John T wrote:

No, but the rationale is that if you're already on frequency with flight
following, you will be closer to the IFR stats than the VFR flight plan
stats.

Perhaps. What does ATC upon losing RADAR contact with an IFR? What about
when it loses RADAR contact with a VFR getting advisories?

I don't know the answers, so I'm hoping one of our resident controllers
pipes up. But it is at least possible that a lost IFR contact gets a lot
more attention.

Of course, if the pilot manages to squeeze out a "mayday", you're right.
But I don't know how often this is the case, or how often it is the case
where a pilot cannot manage to call for help on guard.

BTW, why don't radios have a button to press to get guard immediately, akin
to NRST on a GPS? I seem to recall that some CB radios had those, Back
When.

Curiously...

Andrew