the final solution
Keep International RESCUE on alert. AS soon as someone doesn't ''check in'' on a new freq, off goes Thunderbird 1 to intercept.
AND THEN, and here is the big one. CHARGE THE PILOTS the fuel bill. All pilots must have a credit card on file with International Rescue and UPON LAUNCH are billed.
Should it be a real problem, Thunderbird 2 can be scrambled shortly thereafter and the pilots won't be charged.
BUT if all Thunderbird 1 has to do is wake up the pilots...MONEY.
TB1 will never be launched with the MONEY hanging over cheap pilots!