How did you work this?

[tammy_sheldon 1]

Hey all...I was looking for some advice. I just thought about how when my fiance flys over, once he gets in American his Digicel phone won't work. He has a layover in NY before he gets to me in Portland, OR and we would like to make contact. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do? I thought about sending him a prepaid cell phone, too little too late though because he will leave before the postal mail will ever reach him. I'm worried if he has any questions or something goes wrong at the POE he won't have a way to call me... It won't be the end of the world if he has no phone, but it would be a lot more convenient. Is there a place in Jamaica to by a prepaid phone that will work in America? Or what did anyone else do? Thanks All!! I'm just so glad he will be here soon (Dec. 2)!!!

[nickbits 43]

I'm pretty sure air ports still have pay phones.

[tammy_sheldon 1]

lol..I thought of that, but it seems so outdated lol and I honestly can say that in all my times of flying I have never paid attention...that would work, just hope they still do

[Nik+Heather 121]

Here's what I did:

- I got a family plan, and mailed him a SIM card (he wanted to use his own cell when he got here)

- I begged and pleaded for updates like "Landed" "off the plane" "entering customs - turning off the phone" while I waited for him to emerge...

Here's what he did:

- He put the SIM into his wallet

- He forgot all about it until I mentioned it as we were leaving the airport together - "Oh yeah....let me put that in here"

I know you're excited and anxious, but he's going to have a LOT to do when he goes through POE, and he'll have a lot of things to think about and make sure he does already without trying to juggle an unfamiliar cell phone. It will be difficult and LONG for you because you have nothing to do at this point but fret, but he'll have a long list of things he needs to take care of - If he gets everything all sorted (not just customs, but checking in to his next flight and getting his bags re-checked, changing terminals? Going through security? Finding his gate? etc) and still has time to call you, the airport is one of the few places left in the world where there are still pay phones. It's probably cheaper for him to spend a dollar or two using one of them to give you a ring while he waits to board his domestic connection. Also, while he's traveling, no news is good news. If he misses his flight etc, he'll have lots of time to call....

Together soon! Hang in there!

[Star_boy 0]

Here's what I did:

- I got a family plan, and mailed him a SIM card (he wanted to use his own cell when he got here)

- I begged and pleaded for updates like "Landed" "off the plane" "entering customs - turning off the phone" while I waited for him to emerge...

Here's what he did:

- He put the SIM into his wallet

- He forgot all about it until I mentioned it as we were leaving the airport together - "Oh yeah....let me put that in here"

I know you're excited and anxious, but he's going to have a LOT to do when he goes through POE, and he'll have a lot of things to think about and make sure he does already without trying to juggle an unfamiliar cell phone. It will be difficult and LONG for you because you have nothing to do at this point but fret, but he'll have a long list of things he needs to take care of - If he gets everything all sorted (not just customs, but checking in to his next flight and getting his bags re-checked, changing terminals? Going through security? Finding his gate? etc) and still has time to call you, the airport is one of the few places left in the world where there are still pay phones. It's probably cheaper for him to spend a dollar or two using one of them to give you a ring while he waits to board his domestic connection. Also, while he's traveling, no news is good news. If he misses his flight etc, he'll have lots of time to call....

Together soon! Hang in there!

Edited November 1, 2010 by Star_boy

[tammy_sheldon 1]

Thanks Nic+Heather, you just made me smile and put me at ease. That sounds like something my fiance would do! I know he will be busy it's just hard not knowing...but you make some very good points. I will be a mess that day I'm sure, but you're right...no news will be good news...(However, my wondering crazy mind is great at thinking of all the What if's? that might be going wrong..lol). But, I will take your advice and try to have patience lol

[Star_boy 0]

Hey all...I was looking for some advice. I just thought about how when my fiance flys over, once he gets in American his Digicel phone won't work. He has a layover in NY before he gets to me in Portland, OR and we would like to make contact. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do? I thought about sending him a prepaid cell phone, too little too late though because he will leave before the postal mail will ever reach him. I'm worried if he has any questions or something goes wrong at the POE he won't have a way to call me... It won't be the end of the world if he has no phone, but it would be a lot more convenient. Is there a place in Jamaica to by a prepaid phone that will work in America? Or what did anyone else do? Thanks All!! I'm just so glad he will be here soon (Dec. 2)!!!

Hey Tammy_Sheldon, Digicel Prepaid phone can work in the US. If your relative has a phone which support AT&T or T-mobile frequency bands, then his phone will be able to work because Digicel, T-mobile, & AT&T are GSM wireless carriers. I'd advice you to ask him to put enough credit on his phone, because if he's out of Jamaica it's considered Roaming and roaming chargers are really expensive. I'm speaking from experience because i too had a Digicel phone when i came to the US and it worked.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Had replied to now edited post...

Edited November 1, 2010 by Nik+Heather

[tammy_sheldon 1]

Hey thanks...yeah he has an iphone, So that's awesome news!!! I will tell him to make sure he has plenty of credit on it, and hope that works. My biggest concern is he's never flown before and hes flying into JFK, which can be completely intimidating for one who's never flown. I know he can just ask someone for help too! But, it's just nice to have a back up plan if he needs to call for ANY reason. So, if he puts credit on the phone its there just in case, but I will still try to take Nik+Heather advice and be patient cuz I do realize that if he's not having any major problems where he needs to call me, he might not have time for simple updtes. However, depending on immigration he has a 4 hour layover...

Thanks Again Guys, I really appreciate all the help and advice I get on here! It makes EVERYTHING a lot less stressful knowing others have been through it all and it has been ok

Edited November 1, 2010 by tammy_sheldon

[sus 70]

His cell phone will definitely work in NY - My Digicel phone works here - But the cost is astronomical, so tell him to text, not call - And he will pay charges if you call him, because he will be roaming.

[tammy_sheldon 1]

Thanks Again! All this info. is very helpful!

[MIKE AND FEY 0]

Hey all...I was looking for some advice. I just thought about how when my fiance flys over, once he gets in American his Digicel phone won't work. He has a layover in NY before he gets to me in Portland, OR and we would like to make contact. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do? I thought about sending him a prepaid cell phone, too little too late though because he will leave before the postal mail will ever reach him. I'm worried if he has any questions or something goes wrong at the POE he won't have a way to call me... It won't be the end of the world if he has no phone, but it would be a lot more convenient. Is there a place in Jamaica to by a prepaid phone that will work in America? Or what did anyone else do? Thanks All!! I'm just so glad he will be here soon (Dec. 2)!!!

I had the same concern so I made sure I had a lot of quarters and viola I used a pay phone at the Charlotte Airport Not the best quality call but I was able to let my now hubby know I was doing ok and I was 45 min. flight time away from him. Take care and best wishes with your new life

Fey

[acrow 0]

Congrats! I am in Portland, too. Anyway, pay phones have worked for me in the past...it is by far the easiest option...

[jamerican 2]

Hey Tammy_Sheldon, Digicel Prepaid phone can work in the US. If your relative has a phone which support AT&T or T-mobile frequency bands, then his phone will be able to work because Digicel, T-mobile, & AT&T are GSM wireless carriers. I'd advice you to ask him to put enough credit on his phone, because if he's out of Jamaica it's considered Roaming and roaming chargers are really expensive. I'm speaking from experience because i too had a Digicel phone when i came to the US and it worked.

It may work on the east coast but out here in the pacific NW...it nah work

Tammy I have the same concerns as you do and have thought of sending a prepaid phone down when I mail the last bunch of papers via fed x this week for our interview next week. My concerns with that are #1-will he get charged duty fee's for it & #2 will it get crushed because it will be in one of those mailing envelopes....hmmm

Oh and BTW, I sent you a message re linking up since both our guys are from JA and here in Portland there aren't many....Let me know what you think Acrow doesn't have time for mi,...she too busy traveling and living the life in JAMAICA with hubby and babies

Edited November 1, 2010 by jamerican

[bajankutie 4]

Thanks Nic+Heather, you just made me smile and put me at ease. That sounds like something my fiance would do! I know he will be busy it's just hard not knowing...but you make some very good points. I will be a mess that day I'm sure, but you're right...no news will be good news...(However, my wondering crazy mind is great at thinking of all the What if's? that might be going wrong..lol). But, I will take your advice and try to have patience lol

I got hubby a cellphone plan from her and when I went down for the interview I gave it to him.