"I ask again: Walk me through the disadvantages of activating an ELT or PLB and transmitting a MAYDAY on Area."
Goodness, Lead Balloon.. Please consider the RPT aluminium confetti that may result from such an irresponsible action!
My thought for those hiring GA aircraft and going on remote trips is simply this: Don't trust that the aircraft ELT actually works. So perhaps carry your own 406 MHz PLB(s) registered to AMSA? They are very cheap, these days.