I had a company try to hire me internationally. This was on the strength of a close friend's internal reference and persistence over months. I wasn't looking. A

I had a company try to hire me internationally. This was on the strength of a close friend's internal reference and persistence over months. I wasn't looking. After some phone calls with their senior management I finally agreed to travel to an interview and they agree verbally to pay travel expenses. When I was half-way there - having put substantial money down to fly internationally with a family of three - they cancelled the interview and backed out. No apology. Killed the friendship.