BankAir

[Flying Illini]

Just looking for info on their operation. I can't seem to find a webpage for them by googling the name...anyone have any suggestions? Or even contact info for someone there?

Thanks

 

[RedDogC130]

There is no website. They operate Lear 25s, 35s and MU2s. They are a good company for building time and "experiences" you can't find anywhere else. The headquarters are in Columbia SC with a lot of out bases. Usually need to know someone to find out when they are hiring. If you walked in the door and talked to the owner, I bet you he would give you a job that day if they needed somone. That is the way they operate...you must be able to relocate to the city you would fly out of. Upgrades are fairly qiuck. Thats is about it.

 

[kingaira90]

Go to www.raa.org in the airline list bankair is listed!

The CP only takes job calls for a few hrs on friday or manday I think. Everytime I was looking for a job I called on the wrong day, so I got blocked. Then I would forget on the correct day. I guess it helps weed out the non dedicated types (me).-kingaira90

 

[MD11Drvr]

What Mr. RedDog said. I was treated no better or worse than any other place I had worked.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

LEars and MU-2's. Work Monday night-Thursday night, sometimes with a day off or two in between. Depends on your base. Pay and bennies could be better but schedule is good other than working nights. Every weekend off starting Friday morning and going until Monday night. A few jumpseat agreements as well. Typically fly with the same person or persons so if you fly with a schmuck it can be unpleasant.

Mr. I.

 

[LittleLearBoy]

I worked there for almost 5 years, and I have to agree with RedDog and MD11. I had a blast!! I did a little over a 1000 per year when I was there. You can only call on fridays after 2pm.

LLB

 

[Air 1]

I saw somewhere where they had a few other bases besides CAE. Where are the others located at?

 

[BenderGonzales]

Their FBO in CAE stinks. Terrific pilot lounge... not. The whole place is like going back in time to 1977. Try and sleep in that pilot lounge with BankAir operations running (loudly) from an office across the hall.

Oh well. I guess if I worked there i'd be glad they weren't wasting money on frivolous junk but as a transient who goes there for cheap(er) fuel it is severely lacking.

 

[RedDogC130]

Need a tissue, they really do not hand out the red carpet to the Cessna 182 coming in for lunch. You are flying into CAE what else did you expect? The whole city is still in 1977. As for the bases, I will try to list a few I remember. Miami (OPF), Jacksonville, PHL, MDW, STP, PIT (I think they moved from Burke Lakefront), BOS, SLC, DAL (I think they still have a plane there), ATL, MEM...and a few more for the MU2s.

 

[Rip Vanwinkle]

They fly the Mitsu single pilot? What kind of times are they looking for? Typically start as Lear FO or MU-2 PIC? When you say "poor" salary, how poor are we talking?

Thanks,
Rip

 

[holdmybeer]

Do they still have an MU2 in LIT?

 

[RedDogC130]

I made a little over 50K as a captian 4 years ago. Not bad for working 4 days a week, weekends/holidays off and being home every night. I was not starving

 

[Jeff775621]

does anyone know if they are looking for fos out of kbkl? and what are the mins they hire fos

 

[Flying Illini]

Thanks guys! I'll have to put "friday after 2pm" on my calendar!

 

[jaxpilot]

I was told they dont have minimums, If you show up in CAE and they need pilots you have a chance. I was told one guy got on with 250 hours or so. Used to fuel their Lears in JAX and heard this from many of the pilots.

 

[MD11Drvr]

JaxPilot

I could be wrong on this one but the only pilot I know of that got hired by BankAir who used to be a fueler at AirKaman was me. I had a lot more time then 250 hours. Closer to 2500+,400+multi and 125ish sic NA265 time. I am not trying to discourage you but I don't want the story distorted. The only reason I was hired from what I was told was they needed another A&P pilot. The one they had (Jimmy) was hurt in an MU-2 crash. At the time I was hired there guys having to interview to flight instruct. Or the other option was PFT and I was not going to do that. I may be wrong on this one but I dont' think so unless this was a recent thing.................

I was told they dont have minimums, If you show up in CAE and they need pilots you have a chance. I was told one guy got on with 250 hours or so. Used to fuel their Lears in JAX and heard this from many of the pilots.

​

 

[RedDogC130]

MD11DRVR. I think I know who he is talking about the 250 hours. I believe there were a few that had low hours like that. After your time. Jaxpilot I believe used to fuel there, not the guy. Probably heard all this from the Miami guys going in there at night. Catch my drift.

 

[Mr. Irrelevant]

Mins vary even today. As some of these guys will tell you, you typically fly with the same guy or guys all the time so the company listens to recommendations. If the person recommended has 4000 hours or 1000 hours it won't matter too much.

Mr. I.

 

[MD11Drvr]

RedDog,

OK...I guess things have changed maybe. I just did'nt want Jaxpilot thinking there was a job at 250 hours but maybe there might be. I guess my time was awhile ago now and things are certain to have changed. Now that I think about it my time was 9 years ago. I am starting to feel those gray hairs.................

 

[Jeff775621]

i want a job with bankair. sounds like a decent opperation

 

[CFINY]

Hi all,

Do they have any Lears at TEB?

Thx.

 

[CFINY]

Pay...

One more thing, how is pay for Lear FO's 1st.,2nd. year?

Thx.

 

[flagshipper]

Let me try to answer some of the questions

i heard most of the mu-2 guys who get hired have 3000 plus. they dont have a mu-2 in lit but they have a lear there. I dont think there is a plane based in bkl but a few of the runs go through there. I agree that fo mins vary from a 250 hr guy with connections to 2000 hour guys. They offer you pay based on your experience. That is about all I have heard about bankair

 

[RedDogC130]

It is all about who you know, not really what you know. I think we all know that in this industry. If it were about what you know or things you fly everyone would be at the airline of thier dreams. It is the way it is. I wish I knew someone at a couple of the airlines I want to be at. The 250 hour guys are the ones who knew someone and where in the right place at the right time. 2 guys worked there as grounders and the 3rd had a relative flying at the company part time who got him in. MD11DRVR, I think we both know that guy. I think he works with you at World right?

 

[MD11Drvr]

It is all about who you know, not really what you know. I think we all know that in this industry. If it were about what you know or things you fly everyone would be at the airline of thier dreams. It is the way it is. I wish I knew someone at a couple of the airlines I want to be at. The 250 hour guys are the ones who knew someone and where in the right place at the right time. 2 guys worked there as grounders and the 3rd had a relative flying at the company part time who got him in. MD11DRVR, I think we both know that guy. I think he works with you at World right?

LOL RedDog....If Bill and I had known things would have led to where they did we would have run that guy off for sure. But in the end we liked him too much and he brought some much needed class to the operation. At this point I would do anything I could for that guy even if it means helping his overqaulified relative get a job. As long as my resume stays away from his I won't look so underqaulified. I am just wondering how long it will take for a really good company to recognize just how over qaulified that relative is and hire him away................

 

[LittleLearBoy]

Hi all,

Do they have any Lears at TEB?

Thx.

To what I have heard, the TEB is now in PHL.

Hey RD, MD. Did my last trip with your sister company. DFW-SNN-DFW. Week off then it is back to the boxes!! And as for time, I knew someone that is how I got my foot in the door at BKA.

LLB

 

[Mason]

Pay?

Could someone chime in on what the general pay range is? MU-2 PIC, Lear FO/Captain.

 

[RedDogC130]

30-50, 30s, 40-50. It all depends on who you are, are they giving you a good opportunity, do they think you will be around for awhile.

 

[8inMan]

What aircraft do they have based at MDW?

 

[RedDogC130]

used to be 1 LR-35