Bank Running
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Nulla
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bank Running
I am interested to hear the opinions from anybody on bank/freight run pilots. Of particular interest would be the opinion of those who are involved in airline recruitment.
Is their experience level more highly regarded than say a NT charter pilot or for that matter any other charter pilot? Is the old belief of poorly maintained aircraft, shonky operations etc etc still apparent?
Is their experience level more highly regarded than say a NT charter pilot or for that matter any other charter pilot? Is the old belief of poorly maintained aircraft, shonky operations etc etc still apparent?
I would suggest that the face of bank running is changing. the freight companies and thier clients (banks) are tiring of fly by night companies who go broke and leave them in the lurch. Every aircraft not in its destination ultimately costs the banks and subsequently the freight comapnies on performance contracts big big $$. they have woken up to that fact that a higher hourly rate saves them $$ in the long run, and more reliable companies are stepping into the fold.]
Sorry for the digression but I am in no position to accurately answer your question, but if you are considering a career move into it, be mindful of the above.
Having said all that, be aware that there are shonks out there still.
Sorry for the digression but I am in no position to accurately answer your question, but if you are considering a career move into it, be mindful of the above.
Having said all that, be aware that there are shonks out there still.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Cambodia
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hell freezes over............
they have woken up to that fact that a higher hourly rate saves them $$ in the long run
I suggest that the more reliable companies are doing those runs at just about cost, thanks to the many who have been operating for unrealistic rates, and have gone bust before them.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Nulla
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have heard that some companies are still accepting pilots that want time on type under the guise of ICUS. One would hope that the aircraft operators arn't building this into the quote for the runs. Does this still go on?
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Spot on Comp Stall,
Bank running will be an important part of GA for years to come and yes, reliability is a big part of the scene. It's extremely competitive, however, I think we'll always see niche companies (aka Jet-craft and Pel-air) doing it better than anybody. At the end of the day said companies still need to make money on these operations and as such will employ drivers that are capable of getting the job done. I'm not suggesting that said employees will break the rules to satisfy the boss but in the recruitment proceess the employers will look to candidates that are more capable and experienced enough to endure the challenges of flogging through the night and often crap weather to complete the task. Freight is lucrative and if you're good at it then it's easy, low cost money. Some companies do exploite low time drivers in the freight world and from what I'm told the afor mentioned companies don't. At the end of the day the guys/girls that prostitute themselves to this are only letting themselves and the rest of ther industry down. Get your time but do it the right way.
Put me down for 5 cents
Onya
Bank running will be an important part of GA for years to come and yes, reliability is a big part of the scene. It's extremely competitive, however, I think we'll always see niche companies (aka Jet-craft and Pel-air) doing it better than anybody. At the end of the day said companies still need to make money on these operations and as such will employ drivers that are capable of getting the job done. I'm not suggesting that said employees will break the rules to satisfy the boss but in the recruitment proceess the employers will look to candidates that are more capable and experienced enough to endure the challenges of flogging through the night and often crap weather to complete the task. Freight is lucrative and if you're good at it then it's easy, low cost money. Some companies do exploite low time drivers in the freight world and from what I'm told the afor mentioned companies don't. At the end of the day the guys/girls that prostitute themselves to this are only letting themselves and the rest of ther industry down. Get your time but do it the right way.
Put me down for 5 cents
Onya
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: Australia
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am not involved in airline recruitment but I do get to see those who have been recruited at my airline up close. Here at least I don't see any bias towards or against "bank run" drivers. I have flown with several of said types here at VB.
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Aust
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Comp Stall - Its news to everyone in the business that the freight companies have decided to pay bigger bucks for a better service. They just want the better service! To be fair to the freight companies; they are dealing with banks and we all know how they do business. Do you think the banks want to pay more or less for the service when they go to tender?
Bitter Balance
My sources tell me that the changing face of bank running (particularly in NSW/QLD) is through a company that pays its pilots the award and has aircraft in excellent condition (and does not accept paying ICUS pilots), has picked up several bank runs at the cost of a couple "fly by night" companies which are continually trying to break even, and have lupine guests weekly. 
The rates charged by the company are apparently higher than the aforementioned dodgy bros and co, although not by a huge amount. Hence, my conclusion that the contracts are being decided on a performance basis.
The expansion of the first mentioned company has only been hindered in its expansion plans by the difficulties procuring suitable aircraft.
The rates charged by the company are apparently higher than the aforementioned dodgy bros and co, although not by a huge amount. Hence, my conclusion that the contracts are being decided on a performance basis.
The expansion of the first mentioned company has only been hindered in its expansion plans by the difficulties procuring suitable aircraft.
bitter balance
That's what I was told, but I am now half a country away, and well removed from the action. It sounds as though your finger is on the pulse more than mine! 
Fly safe!
CS (ex bank runner)
Fly safe!
CS (ex bank runner)
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Nulla
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thankyou Spruce, that's what I wanted to know. Thanks also to Comp Stall, it's interesting to see your opinions considering you were a bankrunner.
I would think that GAM are one of the better operators are they not? What other companies run?
Anybody......
I would think that GAM are one of the better operators are they not? What other companies run?
Anybody......
Azimuth. "Bank running" is a contract freight service, mostly between country centres and cities. It usually involves the banks contracting their daily movement of supporting documentation to major freight companies, who "top up" the bank load with their own express freight, newspapers etc.
Traditionally, the banks are reputed to screw the major express freight operators, who in turn screw gullible or unscrupulous air charter operators. As a result, the air service has mostly involved old and tired single and twin engine "IFR" aircraft, of dubious maintenance standards, operated by air charter operators who are allergic to paying the pilots Award wages - if they get paid at all. Indeed, one lurk is to sell ICUS, thus having the pilots pay for the privilege of flying.
In turn, these operators mostly go broke, eliminating their employee’s unpaid wages, super etc. Given time - usually around 12 hours - these operators "borrow" another AOC and are back in business with under maintained cross hire aircraft, flown by unpaid pilots who are intimidated if they even mention CAO 48.
And so the whole cycle perpetuates itself every few months. And has done for many generations. And will do for many more.
To see bank running in action, watch almost any city secondary airport (Archerfield, Bankstown etc) around dusk or dawn (hours when CASA staff are not around).
Traditionally, the banks are reputed to screw the major express freight operators, who in turn screw gullible or unscrupulous air charter operators. As a result, the air service has mostly involved old and tired single and twin engine "IFR" aircraft, of dubious maintenance standards, operated by air charter operators who are allergic to paying the pilots Award wages - if they get paid at all. Indeed, one lurk is to sell ICUS, thus having the pilots pay for the privilege of flying.
In turn, these operators mostly go broke, eliminating their employee’s unpaid wages, super etc. Given time - usually around 12 hours - these operators "borrow" another AOC and are back in business with under maintained cross hire aircraft, flown by unpaid pilots who are intimidated if they even mention CAO 48.
And so the whole cycle perpetuates itself every few months. And has done for many generations. And will do for many more.
To see bank running in action, watch almost any city secondary airport (Archerfield, Bankstown etc) around dusk or dawn (hours when CASA staff are not around).
Shaablamm
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Nulla
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey MJ I think you've got the wrong person there, sorry.
One of the amusing things with this forum is that alot of people seem to think that eveybody has an alterior motive for a simple enquiry like this one.
On the topic of being paid under the award wage. We all know that it goes on and will for a long time but excuse my ignorance for a moment. Is it illegal to pay a pilot under the award wage? Has anybody out there ever taken there issues further with this and if so to whom or where?
One of the amusing things with this forum is that alot of people seem to think that eveybody has an alterior motive for a simple enquiry like this one.
On the topic of being paid under the award wage. We all know that it goes on and will for a long time but excuse my ignorance for a moment. Is it illegal to pay a pilot under the award wage? Has anybody out there ever taken there issues further with this and if so to whom or where?
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, GAM doesn't charge an arm and a leg more than the opposition, they just deliver the service required, and are able to do so because the company controls everything from maintenance to crewing, which means beholden to noone. Good luck to 'em as well, and I don't work for them either..............
shaablamm.
"Is it illegal to pay a pilot under the award wage?"
It is illegal for an employer to pay an employee less than the Award (with or without agreement), where an Award is in force. This is a requirement under the Federal Workplace Relations Act 1996 (or in Queensland, The Industrial Relations Act 1999).
For workers not covered by an Award (i.e. no Union coverage, e.g. certain computer workers, cotton chippers and certain other agricultural workers), the minimum wage in Queensland is $431.40 per 40 hour week.
"Is it illegal to pay a pilot under the award wage?"
It is illegal for an employer to pay an employee less than the Award (with or without agreement), where an Award is in force. This is a requirement under the Federal Workplace Relations Act 1996 (or in Queensland, The Industrial Relations Act 1999).
For workers not covered by an Award (i.e. no Union coverage, e.g. certain computer workers, cotton chippers and certain other agricultural workers), the minimum wage in Queensland is $431.40 per 40 hour week.