Oh that I could join you in your ideal world.
They'll find a way to RTB alright; just wouldn't put money on any degree of urgency in that recovery (especially with a couple of duty clerks valiantly ringing round the prime, secondary and tertiary contact numbers - even with a cascade system this can easily break down). Bus counts as public transport - we get one a week in my rural village, and it doesn't go where I want it to go; hitchhiking - wouldn't count on it in the depths of Winter; mate's car - might be going to Leeming when you want to go to Marham (and he might not want to go anywhere at all if he's a civilian).
I've seen the scenario on a relatively small scale (and listened to some imaginative excuses from late returners).
So, sorry that you don't buy that, but I don't buy that you don't buy my not buying that - and never pooh-pooh another man's pooh-pooh... (sorry, Blackadder)
Mister B