anybody else witnessed the harmonica-playing pilot?
 

Has anyone else had the pleasure of being on a flight piloted by the jovial, harmonica-playing Captain Michael D. "Mad Dog" Watson?

I was on his flight a few months ago and have been meaning to post about it. After boarding he surprised all the PAX by launching into some impassioned harmonica music over the PA system. He continued to intersperse the pre-flight announcements with melodies on the harmonica.

We also got a good-bye song after the landing. Everybody applauded enthusiastically after the performance. It made my day and put everybody on that morning flight in a good mood. ^

I also found a relatively recent article in which he's mentioned and you can listen to him play:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/d...-from-airtran/

Perhaps he's the same guy that used to work at AA and NW/DL?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...ing-pilot.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...nition-fa.html

Probably Michael D. Watson aka "Mad Dog" Watson. When he says between he and his co-pilot they have XX years combined flying that's something to respect.

Very professional guy and it's just something different for the passengers. Pre-flight along with Bad to the Bone I've heard a couple of times.

But I've heard there is another pilot that also does the same but haven't witnessed it.

He's gonna fit right in as WNM takes over.

Mad Dog is awsome......one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.

Very nice guy - used to love having him fly into my station at RDU when we both worked at ValuJet......oh the days.

By luck of the draw, I had Captain Watson on MKE-CAK this Tuesday. ATL-based flight crew on a 717.

He played Bad to the Bone and welcomed the passengers via the intercom in a very animated fashion!

Said he and his first officer have a combined 80+ years of experience.

Very entertaining and put all the passengers at ease, that's for sure!

Here's his standard intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75BxwHPOvDo

What a boss.

LOVE IT!

Thanks for posting. I wasn't able to get a good recording when I encountered him, but this one is outstanding!

Seems like these days he'd be playing the blues instead.

Nah...he's probably happy to be joining the Southwest pilot group.

All the AirTran employees are. They love the new pay scale.

I'm sure you're right. Who wouldn't love working for a new company that threatened to dismantle his old company and lay off the pilots if they didn't sign a new contract. Sounds like a great place to work!

Onboard AirTran 281 right now (ATL-BOS) and was greeted by the harmonica playing pilot. Agree that he'll love it at Southwest.

Heads up on Mike Watson
 

If you ever fly with this guy, remember that if YOU DO NOT KISS HIS REAR END then you are a no body to him.

He has a history of screwing over his coworkers if they do not put him on a pedestal. The musical bumpkin thinks he runs the airline and will put you in your place if his majesty's commands are not carried out to the tee.

Watch out for Mad Dog!!!!