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Welcome to Flightinfo.com
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- Modern secure site, no 3rd party apps required
- Invite your friends
- Share the passion of aviation
- Friendliest aviation community on the web
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2003
- Posts
- 1,178
Lucky
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2002
- Posts
- 51
I have a verizon now and have had no trouble. My old nextel used to drop alot of calls. crappy reception and poor sound quality. The push to talk with verizon doesnt look to exciting yet. especially since most verizon plans offer 1000 mobile to mobile minutes or unlimited mobile to mobile if they are all on the same family plan.
Timebuilder
Entrepreneur
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 4,625
I'm switching to Verizon next month, when my AT&T digital one rate service contract runs out. On the 24th of november, our cell numbers become "ours".
The Verizon "freedom all" package includes home hard wire service, local and long distance service, DSL, and cell phone service that rivals my AT&T cell service, all for the SAME PRICE that I currently pay for 1200 day minutes from AT&T.
I could never use a Nextel phone. That "beeping" drives me crazy.
The Verizon "freedom all" package includes home hard wire service, local and long distance service, DSL, and cell phone service that rivals my AT&T cell service, all for the SAME PRICE that I currently pay for 1200 day minutes from AT&T.
I could never use a Nextel phone. That "beeping" drives me crazy.
treetop flyer
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 125
Verizon
I have used a number of cell providers (AT&T, Etc) and I like Verizon the best. The customer support is excellent, and I like the handset choices. I really like seeing the technology emerge in cell phones and I think Verizon has done a good job keeping up with new equipment and services.
Just my .02...Good luck with your choice and fly safe.
TF
I have used a number of cell providers (AT&T, Etc) and I like Verizon the best. The customer support is excellent, and I like the handset choices. I really like seeing the technology emerge in cell phones and I think Verizon has done a good job keeping up with new equipment and services.
Just my .02...Good luck with your choice and fly safe.
TF
I'm looking at Verizon. I have AT&T, which is absolutely terrible. I'm on the verge of going postal on an AT&T call center, presently, and looking forward to it with warm, tender thoughts.
Instead, I purchased a Sprint phone, and having had it less than the 14 day trial period, am in the process of being raped...I'm on the phone right this second with them, in fact. Having purchased the phone and wanting to cancel within the 14 days, they're wanting to charge me several hundred bucks for a few days or service. Their answer when told I'll refuse to pay? Simply that it will show up on credit. No accountability for misrepresentation or falsification.
Going postal never looked so good.
Instead, I purchased a Sprint phone, and having had it less than the 14 day trial period, am in the process of being raped...I'm on the phone right this second with them, in fact. Having purchased the phone and wanting to cancel within the 14 days, they're wanting to charge me several hundred bucks for a few days or service. Their answer when told I'll refuse to pay? Simply that it will show up on credit. No accountability for misrepresentation or falsification.
Going postal never looked so good.
Hovernut
Home Based Again!
- Joined
- May 7, 2002
- Posts
- 720
Verizon
Had ATT digital one rate back in the late 90s and loved it then, but made enough money not to worry about the exorbanant price.
Had Sprint when I flight instructed at CAA (DCA) in Sanford, FL. It was the cheapest, and that's all I cared about. But, the crappy service and dropped calls finally caused me to switch.
Been with Verizon since I started at Comair. Works fine at all the outstations and places I've nonrevved to. Had some problems at LGA, and cust serv. added a couple hundred minutes a month to my contract for the rest of its run to compensate me for the hassle. Got the phone re-programmed at the local store and it worked fine last time at LGA. Now I have the extra free minutes AND a properly working phone thanks to their good customer service. I get a $100 credit next summer to upgrade to a newer phone, too!!
With a lot of my buddies on Veizon, the 1000 mobile-to-mobile works great to save prime minutes, too!
Had ATT digital one rate back in the late 90s and loved it then, but made enough money not to worry about the exorbanant price.
Had Sprint when I flight instructed at CAA (DCA) in Sanford, FL. It was the cheapest, and that's all I cared about. But, the crappy service and dropped calls finally caused me to switch.
Been with Verizon since I started at Comair. Works fine at all the outstations and places I've nonrevved to. Had some problems at LGA, and cust serv. added a couple hundred minutes a month to my contract for the rest of its run to compensate me for the hassle. Got the phone re-programmed at the local store and it worked fine last time at LGA. Now I have the extra free minutes AND a properly working phone thanks to their good customer service. I get a $100 credit next summer to upgrade to a newer phone, too!!
With a lot of my buddies on Veizon, the 1000 mobile-to-mobile works great to save prime minutes, too!
dondk
Don't you wish
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 887
I have had Nextel for about 4 years now...
The older phones occassionally dropped calls, the newer one's I have yet to have a dropped call.
Going to Canada I have seen many crew members bitch that there phones do not work, Nextel does...
The only place so far I have found it not to work is BGR, then again most others did not work either.
Downside.. phones are expensive, at least until Verizon becomes a true competitor in the radio market. ATT and Sprint should have radio phones out soon too to get those prices even further down.
Additionally, no upgrades on phones, you have to buy a whole new one when you want to upgrade. Although newbies get great deals on phones.
I use to work for Verizon years ago.. Back then they were worthless, but they have come a long way by buying up the competition one phone company at a time.
Nextel is slowly moving to GSM (european standars If I am right). Anyway in the next year or so Nextel coverage will be as good as anyone's elses. All cell phones will be at or near to GSM standards. The differences then will be the bells and whistles.
Nextel does upgrade software about quarterly, which eliminates much of the problems/issues with the phone.
Customer service could be better, but they are night and day from what they were 4 years ago.
Billing error's, not too common, but if you do find one they credit your bill without argument and usually throw a bit more to say they are sorry.
I am not against Verizon, I know they have great quality control and really push the metropolitan markets on coverage. They spend ton's of money on making sure they have decent coverage
The older phones occassionally dropped calls, the newer one's I have yet to have a dropped call.
Going to Canada I have seen many crew members bitch that there phones do not work, Nextel does...
The only place so far I have found it not to work is BGR, then again most others did not work either.
Downside.. phones are expensive, at least until Verizon becomes a true competitor in the radio market. ATT and Sprint should have radio phones out soon too to get those prices even further down.
Additionally, no upgrades on phones, you have to buy a whole new one when you want to upgrade. Although newbies get great deals on phones.
I use to work for Verizon years ago.. Back then they were worthless, but they have come a long way by buying up the competition one phone company at a time.
Nextel is slowly moving to GSM (european standars If I am right). Anyway in the next year or so Nextel coverage will be as good as anyone's elses. All cell phones will be at or near to GSM standards. The differences then will be the bells and whistles.
Nextel does upgrade software about quarterly, which eliminates much of the problems/issues with the phone.
Customer service could be better, but they are night and day from what they were 4 years ago.
Billing error's, not too common, but if you do find one they credit your bill without argument and usually throw a bit more to say they are sorry.
I am not against Verizon, I know they have great quality control and really push the metropolitan markets on coverage. They spend ton's of money on making sure they have decent coverage
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MSNFlier
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 118
nextel...
I have used Nextel since about August of 1999. The reason I initially went with them was that they had a National Business Plan where there were no roaming or long distance charges anywhere you could get a Nextel signal (no one else had that kind of deal then - you were always wondering whether you were roaming, or not). That was the problem, of course. In 1999, Nextel's coverage was pretty much limited to major metropolitan areas (DC, here where I live in Madison, WI, Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, etc.).
Today, their coverage appears to be much better, with most cities of decent size (say...10,000 to 15,000 or more) having coverage, interstate highways having completely solid signals, even between hills, etc. Also, they seem to be pretty good about addressing signal gaps, as I have found a few when they start up coverage in a new area and then later find the gap filled.
Over the 4-plus years I've used them, I have had dropped call issues only once, but it was understandable. It was in Miami Beach when I was down there for a meeting during President's Day weekend, the Miami Boat Show (think: NBAA for boats) and the Coconut Grove Art Show. You couldn't get a room in all of the Miami area, much less get onto Miami Beach. What a circus.
One other thing I was told about dropped calls is that you have to make sure you stop in to a Nextel authorized dealer to get your phone software upgraded about twice a year. They do it for free and it takes about five minutes. Related to this, I have found their customer service to be decent, too.
I imagine your decision ultimately will come down to coverage areas. If you anticipate being in rural areas regularly, then get Verizon because it's unlikely that you'll get a consistent service in those areas from Nextel. I think Verizon uses tri-mode phones that include analog (the original cell signal), as well as digital. I would recommend Nextel if most (or all) of your calling will be from urban areas.
One last thing - although I don't use the Direct Connect (walkie-talkie thing) on Nextel much, it is nice and works FAR better than the Verizon deal, from what I understand. Nextel's entire system was designed with that feature integrated into it from the beginning, whereas Verizon, as I've read, has cobbled one together. I know a few people who have their whole family using Nextel (mom, dad, grown kids, etc.), because it's so much cheaper to use the DC deal - nationwide).
Hope this helped. Fly safe.
I have used Nextel since about August of 1999. The reason I initially went with them was that they had a National Business Plan where there were no roaming or long distance charges anywhere you could get a Nextel signal (no one else had that kind of deal then - you were always wondering whether you were roaming, or not). That was the problem, of course. In 1999, Nextel's coverage was pretty much limited to major metropolitan areas (DC, here where I live in Madison, WI, Milwaukee, Chicago, Minneapolis, etc.).
Today, their coverage appears to be much better, with most cities of decent size (say...10,000 to 15,000 or more) having coverage, interstate highways having completely solid signals, even between hills, etc. Also, they seem to be pretty good about addressing signal gaps, as I have found a few when they start up coverage in a new area and then later find the gap filled.
Over the 4-plus years I've used them, I have had dropped call issues only once, but it was understandable. It was in Miami Beach when I was down there for a meeting during President's Day weekend, the Miami Boat Show (think: NBAA for boats) and the Coconut Grove Art Show. You couldn't get a room in all of the Miami area, much less get onto Miami Beach. What a circus.
One other thing I was told about dropped calls is that you have to make sure you stop in to a Nextel authorized dealer to get your phone software upgraded about twice a year. They do it for free and it takes about five minutes. Related to this, I have found their customer service to be decent, too.
I imagine your decision ultimately will come down to coverage areas. If you anticipate being in rural areas regularly, then get Verizon because it's unlikely that you'll get a consistent service in those areas from Nextel. I think Verizon uses tri-mode phones that include analog (the original cell signal), as well as digital. I would recommend Nextel if most (or all) of your calling will be from urban areas.
One last thing - although I don't use the Direct Connect (walkie-talkie thing) on Nextel much, it is nice and works FAR better than the Verizon deal, from what I understand. Nextel's entire system was designed with that feature integrated into it from the beginning, whereas Verizon, as I've read, has cobbled one together. I know a few people who have their whole family using Nextel (mom, dad, grown kids, etc.), because it's so much cheaper to use the DC deal - nationwide).
Hope this helped. Fly safe.
skychaser
Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2002
- Posts
- 58
here goes:
I've used Verizon and Nextel simultaneously and Nextel is slightly behind Verizon in terms of coverage in the NY metro and surrounding areas. Nextel drops calls at least once a day where as Verizon at least gives you a warning (ie. static) before dropping and it happens much less than with Nextel.
As far as customer service...
Verizon has been excellent, they have replaced phones, fixed them, provided advice on call plans and their billing far surpasses Nextel.
Nextels' customer service however, is comparable to DMV. I've spent hours on the phone with them over single issues. Primarily because they will pass me one to 10 different people whom I have to explain the issue to all over again. I'm getting rid of Nextel for this reason alone. Out of the past 3 years with Nextel, 25% of that time my bill was incorrect. It is beyond frustrating.
Call Plans:
I'm not familiar with Verizons newer plans however I like the "free incoming calls" that you get with Nextel and that is the only thing I will miss when I drop Nextel.
I've used Verizon and Nextel simultaneously and Nextel is slightly behind Verizon in terms of coverage in the NY metro and surrounding areas. Nextel drops calls at least once a day where as Verizon at least gives you a warning (ie. static) before dropping and it happens much less than with Nextel.
As far as customer service...
Verizon has been excellent, they have replaced phones, fixed them, provided advice on call plans and their billing far surpasses Nextel.
Nextels' customer service however, is comparable to DMV. I've spent hours on the phone with them over single issues. Primarily because they will pass me one to 10 different people whom I have to explain the issue to all over again. I'm getting rid of Nextel for this reason alone. Out of the past 3 years with Nextel, 25% of that time my bill was incorrect. It is beyond frustrating.
Call Plans:
I'm not familiar with Verizons newer plans however I like the "free incoming calls" that you get with Nextel and that is the only thing I will miss when I drop Nextel.
Kingairrick
Rare user
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2002
- Posts
- 886
Verizon.
I had ATT for almost 10 years (remember bag phones?) and thought it was OK. Lots of dropped calls, crappy reception, including no service at my beach house on Anna Maria, and 1 bar at my home in South Tampa?
Got Nextel from an employer. I was shocked to find out that ATT sucked. Nextel was an order of magnatude above ATT. But, the boss was payin'...
Got Verizon when I changed jobs 2 years ago. It is an order of magnatude above Nextel. Works everywhere in this country. I've probably had 10 dropped calls in 2 years, really...ATT was 10 a day, Nextel 10 month..
Traumahawk; living in Fl, verizon is the no brainer..
I had ATT for almost 10 years (remember bag phones?) and thought it was OK. Lots of dropped calls, crappy reception, including no service at my beach house on Anna Maria, and 1 bar at my home in South Tampa?
Got Nextel from an employer. I was shocked to find out that ATT sucked. Nextel was an order of magnatude above ATT. But, the boss was payin'...
Got Verizon when I changed jobs 2 years ago. It is an order of magnatude above Nextel. Works everywhere in this country. I've probably had 10 dropped calls in 2 years, really...ATT was 10 a day, Nextel 10 month..
Traumahawk; living in Fl, verizon is the no brainer..
Chunk
SkyFuzz
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 496
I'm going from ATT to Nextel because of the 2-way...everyone I work with uses it so it makes it tough not to have it. I need to find a way out of my ATT contract though...I get crap signal at my house, maybe that'll be the ticket out. I live a coupla hundred yards off of 95, you'd think I'd get great signal.
Timebuilder
Entrepreneur
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 4,625
Well, I have gotten used to a standard cell call while waiting somewhere with a group of people, say at an automotive service counter. No one is moving, and only the guy in front is talking to the service manager.
Then, you hear it. A Nextel phone. Each and every time the conversation changes from end to end, that annoying "beep" sound goes off. It's like having a phone ring for every parcel of speech, instead of just one ring at the beginning. And now, the guy doesn't want to give up his place in line, so EVERYONE gets to listen to all this "beeping" until the call is over. I once saw this go on for ten minutes, talking about a problem on a contruction job. Must have been over 100 "beeps".
Just another perspective.
Then, you hear it. A Nextel phone. Each and every time the conversation changes from end to end, that annoying "beep" sound goes off. It's like having a phone ring for every parcel of speech, instead of just one ring at the beginning. And now, the guy doesn't want to give up his place in line, so EVERYONE gets to listen to all this "beeping" until the call is over. I once saw this go on for ten minutes, talking about a problem on a contruction job. Must have been over 100 "beeps".
Just another perspective.
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skychaser
Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2002
- Posts
- 58
Good post timebuilder.
I hate the 2 way function of the Nextel primarily because it is annoying and definetly rude in public places.
Then you have your friends, family, co-workers chirping you up in the middle of important business without alerting first!!!!
Only 2 trusted people have my 2way number for this reason.
The only benefit of 2way is it's free, not worth the aggravation if you ask me. If you want free, call nights and weekends or get the free incoming calls plan.
I hate the 2 way function of the Nextel primarily because it is annoying and definetly rude in public places.
Then you have your friends, family, co-workers chirping you up in the middle of important business without alerting first!!!!
Only 2 trusted people have my 2way number for this reason.
The only benefit of 2way is it's free, not worth the aggravation if you ask me. If you want free, call nights and weekends or get the free incoming calls plan.
side stick-n
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2001
- Posts
- 177
whosyodaddy
Active member
- Joined
- May 1, 2003
- Posts
- 42
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