<p>We got the 800 number so son can phone home.</p>
<p>When are cell phones allowed in plebe year?</p>
<p>After plebe summer or after plebe year?</p>
<p>after plebe summer. they'll give them back during ppw but take them back again until you move into your ac year rooms.</p>
<p>Plebes are also allowed to retrieve their cell phones to make their scheduled calls home during Plebe Summer.</p>
<p>MODADKC - I also considered 800 number but, still not sure if that's the way to go or cell. Parents site recommended the 800 number.</p>
<p>MODADKC: can you share some information re: 800 number set up process? Thanks!</p>
<p>We chose AT&T. I am sure others offer the service.</p>
<p>AT&T's service is called "Easy Reach 800".</p>
<p>The plebe can call from any phone at any time directly to the designated number. Our number is our home number. Son can dial 800 number, enter the 2 digit pin and we get called and interestingly enough we also get caller id.</p>
<p>Their is no cost to the plebe. No 20 digit code to punch in. </p>
<p>The cost is like 2.50 a month plus 10 cents a minute.</p>
<p>If he finds himself able to use his cell phone, he will use that as long distance is free in our plan.</p>
<p>I hope that helps. Funny though, he wanted to be able to use the 800 number to call others, read gf. For that, a calling card with a bunch of digits will be supplied to him as well.</p>
<p>Cell phones are a dangerour distraction...give the card. If you're not home, they can't cry. Cell phones also allow their friends to text msg and phone them, I don't care how short of a time with them you have. Plebes don't need to hear a friend call saying how great Rush week is at some frat while you're Mid is up at 0500 marching off demerits. It builds fortitude to wait at a pay phone to make a call and then have no one home...it's mental toughness. A parent club member called my wife and freaked her out saying how our son was going to call and cry and ask to come home. I was a Napster and couldn't quit for two years or I was going to the fleet (or so I thought). That was the best thing for me....no way out, no way home, and my mom moved during Plebe year...so no home. And I stayed and graduated. A lil off topic, but I see cell phones in the school system everyday and though they have a great safety intent (from a parent's perspective) boy, can they help students get find trouble, or trouble find them. It's Plebe summer and year. They don't need a phone.</p>
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It builds fortitude to wait at a pay phone to make a call and then have no one home...it's mental toughness.
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<p>The statement above is EERILY accurate. I hadn't thought of it before, but it's true.</p>
<p>Thanks MODADKC. </p>
<p>I can see the logic in mvljog44o's post. With that said, the 800 number MAY be the ultimate way to go. The parent's website seems to think so.</p>
<p>My Mid took a cell phone his Plebe year. It certainly made it convenient for us to try and connect with him after football games, around the Yard, etc. Having a cell phone was never a huge distraction with his friends. AIM will prove to be a much bigger distraction. In my opinion, they are adults and need to learn to manage themselves and suffer whatever consequences there could would be if they misused the phone or allowed it to be a distraction.</p>
<p>Wow, Why dont you people take that tight leash off of your kids and let them be. Life is all about them living it themselves, not someone dictating them what to do. Cell phones are intergral parts of our lives and are there for convienience, not distraction. I grew up with one, I would know. </p>
<p>building fortitude to wait at a payphone!? I find that highly ammusing, why wait to do somehtign that you can easily do right away?</p>
<p>A kid could have no leash if he/she paid the bill! :)</p>
<p>Just got the "expanded" cell phone set-up. One for each of us. Hey I held out for more years than I thought. The reason I decided on cell phone over 800 number was now we ALL have a cell and one of us can be reached 24/7. We don't have to wait around the phone for "the call" and she doesn't have to worry about not getting through. I wil say the 800 number would have been a boat load cheaper! ;) The one Sierra and her mom got have the built-in camera feature and they can send over phone or download to computer. I'm hoping this will make it easier to send pics once AC year begins. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I'm not real concerned about the text messaging. From what I've learned from many on CC both in and out of the Academy, time IS precious and these "kids" are now "adults" and had better know (or sure as h*** learn pretty quick) how to manage time.</p>
<p>I also have the ability to block anything. :D</p>
<p>I have a Virgin Mobile pre-paid phone. I only call my mom once a week so it is not very expensive anyway. A cell phone is needed this year just for contact, especially for movement orders or any activity off deck. At every mate's desk there is a list of cell phone numbers of everyone in the company. Not having a cell phone does not make you mentally tougher, it makes you look unreliable if someone needs to get in contact with you and they don't know where you are.</p>
<p>One thing for all of you to check out...most cell phone carriers provide a military discount on your bill. We have verizon...but before the end of this month will purchase a separate plan on Sprint for our kiddo. Sprint gives NO contract to military people. This is teriffic to consider. Also no start-up fees, something like 20% discount off their bill and now they have 7pm nights...and their lowest plan with only 200 monthly minutes ( and to start, I bet that's all most Plebes will need) that are minutes with unlimited nights/weekends/long distance/no roaming....the total monthly cost runs about 25$. When you consider we live on the west coast...those 7pm night minutes mean there will be lots of times ahead to call and not be charged and to connect with our Plebe at reasonable times. Plus, if we buy a phone with a local phone number to US....my calling to her is no long distance charge on my landline.</p>
<p>USNA bound kids already qualify for this military discount. I've called numerous carriers and they all know this....</p>
<p>Just be sure to stay on top of the billing. We have used Sprint for several years, but they don't always offer you the lowest possible rate. Do some independent research on the Sprint website and go into their store armed with info. Then watch the bill to make sure they charge you what you had ordered. </p>
<p>Peske-just realized you are in Vista. We lived on Coronado from '92-'98.<br>
Still go back whenever possible.</p>
<p>well then, after reading my request to have you pm me on another thread...you'll HAVE to contact me directly, so we can meet the next time you're my way!</p>
<p>Have you heard if Verizon offiers this discount as well?</p>
<p>yes verizon does, but not if you have a family plan...I checked on this...and verizon's discounts were frankly not as good as sprint or cingular....and we're verizon ourselves, so this isn't some slam on them or anything</p>
<p>verizon = worst cell phone company ever, go with sprint or cingular</p>