Landline phones in timeshare units

[mpumilia Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpumilia]

I actually use the card for all the calls I make from my home landline as well. I only pay $6.00 per month to have the landline. I do not pay for my cellphone as it is a work phone, but it doesn't work well in the boon docks where I live. My husband has a $10 per month cell phone that stays at $10 as long as we don't go through the allotted minutes. He keeps that one in his car. He rarely, if ever uses it. Again, coverage is spotty where we live. I rarely call anyone anyway. I am sick of talking to people after working all day. The few people I ever call don't use Facetime and neither do I.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Guess the smilie I used was invalid.

[JudyS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JudyS]

Having a landline probably saved my life last year. If the ambulance had taken even an extra minute to get to me, I probably would have died in the ER. (I was bleeding internally, a LOT.) If you call 911 on a landline, they immediately know exactly where you are. I wouldn't want to be searching for my phone, finding out it had a dead battery, etc. when I or a loved one needed help right away.

I also like landlines because they have better sound quality. And, unlike VOIP, they rarely fail during power outages. My DH, who has worked as a radio engineer, says that landlines are more reliable than cell phones in power outages, too. Even if your phone is charged, your local cell tower may lose power.

When I was young, I worked as telephone operator. There was no 911 in those days. If you needed an ambulance, you'd dial "0" for the Operator. I remember a 911 call from a panic-stricken person who had no idea where they were. (This was a vacation area.) I can see a problem where someone needs an ambulance and all they can say is, "We're at a Marriott timeshare in Orlando." Triangulation will probably give a general idea of where the person is, but a landline gives a more precise location.

I actually use the card for all the calls I make from my home landline as well. I only pay $6.00 per month to have the landline. I do not pay for my cellphone as it is a work phone, but it doesn't work well in the boon docks where I live....

wow, I wish I could get a landline for $6! This is in my old hometown of Pine Bush, correct? Who is the phone company there these days?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

On third thought, it is probably a good idea for Lodging establishments to keep landlines in each room/unit. It would seem to be the best way to allow for communication between the office and guests and guests and other guests.

In the event of an emergency, direct dial 911 is also important:

http://nationswell.com/karis-law-mak...sier-dial-911/

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

Judy, a fire truck and ambulance came to our house last week about 11:30, the problem was we never called. I asked if they were looking for our address on Apple Buttter, and they said where is apple butter, and they went to the next cul de sac. I am going to ask my neighbor if they called on a land line or cell. you want to talk about a delay, going to the wrong house really wastes time.

[mpumilia Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpumilia]

Having a landline probably saved my life last year. If the ambulance had taken even an extra minute to get to me, I probably would have died in the ER. (I was bleeding internally, a LOT.) If you call 911 on a landline, they immediately know exactly where you are. I wouldn't want to be searching for my phone, finding out it had a dead battery, etc. when I or a loved one needed help right away.

I also like landlines because they have better sound quality. And, unlike VOIP, they rarely fail during power outages. My DH, who has worked as a radio engineer, says that landlines are more reliable than cell phones in power outages, too. Even if your phone is charged, your local cell tower may lose power.

When I was young, I worked as telephone operator. There was no 911 in those days. If you needed an ambulance, you'd dial "0" for the Operator. I remember a 911 call from a panic-stricken person who had no idea where they were. (This was a vacation area.) I can see a problem where someone needs an ambulance and all they can say is, "We're at a Marriott timeshare in Orlando." Triangulation will probably give a general idea of where the person is, but a landline gives a more precise location.

wow, I wish I could get a landline for $6! This is in my old hometown of Pine Bush, correct? Who is the phone company there these days?

I don't think this is true if you have an unlisted number like I do in terms of them knowing where you are. And, yes, Pine Bush. II have a very basic plan like I explained and use a calling card for most of the calls. The company is Frontier, which we have our DSL service with as well. Plus, our security system runs through the phone line.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

The unlisted number and calling 911 shouldn't be an issue.

From a 911 FAQ:
Enhanced 911 Centers employ technology far beyond that available to the general public such as “Caller ID”. In fact even if you have an unlisted number or caller ID block, when you call 911 we still get your information. Furthermore, if you ever have a true emergency and dial 911, even if you hang up before the phone rings we will still get the information.

[mpumilia Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mpumilia]

The unlisted number and calling 911 shouldn't be an issue.

From a 911 FAQ:
Enhanced 911 Centers employ technology far beyond that available to the general public such as “Caller ID”. In fact even if you have an unlisted number or caller ID block, when you call 911 we still get your information. Furthermore, if you ever have a true emergency and dial 911, even if you hang up before the phone rings we will still get the information.

Good to know. With our regular calls we always have to hit *82 for some establishments/homes that will not accept calls from unlisted numbers.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

Another little bit of info, sometimes if the police, hospital/clinic call, they will sometimes use blocked or unlisted numbers. I had a call confirming a doctor's appointment, the number was 'restricted' and the police have called me with a number of 000-0000.

[rickyhanson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rickyhanson]

I'm a cell phone only user for about 12 years now, landline free at home, but I use the phone in the timeshare units to call the front desk for any maintenance issue or if I need something brought to the unit, so I am glad they are there.

The timeshare companies are going to probably want to keep them so they can call you to ask you to come to the free breakfast and presentations. I almost always get one or two calls into the unit for those.

If it saves a significant amount on annual fees, I would say get rid of them, but if it's only a little, then I think having the landline for an emergency would be well worth the cost.