Well if their engines conk out or they run out fuel trying to find a heading that takes them away from the island, would you rather be in a ship without fuel or a plane without fuel? If there is a storm, would you rather be in a watertight, solid steel or titanium-hulled submarine meant to withstand water pressure, or a thin-skinned plane, designed to be as lightweight as possible to fight gravity? Which one has more survival goods on board? A submarine outfitted for a clandestine voyage carrying a large force of people for a dangerous operation, or an airliner intended to be out for one night flight? Which one is more likely to have the data necesary for a non-expert to get clear of the island, the sub that came on purpose, or the plane that came by accident (whatever 90% of the passengers appear to have intended)?



Maybe. It can't be TOO hard for reasonably intelligent people to point it in the right direction. Especially when the right direction is "any place that is not this island." Don't forget, they aren't looking to infiltrate enemy waters or blockade a great naval power, they are looking to get to where civilized people can find them. I doubt a strange submarine cruising along on the surface of the Pacific can pass unnoticed for long. Between satelites and the US Navy, someone is sure to locate and investigate them before too long, and how hard can it be to head east on the ocean, so you are more likely to run into Americans than commies (and you might have a couple of Korean translators with you)?