2) Taking MAD-VLC a stage further - suppose at VLC due to slow pax transfer it became impossible to operate back to base and you took 'min rest' at either VLC or after going to MAD? Who arranges and pays hotac?
BOAC, in my experience whilst at Ryanair it would always be the Company who picked up the tab for hotac in this case.
I was not a contractor (thank goodness) so cannot comment on your other queries.