In the sim we often get crews who want to launch into a Mayday or Pan speech about 10 seconds after the failure is introduced.
I tell 'em the guy on the ground is of no immediate use, so fly the
aircraft first, do the memory items next and then decide what they need to tell ATC and the cabin crew. What is the problem? No performance or systems issues? Say very little and choose you words carefully......see below.
Fire, now under control? Say more - Pan or Mayday, whatever you think fits the occasion.
Fire not under control or serious degradation of flight control or flight path? Mayday.
In the grand scheme of things either a Pan or Mayday gets a similar response from ATC. They call out the emergency services and set you up for priority in the approach sequence.
The anoraks on the perimeter fence hear every word and relay all to the media. The airline's name is up there on the TV screens before the aircraft has landed.
If the subsequent enquiry reckons you over-reacted, tea and bickies time.