Some thoughts

My daughter got stuck in Chicago a few days ago, and then her iPhone decided to stop working. Thankfully, she had her company-issued American Airlines tablet to stay in touch with them. She had to take a cab from the hotel to the nearest phone store and buy a new phone. She was already upset about having to work that Chicago flight, but losing her iPhone pushed her over the edge.

I’ve always believed in keeping a spare device, just like I did years ago with my CB radio. This isn’t about debating the best wireless carrier. My point is, if you’re away from home for an extended period, like most OTR truckers, having a backup phone just makes sense. From what I’ve learned, Verizon unlocks SIM locks on their new phones after 60 days due to an FCC rule that AT&T and T-Mobile are still contesting. In the EU, carriers aren’t allowed to SIM lock phones. Most iPhones sold in the U.S. can work on any network once the SIM lock is removed. Since I only use iPhones, I’m not sure about other devices.

My daughter is coming over later this morning, so I’m planning to take her old iPhone to an Apple-authorized repair shop and give her my old iPhone XR as a backup.

I’ve shared this advice before, but it’s worth repeating: having a phone that works on any network and isn’t SIM-locked allows you to switch carriers almost anywhere without needing to buy a new phone. I highly recommend that anyone who travels for work keep one.

 

Hard to believe, we trucked for YEARS without one, but nobody else had one either.. I don't think you can live without one today, everything is so time oriented, it's actually scary to see how dependent we are on those. I saw a program on recycling, one facility had palletainers FULL of old cell phones lined up, most ground up for the materials. I think the only way to solve our distracted driving crisis, is some gizmo that makes the phone inoperative when moving, because it's certainly here to stay. Distracted driving has outpaced DUI and that's a trend that won't go away anytime soon.

 

Not to mention there's no such thing as a payphone anymore. If your phone quits working you're kinda screwed.

 

Good points. I can say out here trying to find your own loads, if you lose email access and internet, your effed. I keep a spare phone, but honestly don't even know what I need to do to make it work.

Kinda like having a bit of cash. My bank locked up my debit card last year, and I didn't know it till I went to pay for a scale ticket. I had 200$ cash, and I don't have a credit card.

900 miles ffom home, I had to unload the next morning and deadhead home to resolve it.

 

My spare IPhone 12 in the truck

Only reason it’s a spare because I hate it..like my IPhone #8.

Too bad for your daughter, my buddy was in Chicago all weekend. He flies a private Gulfstream for NASCAR. A really nice guy, he could have helped her out..maybe even get her a better job.

 

"Gizmo" haven't heard that word in many moons.

commonplace about 50 or 60 yrs ago.

 

Just put the SIM card from the old into the new and that’s about it. Unless your spare is locked by a different carrier.

 

I appreciate this thread. I think I need to follow the advice.

 

She has too many years with American to quit now. I think she is fully vested in the retirement now. She was able to work a flight to Dallas, then over to Charlotte. We got home about an hour ago. She is in the kitchen making some lunch right now. We are going to eat out tonight. Of course, I have some recent photos of Bethany! Poppy is happy!

 

She is your world, I can tell and I’m envious.

My daughter hates me