So long Bimini Island Air

BIA was not operating the same way as IBC. You phoned BIA directly and the girl at the check in desk would book your seat on the computer through CarmenRez. There were ALWAYS scheduled flights, regular passengers knew when particular flights were. Bimini and Marsh Harbor were always in the computer. Nothing was ever connected with a travel agency unless it was a straight up group charter.
 
I talked to someone that works for one of they're competitors yesterday. He was actually pretty unbiased but he said previously on the website somewhere "we offer scheduled service to the Bahamas," was posted. Or something of that nature. This sort of thing happens a lot down here but posting it on the website tipped off the FAA and made it too obvious. Like sharks they started tracking they're flights looking for blood, also he said the rumor is that during an audit they found out one of the Saabs they are operating wasn't in they're OPSPECS...oops.

They're currently appealling the Emergency Revocation, they might get away with the selling seats issues because its a little grey... but if the Saab wasn't in they're Operations Specifications that's probably be the nail in the coffin.
 
They had two Saabs when I was there a few years ago. N460BA and N325SV. 460 did an aborted takoff -compressor stall - with a crew from ABC on board. They taxied back to the hangar and switched aircraft. 460 has been used for parts since then. 460 was the only aircraft in any of their manuals...they NEVER submitted changes to anything. At least while I was there they did not. I have a couple of their manuals on disk....funny how they talk about the movie screen and ovens on the Saab! It also talks about dual aisles! They must have paid someone at the FAA to get that puppy passed review! 325 belonged to SunVest and there were frequent trips on it to Orlando with realtors and their marks....just to look at converted condos.
 
Polar742 said:
ATA used to be a charter operator that ran "scheduled" flights. They had ticket counters, flights that left every day at certain times from the same gates and what not.

There are some sticky wickets in the on-demand/public charter vs. scheduled service definitions.
Click to expand...

I miss ATA and how they ran things. When I worked for UA, while on vacation in Hawaii I used to go up to their ticket counter and buy an ID-90 for me and whatever her name was (non-airline employee). Always got a seat.
 
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