Saved a life: A second non-functioning Cell Phone

MikeGoob · November 10, 2010, 06:45 PM

This cab driver was kidnapped and put in his own trunk. He had a second cell phone and was able to call 911 while the perp was transporting him.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/28...110910.article

The article doesnt describe it, but I suspect that he had a non active cell phone hidden just in case. By law every cell has to be able to still call 911 at all times, so keeping it paid up is not a concern.

Pretty cool.

Slopemeno · November 10, 2010, 07:59 PM

Or a "hobby phone". Y'know.

TheGoldenState · November 10, 2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

By law every cell has to be able to still call 911 at all times, so keeping it paid up is not a concern.

Really? I didn't know that. Good!

MerleApAmber · November 10, 2010, 08:27 PM

Yep, we too have taken to keeping spare inactive phones charged around the house and cars as 911 links.

boredom · November 10, 2010, 08:29 PM

keep one in the house and car just incase. i think by law since the late 90s they must be 911 capable.

WANT A LCR 22LR · November 10, 2010, 11:13 PM

The 911 access holds true for land lines too.

Not all cell phones have 911 access, the older analog ones are no longer suported in any capacity.

bigghoss · November 10, 2010, 11:35 PM

good to know because I keep my old phone next to my bed and use it for an alarm clock

MikeGoob · November 11, 2010, 11:49 AM

Yep. The only concern is keeping it charged so it can make the call when needed.

WANT A LCR 22LR · November 11, 2010, 06:30 PM

A couple of ways to check service.

Is the NS light on? ( No Service )

Try and make a call to a regular number, if there is a recording that the service isn't current there is a good chance 911 will work.

The last test could be a call to 911 and start the conversation with " This IS NOT a emergency " then state you are testing that 911 works on a non current phone. However it might be better to cann the non emergency 911 number.

It might also be a good idea to find out if 911 can return a call in case you get disconnected in a real emergency.

November 10, 2010, 06:45 PM	#1
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 736	Saved a life: A second non-functioning Cell Phone This cab driver was kidnapped and put in his own trunk. He had a second cell phone and was able to call 911 while the perp was transporting him. http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/28...110910.article The article doesnt describe it, but I suspect that he had a non active cell phone hidden just in case. By law every cell has to be able to still call 911 at all times, so keeping it paid up is not a concern. Pretty cool.

November 10, 2010, 11:35 PM	#7
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,623	good to know because I keep my old phone next to my bed and use it for an alarm clock __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

November 10, 2010, 07:59 PM	#2
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,110	Or a "hobby phone". Y'know.

November 10, 2010, 08:27 PM	#4
MerleApAmber Member Join Date: September 20, 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 23	Yep, we too have taken to keeping spare inactive phones charged around the house and cars as 911 links.

November 10, 2010, 08:29 PM	#5
boredom Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 135	keep one in the house and car just incase. i think by law since the late 90s they must be 911 capable.

November 10, 2010, 11:13 PM	#6
WANT A LCR 22LR Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Posts: 389	The 911 access holds true for land lines too. Not all cell phones have 911 access, the older analog ones are no longer suported in any capacity.

November 11, 2010, 11:49 AM	#8
MikeGoob Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2006 Posts: 736	Yep. The only concern is keeping it charged so it can make the call when needed.

November 11, 2010, 06:30 PM	#9
WANT A LCR 22LR Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2010 Posts: 389	A couple of ways to check service. Is the NS light on? ( No Service ) Try and make a call to a regular number, if there is a recording that the service isn't current there is a good chance 911 will work. The last test could be a call to 911 and start the conversation with " This IS NOT a emergency " then state you are testing that 911 works on a non current phone. However it might be better to cann the non emergency 911 number. It might also be a good idea to find out if 911 can return a call in case you get disconnected in a real emergency.