The realisation you're getting old

[Accy cyclist]

I've just thought of a reason why I've kept my landline telephone, even though it hasn't been used for quite a few years now. I couldn't find my phone a while ago, so I simply phoned the number on my landline then after hearing its ringtone I found it in an inside jacket pocket.

 

[HMS_Dave]

I've just thought of a reason why I've kept my landline telephone, even though it hasn't been used for quite a few years now. I couldn't find my phone a while ago, so I simply phoned the number on my landline then after hearing its ringtone I found it in an inside jacket pocket.

How much have you paid for the privilege of that service of finding your phone in all that time accy?

 

[Accy cyclist]

How much have you paid for the privilege of that service of finding your phone in all that time accy?

At a guess I'd say about 75 pence a month. 🤔

 

[HMS_Dave]

At a guess I'd say about 75 pence a month. 🤔

Forgive me, i haven't had a landline for years now, but isn't line rental still a thing?

 

[Accy cyclist]

How much have you paid for the privilege of that service of finding your phone in all that time accy?

Also, it's helpful to have it in case my mobile phone conks out, or I lose it when out and about and I need to call 999 when I'm at home.🧐

 

[Accy cyclist]

Forgive me, i haven't had a landline for years now, but isn't line rental still a thing?

Probably not.🤔 I was dusting the other day and picked my landline phone up to dust it, when it fell on the floor. I heard it making a 'still alive /working' sound, so I know it's still connected, but am I paying for it I very slightly wonder?🤔

 

[PaulSB]

Forgive me, i haven't had a landline for years now, but isn't line rental still a thing?

I think it depends on the situation. We need a landline to deliver broadband. I think our current package has a phrase like "includes line rental."

We occasionally get incoming calls on the landline. I don't recall the last time it was used for personal calls. The charge is £1/minute. I did use it for 999 in January 2019 and given the situation having a landline probably saved my life.

 

[HMS_Dave]

Also, it's helpful to have it in case my mobile phone conks out, or I lose it when out and about and I need to call 999 when I'm at home.🧐

You could get a £15 "dumb phone". Battery lasts forever. It has the added benefit of that you could use it as a burner phone for when you and your butler plan your black market snuff import shenanigans.

 

[HMS_Dave]

I did use it for 999 in January 2019 and given the situation having a landline probably saved my life.

Well, you certainly can't put a price on that.

 

[Accy cyclist]

You could get a £15 "dumb phone". Battery lasts forever. It has the added benefit of that you could use it as a burner phone for when you and your butler plan your black market snuff import shenanigans.

But I'd only go and lose it, like I do with the phone I have now, therefore requiring my landline (again!) to find the thing! 🤔 🧐

 

[Accy cyclist]

I can't lose ( as in can't find it) my landline telephone, that's for sure and long may it continue!! 🧐

 

[HMS_Dave]

I can't lose my landline telephone, that's for sure and long may it continue!! 🧐

No im with you. Plenty of elderly rely on it and this is good enough reason alone. But i only suggested an alternative as it didn't seem like you used it. Running a business, my brain is wired to think this way. Every penny i can save is more money in my pocket.

 

[PaulSB]

No im with you. Plenty of elderly rely on it and this is good enough reason alone. But i only suggested an alternative as it didn't seem like you used it. Running a business, my brain is wired to think this way. Every penny i can save is more money in my pocket.

It's interesting that in a true crisis I instinctively reached for the landline to call 999. I had a brain haemorrhage and was alone. The only thought I was capable of was to get help.

This is probably an age thing, hard wired. It will change for younger people. There does seem a certain important advantage to the landline being in a fixed spot. Wanting to dial 999 after a "WTF is the mobile" moment might not work.

 

[Accy cyclist]

No im with you. Plenty of elderly rely on it and this is good enough reason alone. But i only suggested an alternative as it didn't seem like you used it. Running a business, my brain is wired to think this way. Every penny i can save is more money in my pocket.

When I said I can't lose it, I meant with it being attached to a plug, not emotionally attached of course.

 

[HMS_Dave]

It's interesting that in a true crisis I instinctively reached for the landline to call 999. I had a brain haemorrhage and was alone. The only thought I was capable of was to get help.

This is probably an age thing, hard wired. It will change for younger people. There does seem a certain important advantage to the landline being in a fixed spot. Wanting to dial 999 after a "WTF is the mobile" moment might not work.

It's a good point. When i was a lad, a fair few people still didn't have landline phones and i do distinctly remember a neighbour running out to the public phone booth just 2 doors away to call for an ambulance. We'd have obviously obliged and called on her behalf, but i think in a time of crisis, the fight or flight kicks in and you just instinctively make decisions. She knew where the phone was and ran for it.