Retiring Pilot's Family Surprises Him at Gate after His Final Flight

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Brad’s journey began during his college years. A T-38 mockup on campus had caught his eye, and it turns out he would inherit his dad’s passion for flying.

Retiring Pilot Lands for the Final Time after 35 Years

“I always had a love for flying,” the retiree said. “My dad was a big aviation enthusiast and even built his own airplane.”

In 1982, at the age of 22, Brad joined the Air Force Initial Flight Screening program, where he got to fly a T-41. He served eight years in active duty and another eight in the Air National Guard. He also joined American Airlines as a carrier pilot and remained there for 25 years.

His final flight was from Hawaii to Arizona on July 1. He came walking through, wearing a lei. When he walked through the gate, his family was there waiting for him, holding signs and wearing leis and floral shirts.

A Last-Minute Get-Together, But the Family Made It Happen

His daughter, Lindsay Pritchard, captioned the moment in a viral TikTok video.

“My dad didn't want any kind of celebration or retirement party but we knew deep down he would be so excited to see his family when he got off the plane,” she said.

The family flew in from all over the country to surprise him.

It Was Quite the Surprise

“We thought it would be super difficult to get the whole family there on a relatively short notice, but everyone in the family, without hesitation, committed and said they would make it work to be present,” Lindsay said.

 

Brad’s wife, Denise, and American Airlines helped to get the family special gate passes. Denise, Brad’s three kids, his mom, stepdad, and two grandkids were there.

“I just about broke out crying but I knew once I let out that first tear, I wouldn't be able to control it so I tried hard to fight that back,” Brad said. “I felt grateful to be able to share such a special moment with my entire family.”

The family gathered at Brad’s home and enjoyed a pool day together, and Brad was happy.

A Bittersweet Goodbye to the Sky

“There was a sense of relief and lifted weight of responsibility, you know, never again would I have to go to work and have hundreds of lives be my responsibility to get them to their destinations safely,” Brad said. “At the same time, on my last flight, everything I did crossed my mind that I would never have fun getting to do this again.”

Over Brad’s career, he flew military aircraft, the A-10, AT-38, and F-16, and later piloted the 757, 777, and Airbus 321. He averaged four to five trips a month and would be away from home for days at a time.

“The best parts about being a pilot were the many people from all walks of life that I got to meet,” Brad said. “I had the best office in the world, being up in the sky... I got to travel to some amazing places all over the world.”

How sweet is it that the whole family planned a difficult surprise for the veteran on short notice? It shows how loved and admired he is in his family. Congratulations on 35 years in the sky, Brad; you are blessed!

WATCH: Retiring Pilot's Family Surprises Him at Gate after His Final Flight

@lindsey_pritchard Surprising my dad with the whole family flying out to be at the airport when he gets off his very last flight before retiring 🥲 #fyp #viral #foryou #trending #flying #flight #retirement #dad #foryoupage #follow #dadsoftiktok #pilot #airplane #tiktok #family ♬ original sound - Lindsey Pritchard

This content originally appeared on GodTube.com; used with permission.
Photo Credit: ©TikTok/lindsey_pritchard