfContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalReimbursementPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_RangeofClaimAxis" abstract="true" name="RangeofClaimAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DiscontinuedOperationContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalMaximumVendorPaymentRemittance" abstract="false" name="DiscontinuedOperationContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalMaximumVendorPaymentRemittance" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember" abstract="true" name="NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween5000And10000Member" abstract="true" name="AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween5000And10000Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_TruckloadMember" abstract="true" name="TruckloadMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFuelExpense" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationFuelExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_SelfInsuranceRetentionLiabilityAdditionalDeductibleApplicableRange" abstract="false" name="SelfInsuranceRetentionLiabilityAdditionalDeductibleApplicableRange" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_EarnOutLiabilityMember" abstract="true" name="EarnOutLiabilityMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetImpairmentCharges" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationAssetImpairmentCharges" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleAssets" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndTotalLiabilitiesAssumedTangibleAssets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_PaymentsToProceedsFromAffiliates" abstract="false" name="PaymentsToProceedsFromAffiliates" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimit" abstract="false" name="LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureIncreaseLimit" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityEarnoutPeriodOne" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityEarnoutPeriodOne" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedImpairment" abstract="false" name="FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedImpairment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToEsppStockPurchases" abstract="false" name="NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToEsppStockPurchases" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ProficientTransportIncorporatedAndProficientTruckingIncMember" abstract="true" name="ProficientTransportIncorporatedAndProficientTruckingIncMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NonvestedSharesandDeferredStockUnitsMember" abstract="true" name="NonvestedSharesandDeferredStockUnitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsAndExpenses" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationCostsAndExpenses" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DiscontinuedOperationContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalRevenue" abstract="false" name="DiscontinuedOperationContinuingInvolvementAfterDisposalRevenue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="ExpeditedFreightSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLaborAndRelatedExpense" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLaborAndRelatedExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween0And1000Member" abstract="true" name="AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween0And1000Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_SelfInsuranceRetentionLiabilityAdditionalDeductible" abstract="false" name="SelfInsuranceRetentionLiabilityAdditionalDeductible" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtInstrumentBaseRateFloor" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentBaseRateFloor" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_LiabilityInsuranceCoverage" abstract="false" name="LiabilityInsuranceCoverage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtInstrumentFederalFundsRateFloor" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentFederalFundsRateFloor" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween3000And5000Member" abstract="true" name="AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween3000And5000Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseAndRentalExpense" abstract="false" name="DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationLeaseAndRentalExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember" abstract="true" name="KeyEmployeePerformanceShareBasedPlanMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_StockRepurchasePlan2019Member" abstract="true" name="StockRepurchasePlan2019Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_BloombergShortTermBankYieldIndexMember" abstract="true" name="BloombergShortTermBankYieldIndexMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_RangeofClaimDomain" abstract="true" name="RangeofClaimDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween0And2000Member" abstract="true" name="AggregateDeductibleForClaimsBetween0And2000Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtInstrumentBloombergShortTermBankYieldIndexAdditionalRate" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentBloombergShortTermBankYieldIndexAdditionalRate" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NetworkMember" abstract="true" name="NetworkMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_BarOleTruckingIncMember" abstract="true" name="BarOleTruckingIncMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_FinalMileMember" abstract="true" name="FinalMileMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtInstrumentBloombergShortTermBankYieldIndexRateFloor" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentBloombergShortTermBankYieldIndexRateFloor" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember" abstract="true" name="SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityEarnoutPeriod" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationLiabilityEarnoutPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
