Payphone Caches

1.3k · January 12, 2004

Recently, I've come across a few geocaches around Philadelphia and Northern NJ that are magnetic keyholders stuck under payphones. My understanding is the payphones are owned and operated by the telephone company so technically, those would be private property. In none of those geocache descriptions was it mentioned that permission has been obtained to place the payphone caches.

So I'm wondering if it is necessary to get permission from the phone company to place such a cache or if that is a grey area?

38.2k · January 12, 2004

I guess that the official line would be that permission is needed. Just the way it would be needed to place one in a shopping center parking lot. But it's not like Ma Bell is going to log on to the site to look for geocaches the way private land owners might.

January 12, 2004

I don't know about "grey" but it sure is lame.

Can geocaching survive?

1.1k · January 12, 2004

I don't know if it's as lame as those I-76 caches... on the other hand, I-76 makes for much better log reading than a 'grey' phone booth cache...

Patiently waiting for another QM drive-by-

-=-

michelle

...nowhere near the northeast

January 13, 2004

Do you got a bug up your butt about permissions? most of us are smart enough to know the rules regarding getting permission for placing caches. Logging a note for "Where's wally" asking me if I had permission like you're my mother or something,should we all start getting notes to upload to keep you happy?!

1.3k · January 13, 2004

Do you got a bug up your butt about permissions? most of us are smart enough to know the rules regarding getting permission for placing caches. Logging a note for "Where's wally" asking me if I had permission like you're my mother or something,should we all start getting notes to upload to keep you happy?!

Firstly, I was not referring to your cache in this thread. And secondly, if you got permission, why not note it in your cache description?

If you don't like the note I posted on your cache logs, kindly delete it. I just thought that was something that you should make clear.

Edited January 13, 2004 by stayfloopy

January 13, 2004

I apologize I did not think this thread was geared at me, I just noticed the same theme. After your post to my Cache I did modify it to say I had permission. I am sorry for you traveling then being unsure whether or not it was cool to get the cache. It just never occured to me to post this info, I assumed all would know I had permission. But you know what they say about assuming things. Please be my guest in posting "Where's Wally" as a find for yourself I do believe you earned it! Again I am sorry I just think most of us have the commonsense to know to get permission. Then again I would'nt put a cache in a phone booth.

4k · January 13, 2004

I don't want to take sides in this conflagration, however, as of an hour ago when I looked, the description did say he had permission. :unsure:

EDIT: Dang.....not quite quick enough. Well, there ya go!

Edited January 13, 2004 by Sparky-Watts

1.3k · January 13, 2004

Again I am sorry I just think most of us have the commonsense to know to get permission.

There have been a few caches I tried to get where I've been confronted by property owners and I've had the police called on me a couple of times. Most cache placements are legitimate and placed with permission but I've been burnt enough by the few that aren't that I need to be careful.

January 13, 2004

There have been a few caches I tried to get where I've been confronted by property owners and I've had the police called on me a couple of times.

LOL. With nearly 2300 finds to your credit, I'd be surprised if there was anything you HAVEN'T encountered!

Edited January 13, 2004 by fosterbass

January 13, 2004

I don't know about "grey" but it sure is lame.

Can geocaching survive?

why was this member not rebuked by the admins for this obvious off topic, incindiary post as has occured to others in other members in other threads? some admins are not so fast to the punch when certain people are involved.

danny

Edited January 13, 2004 by dboggny

22.3k · January 13, 2004

Quest Master is expressing his opinion about the type of cache being discussed in this topic. While not directly related to the issue of *permission* for payphone caches, the comment was still relevant to payphone caches. There are plenty of topics where a geocacher expresses an opinion that cache type X is lame.

Normally the moderators are criticized for handing out *too many* warnings. Danny, relax and have a virtual beer with me to commemorate Upinyachit's retirement from the forums.

3.1k · January 13, 2004

I'll have a beer with ya

Always someone complaining and using the word lame. Makes me wonder what sort of issues they must really have?

There are easy and difficult caches for a variety of reasons not to mention the fact that there are some handicapped cachers so for them a magnetic keyholder might be a long way from lame.

Plus such placements can break up a pretty boring road trip.

Look in your states constitution, I believe 47 states have approved payphone cache placements.

January 13, 2004

Irrational outburst from "someone" with issues:

LAME! LAME! LAME! LAME! LAME!

On topic:

I don't see that it should be necessary to seek permission for such a cache. If the phone company doesn't like it, they can just take it. No harm done and nobody will even care when another LAME magnetic microsrcap disappears.

January 13, 2004

Irrational outburst from "someone" with issues:

LAME! LAME! LAME! LAME! LAME!

On topic:

I don't see that it should be necessary to seek permission for such a cache. If the phone company doesn't like it, they can just take it. No harm done and nobody will even care when another LAME magnetic microsrcap disappears.

That's it QM, you are making me hide a "Park-n-Ride Lame Micro". Well, it will be an evil hide, but it will be at at PnR.

January 13, 2004

I think technically you do need permission to place a cache in a phone booth. But in reality, the phone company would probably not even notice until someone from the phone company stumbled upon it doing maintenance or something.

Hmmmm...isn't that the way it use to be with PA State Parks and Forests? :blink:

<Semi-inside joke>

Hey Questmaster? Wanna go to the PA Tele-Communicators conference with me and speak on the merits of geocaching in public phone booths? If your busy, I know a few cachers who may want to go in our place. I'm sure you will lend them your presentation :bad:

I wonder how the phone company would respond if you actually asked permission? Anybody ever really try? Would they be concerned about attracting people to the booth for purposes other than it's intended purpose?

They may even like the idea of caching in phone booths because you may be so happy that you found it that you excitingly drop in a quarter to call your caching buddies and share a "boo yah" with them. Or maybe you just want to call them and brag about your updated find count.

Or...maybe they will suggest that you move your keyholder cache over to that neat little Urban Park across town instead?

Ahhhh, the side issues this topic raises...apologies for straying off-topic a bit.

Salvelinus (biting his tongue)

January 13, 2004

If you don't like the note I posted on your cache logs, kindly delete it. I just thought that was something that you should make clear. [/QUOT
I will generally not delete any notes left on my cache pages, especially when they do make a valid point, which you did. Perhaps someone else will see it and it will encourage them to post that they have permission to place such caches. Again I apologize for my assumptions.

Edited January 13, 2004 by bleattler

1.3k · January 13, 2004

I will generally not delete any notes left on my cache pages, especially when they do make a valid point, which you did. Perhaps someone else will see it and it will encourage them to post that they have permission to place such caches. Again I apologize for my assumptions.

Quite alright. Thanks for understanding.

January 13, 2004

Quest Master is expressing his opinion about the type of cache being discussed in this topic. While not directly related to the issue of *permission* for payphone caches, the comment was still relevant to payphone caches. There are plenty of topics where a geocacher expresses an opinion that cache type X is lame.

Normally the moderators are criticized for handing out *too many* warnings. Danny, relax and have a virtual beer with me to commemorate Upinyachit's retirement from the forums.

fuggehdaboudit

Edited January 13, 2004 by dboggny

January 14, 2004

what is this world coming to? floopy causing trouble? jinkys shaggy!

1.3k · January 14, 2004

what is this world coming to? floopy causing trouble? jinkys shaggy!

Just filling a void. :bad:

January 15, 2004

Operator: Operator, may I help you?

Geocacher: Yes, I am calling you from a phone booth and wanted to know if I could put a geocache in here.

Operator: The pay phones only take U.S. coins sir.

Geocacher: No, I mean I want to hide a geocache in the phone booth

Operator: I'm sorry the phone company cannot accept money from other countries.

Geocacher: No, no, no, it's not money. It's a magnetic key holder with a piece of paper and a pencil.

Operator: You really shouldn't be hiding your keys in the phone booth, can't you find another place to hide it, like under your mailbox?

Geocacher: No, there isn't any key in it. It's just a key holder with paper and a pencil... Wait a minute, you may be on to something... Do I need permission to attach something to the outside of my mailbox?

Coming Soon - The GOING POSTAL series of microcaches!

:lol:

January 15, 2004

Here's an idea on making a phonebooth cache rated 5 for terrain....

January 15, 2004

Just go the phone, find the cache, Put 50 cents in for the call to the cache owner to log your visit!

January 15, 2004

Do I need permission to attach something to the outside of my mailbox?

If mailed of scrap of paper with my initials on to your address, would that count for a find?

January 26, 2004

Sir Cach-A-Lot

Now that's funney!

January 27, 2004

ROTHLMAO for Sir-Cache-Alot.

Keyholders in a phone booth are non-intrusive, unlike sharpie marker on the glass. I do see ownership as a grey area - the phone boothe is open to the public but is not specifically marked "For Phone Calls Only".

At some point, common sence must prevail. In a few years this thread won't matter- because of the number of cell phones, most phone companies are slowly doing away with pay-phones.

January 27, 2004

fuggehdaboudit

Wait a minute...you live in QUEENS NOT BROOKLYN!

Boy, now I am rethinking my phone booth cache - eh. I don't care if it is lame!

24.7k · January 27, 2004

Well now, I truly doubt the phone company has exclusive use of that patch of ground. They are usually there with permission of the property owner.

If you get permission from the property owner would that cover it or do we need to get permission from everybody who might possible own equipment chaches might be hidden, by, on, under or near?

This level of permission isn't a place I really want to see geocaching go.

3.9k · January 27, 2004

Did they need permission from Chrysler for Yellow Jeep Fever LC?

2.4k · January 27, 2004

If DiamlerChrysler knew about it, yeah, they'd have probably sued to have it archived......

January 27, 2004

Again I am sorry I just think most of us have the commonsense to know to get permission.

There have been a few caches I tried to get where I've been confronted by property owners and I've had the police called on me a couple of times. Most cache placements are legitimate and placed with permission but I've been burnt enough by the few that aren't that I need to be careful.

well there was that time you were mistaken for an international criminal mastermind. That would scare me off potentially inappropriate geocachers too!

9.4k · January 27, 2004

If DiamlerChrysler knew about it, yeah, they'd have probably sued to have it archived......

Too late...its been archived anyway

3.1k · January 27, 2004

I don't know about "grey" but it sure is lame.

Can geocaching survive?

Would it seem lame if you were in a wheelchair?

January 27, 2004

In reality all the caches we place are on property that is owned or controlled by someone. So I guess we should have to get permission to place any cache except ones on our own peoperty and sometimes I am not too sure about that.

I figure if its not against any laws and is on public property then it should be ok. As for using it for a purpose not intended, what about Clark Kent using them to change into Superman. Maybe its like my old boss used to say "sometimes it is better to beg forgiveness then to ask permission"

Common sense should rule when deciding to ask permission or not. :lol:

24.7k · January 27, 2004

If DiamlerChrysler knew about it, yeah, they'd have probably sued to have it archived......

I'm suprised they haven't sued everyone using the Jeep Grill sig line or Cruzin for his avitar.

January 27, 2004

I don't know about "grey" but it sure is lame.

Can geocaching survive?

Would it seem lame if you were in a wheelchair?

In no way am I a voice for handicapped persons, but to answer your question; Yes, for me it still would be. I probably would not be caching very long either if caches like these are the best you can come up for handicapped cachers.

A good cache does not have to be inaccessible. Nor does an inaccessiable cache make it a good one. Some of us are just not into the numbers end of things, and I am not assuming you are either. We just would like to see some effort, caring and maybe a little more "love" shown when placing a cache.

...like it use to be.

Salvelinus

edit: removed double word.

Edited January 27, 2004 by Salvelinus

3.1k · January 27, 2004

I don't know about "grey" but it sure is lame.

Can geocaching survive?

Would it seem lame if you were in a wheelchair?

In no way am I a voice for handicapped persons, but to answer your question; Yes, for me it still would be. I probably would not be caching very long either if caches like these are the best you can come up for handicapped cachers.

First of all the obvious retort, don't do any cache I place that has a handicapped icon, you aren't handicapped and you can't speak for someone that is.

Also instead of using the imfamous label of lame try to be part of the solution. Offer suggestions for handicapped acess caches. I haven't placed one in a phone booth but I plan to when I go down the hill this afternoon. I've placed about 10 so far for handicapped people.

The elitist attitudes on this forum amaze me at times. More whiners per square inch than any other place I've visited. Go find some caches, have fun and allow others to enjoy themselves.

January 27, 2004

I know. I know. I've heard this refrain before: There are no lame caches, only lame complaints. <yawn> Easy caches aren't lame. Lame caches are lame [i.e. not fun]. Please expain, for my benefit, your problem with the word lame. It is the most appropriate word that I can think of to describe certain caches. I do not intend to offend the physically challenged who do not ever use this word to describe themselves, as far as I know.

I do not hide caches for the physically challenged because I do not have the proper perspective of somebody who is confined to a wheelchair to know what sort of cache they would enjoy. I do think, however, that they might be offended if I hid a scrap of paper in a magnetic key locker and stuck in on a phone booth in an ordinary and mundane location. They might ask if this was the very best that I could do for them. If I was confined to a wheelchair, I would try to hide the very best wheelchair-accessible cache that there ever was and I would take the time to type an extra sentence into the cache page that would say that my cache was designed for the physically challenged. If somebody told me that it was lame, I would accept that as their opinion and either dismiss it or try to do better the next time. I would not assume that they are just elitist whiners.

If it bothers you that some people on these forums complain about the quality of caches then why do you stay to read them?

9.2k · January 27, 2004

Quest Master,

I am also reminded of the Pittsburgh area geocacher who is confined to a wheelchair, yet has no problem enjoying some of the area's more challenging caches, including some of yours as well as my 6.5 mile long multicache. Though he has a buddy along for assistance, this geocacher certainly doesn't seem very limited by his "handicap." Funny, he hasn't bothered to find any of my urban micros that are labelled as handicapped-accessible.

24.7k · January 27, 2004

...If it bothers you that some people on these forums complain about the quality of caches then why do you stay to read them?

So we can say things like "Lame is as lame does". :lol:

3.9k · January 27, 2004

I'm going to make a pay phone cache that is actually a pay phone.

9.2k · January 27, 2004

Wouldn't you first have to establish your own phone company, so that you'll have someone to ask for permission? :lol:

January 28, 2004

I don't know about "grey" but it sure is lame.

Can geocaching survive?

Would it seem lame if you were in a wheelchair?

In no way am I a voice for handicapped persons, but to answer your question; Yes, for me it still would be. I probably would not be caching very long either if caches like these are the best you can come up for handicapped cachers.

First of all the obvious retort, don't do any cache I place that has a handicapped icon, you aren't handicapped and you can't speak for someone that is.

Also instead of using the imfamous label of lame try to be part of the solution. Offer suggestions for handicapped acess caches. I haven't placed one in a phone booth but I plan to when I go down the hill this afternoon. I've placed about 10 so far for handicapped people.

The elitist attitudes on this forum amaze me at times. More whiners per square inch than any other place I've visited. Go find some caches, have fun and allow others to enjoy themselves.

Lazyboy:

In order to avoid an ugly flame war, I sent you a personal e-mail further explaning my position on this issue. You can choose to respond as you see fit.

However, I will not change my feelings about this type of cache. You can label me an elitist all you want, that's fine, but cache quality is a big issue with me. I cannot perceive that just because you are confined to a wheelchair you are further restricted to having to find lower quality caches as defined in this thread. If you are going to sell placement of a cache soley based on its handicapped accessibility then it should be at least as good a cache as everyone else has the ability to find.

That was the sole point of my comments.

Again, this is not a personal attack toward you...only a response to phone booth (and similar) type caches. Please do not take it as such.

Best Regards,

Salvelinus

Edited January 28, 2004 by Salvelinus

January 31, 2004

Quest Master,

I am also reminded of the Pittsburgh area geocacher who is confined to a wheelchair, yet has no problem enjoying some of the area's more challenging caches, including some of yours as well as my 6.5 mile long multicache. Though he has a buddy along for assistance, this geocacher certainly doesn't seem very limited by his "handicap." Funny, he hasn't bothered to find any of my urban micros that are labelled as handicapped-accessible.

Truly Amazing!

I also know of a person that is dependent on crutches for daily life, however, that hasn't stopped them from their Rock Climbing habit! :rolleyes:

February 9, 2004

What's a payphone? :lol:

Happy caching and stuff! :huh:

9.2k · February 10, 2004

A "payphone" is like a cell phone except that it is tied down with wires so nobody takes it. Some people call it an "immobile phone." The phone company makes them a lot bigger than regular cellphones, so that geocachers will have a place to hide a micro. It's quite nice of them, really.

February 10, 2004

A "payphone" is like a cell phone except that it is tied down with wires so nobody takes it. Some people call it an "immobile phone." The phone company makes them a lot bigger than regular cellphones, so that geocachers will have a place to hide a micro. It's quite nice of them, really.

:blink: Ooooooooooh!

Thanks for the clarification.

3.1k · February 10, 2004

every phone I own is a pay phone, none are free

Payphone Caches

Recommended Posts

Join the conversation