+XGrunt Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I came across this article today and immediately thought of all the caches located at pay phones. I'm wondering how many caches will have to be archived before they get carted away with the phones? http://www.switched.com/2007/12/04/atandt-...phones-by-2009/ Quote Link to comment
+tabulator32 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I'm wondering how many caches will have to be archived before they get carted away with the phones? Its things like this that can be attributed to the decline in popularity of DC Comics' Superman and his plausibility as a genuine person in today's society. Bring back the phone booth! Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I came across this article today and immediately thought of all the caches located at pay phones. I'm wondering how many caches will have to be archived before they get carted away with the phones? http://www.switched.com/2007/12/04/atandt-...phones-by-2009/ Think of it as Geocaching's version of the Darwin Awards. Quote Link to comment
+private bones Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Reminds me that just the other day I didtched into an old pay phone booth to get out of the rain and spotted a magnetic cache attached to the pay phone. It was funny, since I wasn't in there looking for a cache, but at the same time, something about the whole experience did feel like a step back in time. Quote Link to comment
+Harriet the Spy Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Waymarking has a Phone Booth category where you can visit and document the places where pay phones still exist. Quote Link to comment
+Arrow One Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Quote Link to comment
+XGrunt Posted December 9, 2007 Author Share Posted December 9, 2007 Yeah, it's kinda funny. Everytime I see a phone booth, I think "geocache" not phone booth ha ha. Quote Link to comment
+ke6n Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 Where will superheroes change clothes? Quote Link to comment
+Karen2408 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 With a slightly different twist, I found this cache listing while looking at what was available in the area that we're wintering: Life Line: Who are you going to call? Here you have to call the listed pay phone number and convince whoever answers to read you some numbers off the phone's information sheet to complete the coordinates of this puzzle cache. Quote Link to comment
+tabulator32 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 With a slightly different twist, I found this cache listing while looking at what was available in the area that we're wintering: Life Line: Who are you going to call? Here you have to call the listed pay phone number and convince whoever answers to read you some numbers off the phone's information sheet to complete the coordinates of this puzzle cache. That's too cool. Of course, I am assuming the final, actual cache would be in the same area, so the cache hunter could probably visit the pay phone in person and get the numbers, right? Quote Link to comment
+MaplessInSeattle Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I found a payphone that had been kidnapped, taken to the woods and ripped open for the money. I was going to use it for a cache. But then I tried to lift it. OMG those things are sooo heavy. On the flip side, I was glad I didn't, since the super eco-cachers would have probably had a fit about turning trash into a cache. Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 That's okay, people will find other places to hide caches -- just as they did when payphone caches were starting to be hidden. Quote Link to comment
GeoPirates2007 Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 I cannot even rember when the last time I saw a real Phone booth was. I see a few pay phones but no booths Quote Link to comment
+Rattlebars Posted December 9, 2007 Share Posted December 9, 2007 This is gonna be bad news for Charles..... Communicator series What 13 states are invovled with AT&T. That was a very poor news story not to list the states affected. Quote Link to comment
+tabulator32 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 This is gonna be bad news for Charles..... Communicator series What 13 states are invovled with AT&T. That was a very poor news story not to list the states affected. Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Kansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Quote Link to comment
+the hermit crabs Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 I found a payphone that had been kidnapped, taken to the woods and ripped open for the money. I was going to use it for a cache. But then I tried to lift it. OMG those things are sooo heavy. Wicked heavy -- just ask my co-crab who carried the 40-pound Public Pay Phone TB down one (small) mountain and up another Quote Link to comment
+Karen2408 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 With a slightly different twist, I found this cache listing while looking at what was available in the area that we're wintering: Life Line: Who are you going to call? Here you have to call the listed pay phone number and convince whoever answers to read you some numbers off the phone's information sheet to complete the coordinates of this puzzle cache. That's too cool. Of course, I am assuming the final, actual cache would be in the same area, so the cache hunter could probably visit the pay phone in person and get the numbers, right? Well, it is the same area code. I tried checking a reverse phone book and all I can get for free is that it's an AT&T phone in McAllen, TX. That is the town in which the cache is posted. Not sure how you'd get an address for a payphone out of the phone company, though, so that you could check it for yourself. Of course that would defeat the purpose of the puzzle, right? Quote Link to comment
+Rattlebars Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 With a slightly different twist, I found this cache listing while looking at what was available in the area that we're wintering: Life Line: Who are you going to call? Here you have to call the listed pay phone number and convince whoever answers to read you some numbers off the phone's information sheet to complete the coordinates of this puzzle cache. That's too cool. Of course, I am assuming the final, actual cache would be in the same area, so the cache hunter could probably visit the pay phone in person and get the numbers, right? Well, it is the same area code. I tried checking a reverse phone book and all I can get for free is that it's an AT&T phone in McAllen, TX. That is the town in which the cache is posted. Not sure how you'd get an address for a payphone out of the phone company, though, so that you could check it for yourself. Of course that would defeat the purpose of the puzzle, right? THX! Quote Link to comment
+Vinny & Sue Team Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 With a slightly different twist, I found this cache listing while looking at what was available in the area that we're wintering: Life Line: Who are you going to call? Here you have to call the listed pay phone number and convince whoever answers to read you some numbers off the phone's information sheet to complete the coordinates of this puzzle cache. That's too cool. Of course, I am assuming the final, actual cache would be in the same area, so the cache hunter could probably visit the pay phone in person and get the numbers, right? Well, it is the same area code. I tried checking a reverse phone book and all I can get for free is that it's an AT&T phone in McAllen, TX. That is the town in which the cache is posted. Not sure how you'd get an address for a payphone out of the phone company, though, so that you could check it for yourself. Of course that would defeat the purpose of the puzzle, right? THX! The cache in question sounds great, but a quick note regarding the current discussion: There are, on the web, numerous phreaking (as in "phone phreak") and hacking websites which freely offer lists of every pay phone number matched to location for many areas. You can use Google to find such lists. I have used those same lists in planning and setup stages of difficult multistage caches; what easier way to find the location of a payphone in South Baltimore or in a tiny town for use a cache info stage? Of course, due to the popularity of them newfangled cell phones, some of the payphones listed on those sites are disappearing on a daily basis. Quote Link to comment
+tabulator32 Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 I did a bit of searching and I got about as much as the last person except that Intellius indicates it is a RESIDENTIAL land line number. To me, that indicates it is in someone's household. Quote Link to comment
+andGuest Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) I already had to archive a cache because of a pay phone being removed. However mine was because you had to call payphone and have someone answer a question to answer questions to get the coordinates. It was not an AT&T phone though; mayve other companies are doing the same. Edited to add I somehow missed the last few entries. Mine is similar to the Life Line cache that was listed. Edited December 10, 2007 by andGuest Quote Link to comment
+meralgia Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Seems that they're only used when folks (like me) forget my phone at home. I lost my keys in snow just the other day when scoping out a prospective hide. It was on the rare occassion when I forgot my phone at home that morning. My son needed to be picked up from school (immediately). I had to beg the use of one girl's phone before I found them and beg the use of another girl's phone afterward. Normally I scoff at the 50 cents required to make a call--what a ripoff! But, oh, what I wouldn't have given for the use of a pay phone that day! Edited December 10, 2007 by meralgia Quote Link to comment
+trainlove Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 (edited) In all likelihood, some other company will take over the pay phone operation so there should be no impact. But if that's not the case then in all likelihood AT&T will only take away the phone and leave behind the booth/stand/... If that's the case then the following icon can be useful. Darn it, did I just give away the solution to some puzzles? Edited to try to fix the image link that the forum software edited OUT. Edited a second time to try again to get the image link in. Is anyone else having a 5.25 minute slowdown from posting a reply to actually getting it up. 2 times in the last 10 minutes it's been soo very slow. I guess the forums servers are due for upgrading Edited December 10, 2007 by trainlove Quote Link to comment
truello Posted December 10, 2007 Share Posted December 10, 2007 The only people I see using payphones anymore are the homeless people searching for coins in the return tray Quote Link to comment
+The Jester Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 I occasionally use a pay phone (don't have a cell), but more often I'm looking for the phone book. Quote Link to comment
+Kit Fox Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 (edited) I've only found one pay phone cache that was unique enough to actually write more than an one sentence "found it" log. Autoteach & Red Lady Audio Cache was an interesting concept. Of course I tried to use my cell phone, but it wouldn't work. Edited December 11, 2007 by Kit Fox Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 (edited) A couple months ago, I accidently threw my celphone in a fish-filled dumpster (don't ask!). Rather than climb in after it, I decided to just get a new one. Later that day, I was having some chest pains (happily, it turned out to be gall bladder, not cardiac) and I needed to call my wife to let her know that I was going to go to the hospital. It took a little searching, but I eventually found a payphone to make the call. There are certainly fewer pay phones than there used to be, but those phones tend to be owned by some third-party vendor, rather than one of the big phone companies. I suspect that trainlove is absolutely correct and that if the phones are in a location that is still viable, the spots will be snapped up by these smaller companies. Edited December 11, 2007 by sbell111 Quote Link to comment
+Team Cotati Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 (edited) I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Tell me about it. The Team has been predicting the demise of payphones for a couple of years now. Just check around the airport the next time that you stroll thru. There's simply not enough demand any more. I'll really miss all those really neat phonebooth micros though. Poor poor Superman, gonna be getting arrested for indecent exposure 'bout 4 times a week, eh? Edited December 11, 2007 by Team Cotati Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 (edited) I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Tell me about it. The Team has been predicting the demise of payphones for a couple of years now. Just check around the airport the next time that you stroll thru. There's simply not enough demand any more. I'll really miss all those really neat phonebooth micros though. Poor poor Superman, gonna be getting arrested for indecent exposure 'bout 4 times a week, eh? Super speed allows him to change clothes without being spotted; unlike your avatar. (Also, he traditionally wore his uniform under his clothes, so he has no fear of being arrested for indecent exposure. He simply doesn't want to be spotted making the change because then people would know his secret identity.) Edited December 11, 2007 by sbell111 Quote Link to comment
+trainlove Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Um, please enlighten me. How does one log a cache using a phone? I assume it's something like wap.geocaching.com and not just phone a family member. Am I behind the times? Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 (edited) I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Um, please enlighten me. How does one log a cache using a phone? I assume it's something like wap.geocaching.com and not just phone a family member. Am I behind the times? I'm thinking that the cache was stuck to the phone that the guy was using. This kept Arrow One from being able to sign the log. My guess is that he hasn't started keeping chloroform in his cache bag. He'll learn. Edited December 11, 2007 by sbell111 Quote Link to comment
+Arrow One Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 I waited almost 20 minutes one time for a guy to get off a pay phone to log a cache. In the age of cell phones, I was thinking who the heck even uses a pay phone anymore. Um, please enlighten me. How does one log a cache using a phone? I assume it's something like wap.geocaching.com and not just phone a family member. Am I behind the times? I'm thinking that the cache was stuck to the phone that the guy was using. This kept Arrow One from being able to sign the log. My guess is that he hasn't started keeping chloroform in his cache bag. He'll learn. You got it! The cache was a tiny micro, hidden in the frame around the phone. (not really a booth) I could have just walked up and said "excuse me" and grabbed it! Quote Link to comment
+trainlove Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Oh, I feel so stupid. I completely misread that. Wish list add-on. Some way to phone in a log to the web site. Voice recognition software and totally automated prompting... Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 Oh, I feel so stupid.I completely misread that. Wish list add-on. Some way to phone in a log to the web site. Voice recognition software and totally automated prompting... It wasn't your fault. The phone was a red herring. Quote Link to comment
+joranda Posted December 11, 2007 Share Posted December 11, 2007 What a bummer. I've seen quite a few phone booth caches. Quote Link to comment
+Planet Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 They can start hiding them in these. It would be a tough hide though. Quote Link to comment
+tabulator32 Posted December 12, 2007 Share Posted December 12, 2007 They can start hiding them in these. It would be a tough hide though. OMG! How...I mean...how...nevermind. Quote Link to comment
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