You all know the drill and how annoying it is. You're on a cell phone call with someone. the connection drops. You aren't sure whose signal was worse. So you both call each other back at the same time and get each others voice mail. So you realize the other person is calling you back (you both realize this at the same time). So then you, and the other person, both decide to not dial again and wait for the other person to call you back. But they are doing the same so a few minutes go by and each of you are thinking that the other person is waiting for you to call them so you both again dial each other and get a busy signal
LET'S STOP THE MADNESS. Let's just follow this simple rule.
If you are on a cell phone call and the call gets dropped, the new rule is that that person that initiated the call in the first place calls the other one back. No dual dials. No dual voice mails. No 3 minute delays to get the call going again. Its really this simple.
- if you initiated the call and it drops you call the other person back.
- if you received the call and it drops you just wait for the call back.
Please pass this along or forward the link to this post to everyone you know. It will save us all time and frustration.
I'm so glad that you laid out these excellent rules! I hope they catch on...
Posted by: Adam Sadowsky | June 01, 2008 at 01:41 PM
A like this rule a lot. I will try and promote the concept as well on my web site where people complain where their cell phone frequently drops. http://www.deadcellzones.com
Posted by: DeadCellZones.com | June 02, 2008 at 09:03 AM
After yet another dropped call from a friend who calls on his commute home in suburban New Jersey, I thought about issuing the same edict. It's the latest version of telephone tag, and only the cellphone companies win. Thanks for beating me to the punch!
Posted by: Norman | June 04, 2008 at 06:51 AM
There is perhaps one exception; if both are fairly certain that one of them is known to have a less expensive way of returning the call, then a few extra moments should be left reserved to give them an opportunity to do so.
Posted by: UL | August 17, 2008 at 09:11 PM
This plan has a name: Dave's Disconnect Dilemma:
http://blog.davemadethat.com/2007/09/19/daves-disconnect-dilemma-solution-he-who-calls-returns-the-call/
Thanks for sharing the plan. I wish more people would follow it, it drives me nuts playing phone tag.
He who calls, returns the call.
Cheers,
Dave
Posted by: Dave Delaney | August 18, 2008 at 10:36 AM
No, no, no. This is not the way. Always the person who dropped the call should make the call back. The Scovill Protocol (what this is called) is very clear because you don't know how long the droppers going to be out of range (it could be short tunnel) or a long ride in an elevator.
Please stick to the Scovill Protocol - whoever dropped the call makes the call back. The droppee (is that a word?) waits.
Posted by: Cory Levenberg | April 23, 2009 at 08:25 AM
I agree, The Scovill Protocol is much better! Usually the person making the call has a good connection; that is why they are making calls. The "dead" phone should make the call to avoid the problem.
There is the unlikely situation where both callers drop, but that is really, really rare. Not only should it be followed, but you have to tell everyone every time it happens.
Posted by: Brad Oberwager | April 23, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Yeah! I definitely agree with your rules. Everyone should be aware about this. coz it is frequently happen to anyone.
-seff-
Posted by: Cellular phones for sale | May 03, 2009 at 11:58 PM
The Scovill Protocol doesn't work because you don't always know which line dropped the call.
Posted by: MC | July 16, 2009 at 10:34 AM