Hello,

We are getting air in our (well) water pipes. I understand that the water table may have dropped, or there might be a leak in the pipe down in the well.

But...

... being too cheap to agree to pulling the pipe out of our well (to check for the leak), I'm hoping it is possible that the air could be leaking from the bladder in the pressure tank and getting into the water that way.

Is this possible?

I had the same problem awhile back. I finally called our plumber. The check valve at the holding tank was bad. After he replaced it the air in the water lines has gone and we now have better pressure in the faucets and shower. The pressure tank was OK.

CFRANK

You can check your tank in this way: turn off the electric power to your water pump,then open some faucets, when all the pressure is off, ie; no water at faucets, using a tire gauge check the air pressure in the tank, (there should be a valve stem on top of tank)
The pressure should be 2 lbs less than the pressure that your pump turns on at. EX: if your pump turns on at 30 psi then there should 28 psi pressure in the tank.

To check your water line from the house to the well, disconnect the water line at the tank and hook up a pressure gauge a valve stem to the water line. Using a air compressor pump the line up to 60 psi it should hold at that reading.
Good luck