Popeye

Why don't you turn your phone ON while on STBY, when it rings with a 901-XXX-XXXX caller ID answer and go fly. Can't you include that $10 call on your expense report?

MeXC

Not sure about Verizon but ATT wouldn't work for me. I get zero service. Also, in some places a one minute call to Scheduling can be upwards of $40 (Paris-Marriott). Yes you can expense it.

hyperone

Not sure where you're going, but everywhere I've been on the -11 I've been able to get roaming service with my AT&T Iphone4. You've got to make sure that Enable 3G and Cellular Data are turned on on Network Settings, with Data Roaming turned OFF. You shouldn't incur any extra charges with those settings, unless you send/receive a text or make a call. Even if you decide to call roaming on an international 3G network, it cost approx. $2.99/min. most places - not $40!
Also, your family/friends/schedules can call and/or text you anywhere. To receive a text costs 50 cents everywhere international, and to send a text costs 25 cents.
Part of my voicemail message is to tell people if they have an important message for me to just send a text since I may be overseas. Works great - lasts a long time.
I also have Skype loaded on the Iphone so that I can make a voice call using any wireless network - my own Airport Express network in my room, the hotel lobby, Starbucks, airport terminal networks, or most international Mickey Dees.
That being said, it's should still be a requirement for the company to provide local cell phones everywhere we have international hotel standby's.

USMCFDX

Do not leave Cellular Data on, this is what will cause high bills. Calls will come through just fine with this feature off.

MX727

I've never been held hostage. As someone else pointed out, I'm being paid to be on STBY. When I want to leave the room, I call them (free call, expense the call, or use Skype from the room) and tell them I will be out of the room for the next hour. Never, ever had an issue. Not everything is overly complicated or dramatic. Then again, maybe we could change the contract language so that scheduling has to play "Where's Waldo?" every time they need to launch a STBY.

appDude

Not true-
On the iPhone-
Settings>General>Cellular>Cellular Data -- ON
Settings>General>Cellular>Data Roaming -- OFF
(big charges w/o international data plan)
You can leave it set this way and not have to remember anything when going in and out of domestic areas.

I highly recommend an International data plan if you spend more than a couple days a month overseas.
And then turn Data Roaming On and Off as needed to babysit the data volume of the international plan.

You can whine all you want about the company should pay for a phone and you can try to expense it but come on- either get an international phone or get a local throw down phone. Quality of life is way more important than saving less than one day of per diem for being able to enjoy your international layovers for the entire month!

golfandfly

Really? Go out and get a cell phone with an international plan. Make it easier, get a cell phone that works internationally. ATT iphone? If you get a call, don't answer and keep your data roaming off. If it's from Memphis, go back to your room and skype them (or find wi-fi).

golfandfly

....................

Adlerdriver

Probably not a bad idea to come up with something that works in these situation because it seems to be a new trend.

Revisions to pairings that would "normally" result in deadheading the crewmember home early are now being changed to included hotel standby for the footprint of the original trip.

PurpleTail

Bump.....fyi.....