You are not well informed. In many areas in Australia the high level airlines are on an " area " frequency that is not marked on charts. The system is a complete stuff up.
Even if that is true, Dick, when I am in a place where it is true:
- the 'high level airlines' will hear my beacon on 121.5
- anyone else within range at lower levels will hear my MAYDAY on Area, and
- those MEOSAR satellites will hear my beacon on 406 and relay the GPS position info.
You seem to be advocating putting all your emergency eggs in one basket: MAYDAY on 121.5. I prefer to use every available tool (and still have the option to broadcast a MAYDAY on 121.5).
Charles Darwin will sort out who's right and who's wrong.
(Don't try to bring logic into this, Buzz.
)