Asda.....seriously, no I expect Marks and Spencer at the very least, Waitrose is preferable.

But seriously, I used to have a Blackberry work phone when I worked in GA, provided by the boss and paid for. Of course I had to be available 24/7 but themselves the breaks. Also used to use the portable Sat Phone in flight to calk home and ops, all taken care of. But that was a different time.

Well, patching an HF call through Stockholm radio to the Mrs to let her know you're going to be late for dinner - that used to get the bean counters attention apparently!

Those were the days.... I forgot about that. Yep been in the office for no tea or biccys once or twice a long time ago for that. hehehe

the sort who invites the crew out for dinner and expects the CC to split the bill evenly to help pay for that expensive Bordeaux you ordered.

"fond" memories of Leipzig ca 1994. I remember. "Anyone want a glass of wine?", not really, but seeing as you are offering..oh wait, he wasn't really.. CA now, and will absolutely never do it.

offer to buy someone a drink?

not sure if /s. I always buy, and hate people that buy expensive things and insist we split.

There are some expenses that are your responsibility at your home base. There are others that are part of your work "life". A mobile phone with data that works within your sphere of operation is a work tool, increasingly so as we move towards an ever digital cockpit.

We have sat phone onboard to use, aircraft wifi, FBO wifi, a mobile phone with a global roaming and data facility. We select the tool that's cheapest, given the time constraints, to get the job done. Funnily enough, everyone is very sensible about it and it's not abused. Treat crews with respect and that gets returned in every facet of the operation.