When did you last see a payphone

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 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.

The movie Phone Booth.

County grey bar hotel.

Gas station around the corner.

technologist said:

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

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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.

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

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

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

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.

cptkrf said:

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?

Click to expand...

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.

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

they are usually in every single hospital.. mine esp

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

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

Berk said:

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

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Wow. I've used a few of those in the way way past, although I remember them always being blue. But they are long gone from around here. A very few remnants of the pedestal type are around, torn up with all evidence of a phone missing. Despite looking, I have found 0 (zero) pay phones in my town of about a hundred thousand.

A real live working pay phone in 2012. Woulda never of thunk it.

The 2000 census showed this town with 187 people. You have to go to the post office to get your mail. I live in an unincorporated town nearby thats so small we have to go to this town to get our mail.
Gotta love small town America!

There is on in the gym wing at my school. I see it everyday. But out in public. I can't remember seeing one that works.

Saw an old red phone box (complete with working pay-phone) in a place called Avebury when walking around the stones a week or so ago. The 5 of us proceeded to try and squeeze in it and get some poor passer-by to take a photo of us

WIKI >> Avebury Stones