I really don't know what the fuss is all about. I regularly leave base on days off, and always complete the off base notification. I use it to my benefit as they don't call me when away (several times been called on off days when on base) and if it suits me to operate back (saving about 900 Dhs in UK tax alone outbound) I would, but so far it has never been requested. The one colleague I know who operated a flight back negotiated a very favourable deal for the rest of his roster as they were in a tight spot. Win/win. There are lots of things which are unpalatable with EK requirements, but this is not one of them. Shows just how paranoid our pilots are when this becomes an issue.