This autumn, one airline in our November roundup moved its whole operation to another airport, a four-and-a-half-hour coach ride from its main base, "until further notice". Its captain posting stayed open throughout. (>FlightGlobal)
I'm not singling anyone out. Things like this can happen anywhere. But it's a reminder of something I've learned in years of flying: as captains, we brief contingencies before every departure, and then we sign multi-year contracts abroad without briefing a single one.
These are the questions I'd want answered, ideally in writing, before signing.
1. Base and temporary relocation
- If operations move to another airport temporarily, where do I report, and who pays for travel, hotels and extra commuting time?
- Is there a limit on how long a "temporary" base change can last before it counts as a permanent move?
- Can the airline change my base without my agreement? What notice is given?
- Is duty time counted from home base or from the temporary base?
2. Airport closure and airspace restrictions
- What happens to my roster and pay if flying is reduced or suspended?
- Is pay guaranteed (minimum guarantee or basic salary) or largely sector or block-hour based?
- Can I be stood down unpaid, or placed on leave I didn't choose?
3. Security and evacuation
- Does the airline have a crisis or evacuation plan for crew and families?
- Who arranges and pays for family evacuation, and is there insurance that covers it?
- Is housing in a compound or area with its own security arrangements?
- Who is my point of contact if the situation changes while I'm away on a trip?
4. Contract exits and bonds
- If I resign during a crisis, does a training bond still apply in full?
- Are there force-majeure clauses, and who do they protect?
- What is the notice period on each side, and is it different during probation?
5. Family logistics
- What happens to school fees already paid if we have to leave mid-year?
- Do visas for my family depend on my employment, and how quickly would they lapse?
- Is there a repatriation allowance, and does it apply if the airline ends the contract?
6. Career continuity
- If the fleet or network shrinks, what happens to command seniority? Could I be downgraded to first officer?
- Does my licence or type rating stay current if flying is suspended for months?
- Am I keeping my home licence valid as a fallback? See converting your pilot licence.
How to ask without hurting your chances
Ask at offer stage, not in the interview. Keep it calm and factual: "Before I relocate my family, I'd like to understand the contingency arrangements." Ask for the answers in the contract or a written policy, not just a phone call. A good airline will respect it. If an airline won't answer at all, that's an answer too.
The captain's bottom line
We'd never depart without an alternate. Don't move your career and family across the world without one either. Pair this list with my broader questions to ask before accepting an overseas airline job, and check the latest openings in the November direct-entry captain roundup.
Next steps
- Take the free Airline Move Readiness Self-Check before you apply.
- The Airline Move Playbook includes a wait-or-move worksheet to help you weigh the decision.
Frequently asked questions
Why ask about contingencies before signing?
Because once you've moved your family and resigned from your old airline, your bargaining power is gone. Base moves, airport closures and evacuations happen, and the contract terms that apply are the ones you agreed to.
Is it rude to ask these questions at offer stage?
No. Experienced captains ask about risk for a living. Asking calmly and professionally shows exactly the judgement an airline wants in the left seat.
Do these questions apply only to the Middle East?
No. Any region can face airport closures, airspace restrictions, natural disasters or a sudden network change. The questions are the same wherever you go.
