When did you last see a payphone

cptkrf · cptkrf #1 (**permalink**)

04-09-2012, 01:16 PM

Just a few days after telling a young nephew about the long extinct payphone, I come across an article...

'Smart screens' to replace pay phones in NYC | Signal Strength - CNET News

... that says that NYC still has 12800 of them! The last one disappeared from view in my state at least 15 years ago. Is there anybody on the planet, however destitute, that doesn't at least have a Go phone?

technologist · technologist #2 (**permalink**)

04-09-2012, 01:50 PM

I last saw one at the Amtrak station. Last I remember, there were some at the airport, too.

I like the idea that they're still around, in case my phone battery dies. But I haven't used one in years.

mdfuller · mdfuller #3 (**permalink**)

04-09-2012, 04:08 PM

The movie Phone Booth.

XJ-linux · XJ-linux #4 (**permalink**)

04-09-2012, 07:47 PM

County grey bar hotel.

CrimsonRequiem · CrimsonRequiem #5 (**permalink**)

04-09-2012, 09:44 PM

Gas station around the corner.

EndlessMac · EndlessMac #6 (**permalink**)

04-09-2012, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by technologist

I like the idea that they're still around, in case my phone battery dies. But I haven't used one in years.

I also like the idea they are still around in case we ever need them. Cell phone coverage is still horrible in some areas, and I can't tell you have many times I've hear about tourist thinking their cell phones will work out in the woods or other rural areas. Some of my local parks have pay phones which is good piece of mind in case of an emergency.

A family member of mind once forgot his phone and keys at work but the door automatically locked so he had no way of getting them back. Luckily there was a pay phone a few blocks away so he was able to call someone. It was also very late at night so no one else was around for him to borrow their phones.

I do think pay phones aren't used as often as they once were but I still think they are needed in some cases.

AliOop · AliOop #7 (**permalink**)

04-10-2012, 09:18 AM

I used to install and repair them...many years ago. I see a few here and there. Not many.

moff · moff #8 (**permalink**)

04-11-2012, 01:06 PM

I work for a phone company; I see a lot of them.

dtravis7 · dtravis7 #9 (**permalink**)

04-11-2012, 01:19 PM

I see a few of them around town here and there. There were a lot more 10 years ago.

safarisurfer · safarisurfer #10 (**permalink**)

05-03-2012, 02:20 PM

most people do not lend their phones to strangers. especially if the person asking is like under the age of 35. that is my experience anyway. Even my own family has stated in the past they would never lend their phone out to just anyone. they might call the police or something for you. but they wont give you the phone.

especially nowadays when you have phones out there ranging from 3-500 dollars just for the phone.

the only person thats going to lend you a phone is that odd person that has 5 minutes left on a 19.95 dollar walmart phone.

all the payphones where i live are gone. the 2 that i know that do exist dont work and have been cut.

PhotoEditingHSB · PhotoEditingHSB #11 (**permalink**)

05-03-2012, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cptkrf

Just a few days after telling a young nephew about the long extinct payphone, I come across an article...

'Smart screens' to replace pay phones in NYC | Signal Strength - CNET News

... that says that NYC still has 12800 of them! The last one disappeared from view in my state at least 15 years ago. Is there anybody on the planet, however destitute, that doesn't at least have a Go phone?

I think that these make a lot of sense in airports, but I'm not sure you'll find me any time soon pulling up at one in the street.

dauber · dauber #12 (**permalink**)

05-03-2012, 05:22 PM

Saw one not even 24 hours ago in the Jackson Street Red Line subway station in Chicago.

Ttaylor394 · Ttaylor394 #13 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 12:51 PM

they are usually in every single hospital.. mine esp

IvanLasston · IvanLasston #14 (**permalink**)

05-07-2012, 01:00 PM

Actually just came back from NY/NJ - there was an entire bank of them in EWR, and saw a few in NY.

Berk · Berk #15 (**permalink**)

05-12-2012, 06:09 PM

Gratiot, Ohio. Went after my mail today and took a pic. It still works!

XJ-linux #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2007 Location: Going Galt... Posts: 3,125 Mac Specs: MacBookAir5,2:10.8.3-MacMini3,1:10.8.3-iPhone3,1:6.1.3	04-09-2012, 07:47 PM County grey bar hotel. ,_____o00o _ //___l__,\____\,__ l_--- \___l---OlllllllO (o)_)-o- (o)_)--o-)_)
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CrimsonRequiem #5 (permalink)
Inactive Staff Member Since: Jul 24, 2008 Posts: 5,956 Mac Specs: MBP 2.3 Ghz 4GB RAM 860 GB SSD, iMac 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7 32GB RAM, Fusion Drive 1TB	04-09-2012, 09:44 PM Gas station around the corner. 死神はリンゴしか食べない。
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dtravis7 #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2005 Location: Modesto, Ca. Posts: 25,816 Mac Specs: iMac C2D Late 2007 20" with 10.8.3, Macbook Santa Rosa 4GB Ram OSX 10.8.3	04-11-2012, 01:19 PM I see a few of them around town here and there. There were a lot more 10 years ago. ...Dennis Mac-Forums Community Guidelines
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Ttaylor394 #13 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 15, 2011 Location: West 'by-God' Virginia Posts: 343 Mac Specs: 21.5 iMac, white iPad 3, white iphone 4, white iphone 5	05-07-2012, 12:51 PM they are usually in every single hospital.. mine esp 21.5"iMac i3 3.06:running 10.7  500GB HD  16GB DDR3  Magic Trackpad  Black iPhone4 32GB  White iPhone4 16GB  Apple Extreme Airport Base Station 
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When did you last see a payphone

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cptkrf #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 08, 2009 Location: The same as Sheldon Cooper - East Texas Posts: 278 Mac Specs: MacBook Air,2011, Intel Core i5, 27" Thunderbolt display (Highly recommended!)	04-09-2012, 01:16 PM Just a few days after telling a young nephew about the long extinct payphone, I come across an article... 'Smart screens' to replace pay phones in NYC \| Signal Strength - CNET News ... that says that NYC still has 12800 of them! The last one disappeared from view in my state at least 15 years ago. Is there anybody on the planet, however destitute, that doesn't at least have a Go phone?
	QUOTE Thanks

technologist #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 30, 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,744 Mac Specs: 12" Apple PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz)	04-09-2012, 01:50 PM I last saw one at the Amtrak station. Last I remember, there were some at the airport, too. I like the idea that they're still around, in case my phone battery dies. But I haven't used one in years.
	QUOTE Thanks

AliOop #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 03, 2009 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 110 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro.	04-10-2012, 09:18 AM I used to install and repair them...many years ago. I see a few here and there. Not many.
	QUOTE Thanks

moff #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 16, 2011 Posts: 22	04-11-2012, 01:06 PM I work for a phone company; I see a lot of them.
	QUOTE Thanks

safarisurfer #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 12, 2008 Posts: 436 Mac Specs: 13 inch 2012 Air	05-03-2012, 02:20 PM most people do not lend their phones to strangers. especially if the person asking is like under the age of 35. that is my experience anyway. Even my own family has stated in the past they would never lend their phone out to just anyone. they might call the police or something for you. but they wont give you the phone. especially nowadays when you have phones out there ranging from 3-500 dollars just for the phone. the only person thats going to lend you a phone is that odd person that has 5 minutes left on a 19.95 dollar walmart phone. all the payphones where i live are gone. the 2 that i know that do exist dont work and have been cut.
	QUOTE Thanks

dauber #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 14, 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 440 Mac Specs: MacBook(3,1): C2D 2.2ghz, 4g RAM, 10.7.5; iMac(12,1): 2.5ghz i5, 16gb RAM, 10.7.5; iPhone4 iOS6	05-03-2012, 05:22 PM Saw one not even 24 hours ago in the Jackson Street Red Line subway station in Chicago.
	QUOTE Thanks

IvanLasston #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 26, 2010 Location: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado Posts: 2,116 Mac Specs: 1.8 GHz i7 MBA 11" OSX 10.8.2	05-07-2012, 01:00 PM Actually just came back from NY/NJ - there was an entire bank of them in EWR, and saw a few in NY.
	QUOTE Thanks

Berk #15 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 02, 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 103 Mac Specs: Macbook Pro 2.8 GHz I7 4GB mem version 10.8 ML // Ipad3 // iPhone 4S	05-12-2012, 06:09 PM Gratiot, Ohio. Went after my mail today and took a pic. It still works!
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