Last minute phone card search

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Debbie Olsen on January 2, 2011 at 5:44pm

If your son has a cell phone he can bring that with him.  After getting to BMT they will have to surrender the phone but Chris's recruiter told him to bring his cell phone.  He's been making his calls home with his cell phone.  Good luck tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Correnti on January 2, 2011 at 6:06pm

Hi Debbie,

Drew's recruiter told him that they have to use the designated pay phones. But judging from what you've said, perhaps it depends on their TI.  Drew is bringing his cell, so I'll hope that's the case. Thanks.

Debbie Olsen said:

If your son has a cell phone he can bring that with him.  After getting to BMT they will have to surrender the phone but Chris's recruiter told him to bring his cell phone.  He's been making his calls home with his cell phone.  Good luck tomorrow.

Permalink Reply by Marti Knoll on January 2, 2011 at 6:38pm

Someone told me they could now take their phones, but I know my son and daughter-in-law could not. I think they confiscate them and let them use them on their Phone times...maybe...........  Try Walgreens...otherwise he can take his chances with his cell.....check the BMT website.....and good luck!

Marti

Permalink Reply by Julie Pierce on January 2, 2011 at 8:05pm

I was told that they can bring their phones and their TI will hold them and then let them use them for phone calls. They have them on a list or something like that. Don't forget the charger!!

Marti Knoll said:

Someone told me they could now take their phones, but I know my son and daughter-in-law could not. I think they confiscate them and let them use them on their Phone times...maybe...........  Try Walgreens...otherwise he can take his chances with his cell.....check the BMT website.....and good luck!

Marti

Permalink Reply by CJ HEDGE on January 2, 2011 at 8:35pm

My daughter got hers at walmart and don't worry they can get some at the base too   also, lindsey was able to take her phone and keep it in a locker to use...don't worry, the first 3 weeks were really rough on us both, but now looking back, lindsey loved every minute of if.  oh, if it has a sims card, keep it at home and they can have it back after graduation

 

Permalink Reply by Jerilyn Endrizzi on January 2, 2011 at 8:50pm

Hi Lisa-

You could try Walmart (electronic department) or Radio Shack may have them.  When David left (Nov 15t- 16th) for Basic he was told by his recruiter to bring his cell phone also...and like Julie said...don't forget the charger. David has called from his cell for every call home. The Ti's take their batteries, and will give them the battery to call home, so they need to be able to plug them in.  Or like Debbie said they may have to surrender their whole phone, so much does depend on their Ti's.  (Unless things have changed recently...you never know.)   It is a good idea though to have a calling card in case their phone doesn't work for some reason.

 

 You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this time! My heart goes out to you, I remember all too well what these next few weeks will be like. Be strong for your Son, and know that he will be OK.

 

Also, make sure you let your Son know that you, and your family will be OK too.  

 

You will get through this!

 

We are all here for you!!

Jerilyn :)

Permalink Reply by Lisa Correnti on January 2, 2011 at 9:57pm

 I checked out the BMT website and it says they can use their cell phones for family calls.  It's also good to know that they can purchase cards on the base in case they get a TI who decides they can't use their phones. We'll definitely pack his cell phone charger!

Many, many thanks for all your info.

Permalink Reply by Madeline Fuller on January 2, 2011 at 10:26pm

When Matthew went to BMT in October of 2009, his recruiter said he could take his cell phone with him.  When they get to BMT, the TIs take the phones, take out the batteries and store them.  Each TI is different; Matthew's didn't let them use theirs until their last week.  All of the calls he made to me were from the base phones.  So if you see any calls with a 210 area code, that's San Antonio, so answer it!!!!  Since that was over a year ago, maybe it's changed. 

 

Good luck to you and Drew.  Be prepared for every emotion under the sun.  Just know that the Air Force will take very good care of him, and we will try and take very good care of you, Mom!!!!  We've been where you are about to go, so lean on us!!!

 

God Bless and tell Drew how proud I am of him!  :)

Permalink Reply by Lori Thueme on January 2, 2011 at 10:35pm

My son has a phone card that my sister got him at Sam's Club. Thankfully she had gotten a world card so when he went to Germany after graduating tech school he could still use it. I have the information on the card and had to refill it once just after he got to Germany. Now he has a land line in his room and doesn't use the card, but he will be coming home on leave in a month or so and will need the card again until he gets to the US and I can reactivate his cell phone. From what I have heard I don't believe they can call and reverse the charges. I know my son had loaned his card to others that did not have a card.

 

Will be thinking of you and your son tomorrow Lisa.

Hugs as you both start on your new journey in the Air Force.

Permalink Reply by Tambra R Fulk on January 23, 2011 at 10:53pm

We got our daughter a phone card from Walmart, but most times they gave her back her cell phone to call home.