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Home » United Express » Pilot By Day, Violinist By Night
United Express

Pilot By Day, Violinist By Night

Matthew Klint Posted onDecember 28, 2019November 14, 2023 3 Comments

a man playing a violin

A pilot’s violin serenade of his flight offers a beautiful look into the joy of loving what you do.

It was Christmas Day and passengers were boarding United flight 3705, operated by Republic Airways on behalf of United Express.

A man with a violin was waiting at the door of the aircraft, with the soft sound of Christmas music wafting down the jet bridge.

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la, la la la la.”

This man was also the captain of the flight, Joseph Tar Schmidt.

It was truly an honor to play for our lovely customers this Christmas. Bringing holiday cheer one carol at a time! 🎄🎁😃 pic.twitter.com/LzQTLGSpjl

— ✈Joseph Tar Schmidt✈ (@StringAndRudder) December 26, 2019

Upon the completion of boarding, Captain Schmidt welcomed everyone onboard with another song.

Schmidt is not only a commercial airline pilot, but a freelance musician and violin extraordinaire.

Here’s how he describes himself on LinkedIN:

“I am an extremely passionate individual and consider myself very lucky to be able to do what I love for a living. Aviation and Music have been in my life since before I could remember. Since I was a kid, I’ve looked skyward and through the help of many people, I made flying my career. I started playing the violin at the age of 10 and can truly say that it has been a pleasure.”

Captain Schmidt, I salute you for recognizing your passion and pursuing it. I would have loved to have been on your Christmas Day flight, but hope you will bring back the violin again and again…a little bit of beautiful music always brightens my day and I am sure I am not alone.

(H/T: View from the Wing // image: @reportedbyeddie)

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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3 Comments

  1. Paolo Reply
    December 28, 2019 at 9:57 am

    Lovely, but let’s hope Nearer My God To Thee is not in his repertoire ( …historical reference, not a religious one…)

    • Matthew Reply
      December 28, 2019 at 10:05 am

      Yes, probably not best to bring up Titanic imagery.

  2. Vernon St. Amour Reply
    December 28, 2019 at 5:20 pm

    Upside down “Orange Blossom Special” or nothing.

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