nationwide pagers

kenworthangel · Aug 4, 2003

I'm preparing to drive with Panther II and I need to either rent or purchase a nationwide pager. I'm not having much luck finding anything on the internet about pagers. Can anyone suggest where I might obtain info on pagers?..websites or such would be much appreciated...

Thank you,
Kenworthangel

RichM · Aug 4, 2003

Pagers are pretty much history these days.I don!t know how Panther dispatches loads but most dispatchers want and need an answer ASAP. They may very well bypass you in order to talk to someone direct on their cell phone. Cell phones are relatively cheap and as long as you disipline your self to stay on your plan and not chat the night away,you will probably be ahead of the game. Just make sure you get a package that includes nationwide long distance and roaming. Good Luck

Lawrence · Aug 4, 2003

KW,

It was my understanding that the nationwide paging companies went south with the explosion of Cellular phones.

You could pick-up an AT&T Cell phone for $29 and a nationwide plan for about $39 a month.

The old pagers were $199 + $49 a month.

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

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Dreamer · Aug 4, 2003

Panther does still have that requirement, I have talked to several drivers who use Cue.

Here's a link:

http://www.atlascomm.net/nationwide.asp

I investigated them once before... they claim 95% coverage of USA.

Dreamer

kenworthangel · Aug 4, 2003

Thank you for your help on this...I do have a cell phone which will be the main source of communication between dispatcher and driver but I'm told Panther still requires a pager at this time...I went to the website offered and hope to find out something there...Thanks again...

Kenworthangel

davekc · Aug 4, 2003

We are with Panther and you don't always need a pager. If you have a cell phone it must have pager capabilities. In otherwords, it must accept text messages. Hope this helps.

OntarioVanMan · Aug 6, 2003

I have a pager I no longer use! Dynamex made me get it till the satalite was installed. In Canada, They're called a Flex-15 ( frequency 15 )and had to order it thru Bell Mobility about 50 bucks Canadian 35 U.S.
Worked fine all over the place! Now it's just an expensive alarm clock! HA!

coldstart · Aug 6, 2003

Panther will set you up with one at orientation. About $100.00 to start with which is good for 3 months, then $20.00 per month. I think those numbers are correct. I'm with the other guys, outdated technology but panther will not dispatch you without one they say..

harpo · Sep 22, 2003

I was with Panther II until recently. At the time I was hired, everyone was required to have a pager. Today, they have been largely replaced by cell phones, this and they became associated with drug trade. Either way, pagers have become difficult to find. Panther will steer you to Archer, the company which provides them service. You may ask for their number or address. What i would recommend once you have it, if you run Canada at all, and it has almost become mandatory that you do working for Panther II , is upgrading your coverage to include Canada. Archer provides this additional coverage for a nominal charge above what you would otherwise pay for monthly service, but this will also improve your coverage here stateside. Believe me, it is worth paying the difference. If you don't request Canada coverage you will find that once you cross the border, your pager will no longer work. Regarding Panther II, I can't say a bad thing about them. They treated me well over the years.

Weave · Sep 27, 2003

Harpo referred to it as Archer, it is called Arch paging. I have one of these as my cell phone backup, and by God, it's the first paging system I have had that actually works! It's $30 a month, and the pagers themselves don't drink batteries. AVOID Cue pagers- they are horrible! Won't work if a fly so much as crosses it's path- they try to work on FM radio towers. The Arch pager is about the best pager around, and this advice is from a lot of trial and error

-Weave-

Wild Bill · Sep 29, 2003

I am afraid they are right. My pager has went to the celetrial truckstop in the sky. I can't get it replaced.

I don't really want a cell phone but soon it appears I won't have a choice.

I am about half afraid to get one. I have heard horror stories about every cell phone company out there. Appears to me that the people who used to sell used cars now sell cell phones! You are told one thing about coverage, pricing...etc and three months later you are billed double what you was told!

And with my lousy credit it makes it worse. Everyone wants $2000.00 as a deposit (which I understand why) And the prepaid ones have pricing that would make a truckstop blush in shame!

I wonder if I can get a good deal on some carrier pigeons......:+

RichM · Sep 29, 2003

Well think about this for a minute,a cell phone could save your life someday,a pager can!t.. Nuff Said

Wild Bill · Sep 29, 2003

Unless you are in a dead cell :+

Dreamer · Sep 29, 2003

RE: nationwide pagers(and cell phones!)

Hey Wild Bill,

I went with Sprint PCS and feel I got a decent deal and coverage.

My deposit was $125, I understand the HIGHEST is $250, the base phone was free, but I upgraded for $49.00 and got the color screen PCS internet ready model. Next for me is the Camera phone

For $45.00 I get 500 anytime, unlimited night and weekend minutes, Free Nationwide long distance anywhere on their network.

I added unlimited Internet for $10.00 extra.. which gives me Mobile browser with email, access to weather anywhere I'm at, etc.

It's worked out good so far, and while I haven't been out of the Midwest with it, I understand from others with it, that it works well outside this area.

I was checking into prepaids, especially for my teenage daughter, and the good old Tracfone seemed to be the simplest, easiest deal for her needs. I would have just gotten her another Sprint, but .. she talks more than me, and something without a set limit would not do for her.

Dreamer

[font color="blue"]Disclaimer: The above ramblings are just the opinions of one grouchy long haired ol fart, and as such, should not be taken as a compensated endorsement... 'cause nobody gave me any money!![/font]

Wild Bill · Sep 30, 2003

RE: nationwide pagers(and cell phones!)

>Hey Wild Bill,
>
>I went with Sprint PCS and feel I got a decent deal and
>coverage.
>
>My deposit was $125, I understand the HIGHEST is $250, the
>base phone was free, but I upgraded for $49.00 and got the
>color screen PCS internet ready model. Next for me is the
>Camera phone

>
>
>For $45.00 I get 500 anytime, unlimited night and weekend
>minutes, Free Nationwide long distance anywhere on their
>network.
>
>I added unlimited Internet for $10.00 extra.. which gives me
>Mobile browser with email, access to weather anywhere I'm
>at, etc.
>
>It's worked out good so far, and while I haven't been out of
>the Midwest with it, I understand from others with it, that
>it works well outside this area.
>
>
>I was checking into prepaids, especially for my teenage
>daughter, and the good old Tracfone seemed to be the
>simplest, easiest deal for her needs. I would have just
>gotten her another Sprint, but .. she talks more than me,
>and something without a set limit would not do for her.
>
>
>Dreamer

Thanks Dreamer I might check it out. I am not really thrilled with the idea of a cell phone. We had one of the owners for a month one time and the bloody thing kept ringing! We didn't give out the number but that blasted device known as caller ID x( gave it out.

I guess I should get with the times. maybe I can get one that plays the Mexican hat dance....lol