Best cell phone plan for pilots

jrh

jrh

Well-Known Member
I haven't posted here in several years because I'd pretty much sworn off professional flying as too chaotic of a career for my taste.

Well, the pilot shortage has sucked me back in. I'll be starting training on Monday for a local Part 135 operation flying Citation V jets.

That means I'm leaving my current job which has provided me with a cell phone for the past four years.

I literally know nothing about who has the best deals/network coverage nowadays. With the charter company I'll be all over the lower 48, with occasional trips to Canada/Mexico/Caribbean. I don't use much data...I'd say 2 GB/month with my current habits of reading the news, using Google Maps, browsing Facebook, and Googling random stuff. I have a Verizon iPhone 4S, but could upgrade to something different if there is a good deal available.

My top priority is coverage while traveling. For the device, I don't mind keeping the 4S, or I'd upgrade to something more modern if it's still cheap and has an awesome battery life and small form factor. The iPhone SE is intriguing.

What do you recommend?
 
I've got the iPhone SE, I think it's great. The price is more reasonable than the other iPhones, but it seems to have the horsepower to do everything I want it to, and takes great pictures. I use Sprint, mostly due to their prices, and they seem to have a little better coverage than TMobile in my area. Calls, & Data are free in Canada as well, and possibly Mexico too, not sure about that, but don't really go down there.
 
I was on the same boat and lost my work Verizon iPhone after leaving my last company and beginning training. I use Ting (https://ting.com/), sharing Sprint's and T-Mobile's GSM network (they also have CDMA plans too). I'm almost always on Wi-Fi, use Google Voice for calling and messaging, and my cell phone bill is roughly $20-$25 a month. It's not pre-paid, it's pay for what you use, so if you manage your usage well you can keep your monthly rate well below what the bigger providers charge. No contracts and can cancel at any time. I've been really pleased so far and have had no issues with 4G coverage.

Only downside is their plans aren't really suited for international usage (it will work, but you'll pay a bit more); in that sense, I'd recommend T-Mobile for their unlimited international plans as mentioned by others if you'll be using your phone off Wi-Fi a lot while outside the States.
 
amichael said:
I have T-Mobile. Its so nice not having to change your habits regardless of what country you are in. Switched from ATT not long ago and no complaints.
Click to expand...

I'm in Sierra Leone and T-mobile wants 3 bucks a minute for wifi calling.

YMMV


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
BEEF SUPREME said:
I'm in Sierra Leone and T-mobile wants 3 bucks a minute for wifi calling.

YMMV


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
You're doing it wrong , or don't understand what wifi calling is.

@jrh I fly 135 to the places you listed. Tmobile works just like the States in Mexico and Canada. Free data, calls and texts. In the islands , you get free data and texts. I use Google hangouts dialer to call out when I don't have WiFi near me in the islands. With wifi calling, it's just like being at home.
 
Welcome back, even though we all know you never left.

I have been a T-Mobile customer forever and I love them. Highly recommend.
 
CoffeeIcePapers said:
You're doing it wrong , or don't understand what wifi calling is.

@jrh I fly 135 to the places you listed. Tmobile works just like the States in Mexico and Canada. Free data, calls and texts. In the islands , you get free data and texts. I use Google hangouts dialer to call out when I don't have WiFi near me in the islands. With wifi calling, it's just like being at home.
Click to expand...

Skype, or another app works just fine but the T-mobile wifi calling rate (dial the phone normally on wifi only) is indeed 3 bucks a min.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Ok. Fine.

You're not in one of the 200 something countries where they support wifi calling.
 
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T-mobile is hands down the best deal. It is really nice not needing to buy sim cards when out of the country. Free SMS and data everywhere I have been around the world, except for the USVI (50mb limit per day) - BVI was still unlimited. India, China, Israel, all of Europe, Canada -- free data.
 
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