Pilot Soars into Retirement: Valley Aviator’s Last Commercial Flight Captained Alongside Son

After more than 40 years of flying, pilot Tom Schmidt will take his final commercial flight this week.

PHOENIX — A Valley pilot is set to retire after a career spanning over four decades.

Tom Schmidt, a Southwest Airlines captain, said his final flight will take place on Friday. He will be joined by his son, Matt, who is also a pilot with the airline.

Tom’s flying career began in the 1980s when he served in the Air Force, flying tanker aircraft like the KC-10.

He later transitioned to commercial flying, spending over 30 years with Southwest Airlines.

“There’s nothing like flying, taking off in the early morning, at sunset, or sunrise, and watching everything,” Tom said. “It’s been rewarding, getting families and friends to their destination for vacation or to visit family, or whatever reason they’re traveling.”

Tom had the chance to retire early during the pandemic but chose to continue flying. He hoped to share the experience with his son, Matt, who was working towards his pilot’s license. 

Eventually, his son Matt joined Southwest Airlines, and the two have spent the past two and a half years flying together.

“Every time I’m up in the cockpit, I just look over at him and pinch myself like it’s a dream come true,” Tom said.

Tom recalled teaching Matt how to fly on a plane he owned, sharing memories of aerobatic maneuvers and formation flying.

“I taught him how to fly upside down and do acrobatics formations,” Tom said. “He’s the only one of my three kids that showed interest in flying, and I nurtured it.”

Matt said that although he and his father have flown together many times, Tom’s retirement flight will be the most important. 

“Having the ability to sit in that right seat and get the opportunity to be his first officer will be a great moment for us,” Matt said. “The family being there for his last flight makes it even more special.”

Matt joked that he doesn’t always like to admit it, but his father is a highly sought-after pilot to work with, known as “the chocolate bar guy.”

Tom said he started a tradition of giving crew members Hershey chocolate bars when he became captain.

“That was my introduction to the flight attendants who didn’t know me,” Tom said. “Here’s your breakfast of champions, a Hershey bar. It usually put a smile on their face and put them in a good mood.”

Tom called his near retirement “bittersweet” and said he initially did not want to do it.

“To be honest with you, I was not happy about it,” Tom said. “There was a bill in the Senate to raise the age to 67, which I was looking forward to, but it failed by one vote in the committee and wasn’t attached to the bill when they passed it in May.”

However, Tom said he’ll still be able to fly with his son in his airplane and looks forward to traveling with his wife.

“My wife has been retired for 10 years, and she’s ready for me to move on to the next chapter of our lives,” Tom said.

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