Carrying more than one phone

@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
August 21, 2012 11:51pm CST
I've had my phone since I was seventeen years old and I've had the same phone number through it all. But, right now, while my friend is in jail for possibly the next two months, I have her phone as well. She has asked that I put minutes on it, which doesn't bother me at all because it also means that she can call me on her phone (for her to call my phone is long distance but for her to call her phone number is considered to be a local collect call). This does mean that I will be carrying my phone with me all the time and that I will be carrying hers as well. I will only answer hers when I know that it is her that is calling me because I don't want to intrude on her business. This got me to thinking, is there anyone else out there that is carrying around two or more cell phones with them? If you are carrying more than one cell phone, what is the reason that you are doing it? If you have never carried more than one phone, can you think of any situation in which you would carry more than one phone with you?
4 people like this
21 responses
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
I have two phones with me. I have my personal and company phone. I also have another phone but my son dropped it and it cannot be charged. We have three mobile companies here and you can buy sim cards easily unlike in any other countries. I have all the prepaid sim cards of the three network so I can avail all their promos.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
The idea of having phones for all of the major companies is very interesting. For me, I know that the carrier that I use for my cell phone allows unlimited mobile to mobile minutes, regardless of the carrier and the vast majority of the phone calls that I make are to people that are using a mobile phone as well.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Aug 12
That used to be the case for our cell phones as well, but these days, they aren't doing that any more. I'm actually very thankful for that because it has made it possible for us to only have our cell phones and we don't even worry about having a landline phone in our home.
@shylade (3132)
• Philippines
23 Aug 12
Here in our country, you can only avail of the unlimited call and text if you are in the same network or carrier. Since our family have different mobile carrier, then we have to get sim cards for all the mobile carrier here.
@sishy7 (27169)
• Australia
22 Aug 12
I carry two mobiles. One is for work, and the other is private. I know a self- employed friend who carries three. One is related to his business, one number is only given to his family and close friends, and another one he uses to communicate with his family, friends or business colleagues overseas. All three are just regular mobiles, not iPhone, blackberry, or any of those other smart phones.
1 person likes this
@toyota4k (1208)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
I only carry one phone and if I were forced to use two for some reasons, I would still carry one but some phone with a double sim feature,
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
Honestly, I think that there are times that carrying just one phone is a lot of baggage. I can't even begin to imagine what it would feel like to have to carry around three phones. For right now, I'm only carrying my own, but that is because of the fact that I've not yet put on money for the collect calls onto the other phone. I'll be doing that tomorrow.
1 person likes this
25 Aug 12
Before i carry three phones, and it's sucks :( I feel like a crazy person, especially if it's third mobile phone rings. But now i just have and carry one phone and i choose iphone for my smart phones. i think now my life so comfortable than before :D
1 person likes this
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
I carry three phones with 4 different network. The one that I always used is for my internet provider using my smart phone also, the one is for my daughter who is on the big city the one is for my parents who I can call them anytime to monitor them and I subscribed it in a plan and the other one is a landline phone that already attach to the cellphone so I can bring it anywhere and sometimes I used it for some business offices here. I'm planning to give up the line phone this coming month.
1 person likes this
@lynboobsy11 (11343)
• Philippines
23 Aug 12
The phone line I owe is cheap, the two is prepaid I just load it if it's important and I only used it when someone will call me. the landline phone I have is the extension to my friends phone so she is the one who pays for it. In prepaid sim cards, we have lots of package that are very cheap in price that's why it doesn't matter how many sims card we have, only it requires a cellphone unit.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Aug 12
You see, for the most part here, you would have to have a different phone for each different carrier's sim card because the majority of the phones here are locked to just one carrier.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
The main question that this brings to mind for me is doesn't it get very expensive to have that many different cell phones? I know that it tends to get expensive for just my husband and I to each have our own phones.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
I have two smartphones. One is a blackberry phone and the other is a samsung galaxy s2 phone. I use the blackberry to connect with blackberry friends and for business. My samsung galaxy s2 if for my relatives and friends who are close to me. My carrier offers a different plan for both and I wanted an android so I couldn't give up my blackberry.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
That is a very interesting reason that you choose to carry more than one phone. Now, what is the operating system that the Samsung runs on because it is a smart phone as well, isn't it?
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Aug 12
Thank you for sharing that information with me.
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
23 Aug 12
It's running on android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich. Jelly bean would be available soon and I will surely update my phone.
@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
22 Aug 12
Having more than one phone means multiple uses. For me, I personally prefer to have two phones to choose my service provider, putting numbers with the same provider and communicating with them via the same. When dual-SIM phones came, I switched to a single unit with two SIM cards and it is just a matter of choosing which one to use when communicating. It is like having two phones in one unit.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
I actually have to admit that I've never heard of a dual sim card phone until today. That is a concept that I think is very interesting and that would definitely be what I would be doing right now if that was an option for me, it would definitely save me some baggage.
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
I used to carry to mobile phones. I used one for my family, relative and close friends and the other for others. When I am already home, I turn off my other phone so no one in the office could contact me. But when I learned about dual sim phone, I bought one so that I don't have to bring two phones all the time and I use that kind of phone for a while. But just last year, I was given a smartphone and I have been using a single phone from then. I just really don't like having one number because everybody could just contact me anytime they want.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
For me it has never bothered me that everyone has the same number for me. I mean I've had my cell phone since I was in high school and there are people that would be able to come up with that number from the time that I was seventeen and if someone that I knew then wanted to call me, that would be okay with me.
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
23 Aug 12
I'm pretty sure I've carried 2 phones with me at one time or another (one being mine, the other being my husband's). It wasn't on purpose though. I took off in the car and would find out that hubby's phone was in the car with me! Happy mylotting!
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
24 Aug 12
Yep, it's not very common here either, but it does happen.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Aug 12
There have been very few times that we've had that happen, but it does happen from time to time between Tom and myself.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I have never carried more then one phone. I've always only ever had one at a time. I am trying to think of a situation in which I'd need to carry more then one, and the only thing I can think of is if I had a business or was working for a business in which issued me a phone.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
Ordinarily that would be the only reason that I could think of in which I would want to carry more than one phone. This situation right now is definitely a special situation and one for which I am willing to carry the extra phone.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
22 Aug 12
years ago when i went to the hospital with my hubby, i carried his and my phone till he was out because he had clients calling at times that i had to inform them of who else to call. then my daughter carried mine and hers when i was in the hospital several times to answer family that didnt have her number.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
Those situations make a lot of sense as to why you would need to carry more than one phone for a period of time. It is always important, in my opinion, to be able to be in contact with loved ones when there is something medical that is going on in the family.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
5 Sep 12
I used to carry two phones in my previous job. I had my personal smartphone, and I had the clunky regular celphone issued from work. I didn't like carrying the work phone so much, but since it had a free long distance plan built into it, I used it call friends from all over. I have a tendency to check my phone in my pocket every now and then, and it looked kind of weird trying to 'feel' my phones in my left and right front pocket.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
6 Sep 12
I've mostly been carrying my own phone in my pocket the way that I usually do and then I will carry the other phone in my bag. The funniest thing was last week when I was out of the house and I got a call on my phone and answered that and just as I answered my phone, the other phone started ringing. It wasn't my friend, so I decided to just let the call go, although I did know the person that was calling.
@chum24 (569)
• Philippines
22 Aug 12
hi!! i always carry two cellphones one for my family,(only my family and close relatives knew my phone number)and second for my friends and to my boyfriend for i can easily contact with them. but most of the time i always bring my phone that my parents know. they don't know that i have second phone for sure they will get mad at me.
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
This really puzzles me. Why is it that you choose to carry two phones and only allow certain people to have certain numbers? For me, I have to admit that it is much more convenient for everyone to have one phone number and it is much less expensive for me that way as well.
@fantabulus (4000)
• India
22 Aug 12
Woooo madam you are great same no. from 17 years of age. I think I lost many times my phone and no. both. I purchase mobile 7 years before and I lost 3 phones with in 7 years. So I cant keep more than two mobile. I not need more than one phone because in my single sim every facility even I can call in other country also.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
I guess I would have to say that I've been very lucky in that I've never lost my phone. There have been a couple of times that I have lost it for a short period of time, but I've always been able to be reunited with my phone. With that said, the reason that I've kept the same number since I've had a cell phone is because of the fact that I've never known when someone from my past might want to be in touch with me.
• India
27 Aug 12
I used to carry an extra cellphone but certainly not for such a reason. The reason I carried it was because it used to be there at home all aloof and I had many friends who had that number of mine. This is not a usual habit of mine but occasionally I need to do it. Sometimes I kind of get agitated for taking care of two hence I am not making it my habit.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
29 Aug 12
I do have to admit that it does get quite frustrating to carry both of the phones with me whenever I leave the house. However, what was even worse was when I was out last night, my phone started ringing and I answered that and as soon as I answered my phone, the other phone started ringing. That was something that really made things frustrating because it is impossible to talk on two phones at the same time.
• India
30 Aug 12
Since 2009, I have been carrying 2 mobiles with me. One has the office (i.e. corporate number), that my employer has provided me. Another is personal that I use to keep in touch with family and friends. At first I use feel uncomfortable with two mobiles. now I am habituated with them.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
31 Aug 12
The reason that you have to carry two phones is the only reason that I can think of that it would really make a lot of sense to carry two mobile phones with you most of the time. I would have to assume, however, that you aren't required to have your business phone on you all the time.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
1 Sep 12
That really stinks that you can't even get away from work when you are on a vacation. I don't know that I would be able to handle that.
• India
31 Aug 12
During vacations I can opt to not to carry the mobile. But then if I don't carry it, I have to check my Official mail, for which I will require my laptop with internet connection. Compared to carrying a laptop, carrying a mobile is easier. Therefore when I go on vacation, still I need to carry 2 mobiles.
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
24 Aug 12
Our phone service provider of my land line BSNL has offered a free sim card from which I can make a free call to my house land line if I pay some money as yearly charges. Hence I took that sim card and bought a new simple phone set to use that sim card. Hence I always carry two mobile phones with me.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Aug 12
The rationale that you've given here does seem to make sense. But in a situation such as yours, wouldn't it make some sense to get rid of your secondary phone and just keep the one that is linked with your landline phone?
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
23 Aug 12
I've only ever had one phone at a time..Unless I started my own business and wanted to keep a separate number for that purpose,I'd probably not want a second phone..and If I did want a second number,I'd definitely be considering a Dual SIM phone instead of carrying 2 handsets..Some people can compartmentalize their lives to the extent they can carry several handsets,but to some people,that just looks shifty! Here in Ireland,due to the north/south political situation,there are cellphone providers on both sides. Around the border region,reception can be very patchy,with some providers having no transmitters or signal available,so even though politically You're still in the UK but close to the border,Your UK provider won't work well (if at all),and you can find yourself "Roaming" with an Irish provider instead! My Manager has his home in the South,but stays in this area of the North for work,and his "normal" Irish provider phone is very frustrating for him here,dropping signal a lot..He now carries a second,UK phone to stay in contact with his family.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
24 Aug 12
I can definitely see why you would carry two different phones for national issues like you've described here. Other than that, I can never think of a time when I would be permanently carrying two different cell phones.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I have once when my son was running and I held his phone for him but just for two hours. And I wouldn't answer it either unless it was a name or number I recognized.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
The only time that I'm going to be answering her phone will be when she calls because hers is a prepaid phone and I would rather not have to pay for the days when I won't be able to talk to her.
@shaggin (71663)
• United States
22 Aug 12
I have never carried two phones. I would have both my pockets full then haha. That is nice what you are doing from your friend. My sister has a phone through straight talk and one through safe link. She uses both at different times. When the minutes run out on one she goes to the next one. It drives me nuts because I am never sure where to send her messages to.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
That is the way that Tom's aunt does as well. I think that she has a total of four phones. She will use the first phone until the monthly minutes end on that phone and then she will move to the next phone and then to the next phone. I know it is common for it to get very difficult to get ahold of her because there are so many different numbers to try.
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Aug 12
Ha ha - I can barely manage my one phone!!! The only time I've ever carried two cell phones was just this weekend! We went to the beach and my husband had his phone in his cargo shorts pocket. He just knew it would get wet, so he had me carry it for him in my fanny pack. So the only reason why I would be carrying two is because I'm just temporarily holding it for someone (and that'd only be for a very short time!!).
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
And I really think that you did the right thing in that situation because there is far less inconvenience to carrying your husband's phone for a little while than there would be to have to replace his phone because it had gotten wet.
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
22 Aug 12
Hi, I don't have more than one cell phone. I carry only one phone with me. My son has two cell phones and he can manage both the phones easily. But I don't feel comfortable in handling two phones.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Aug 12
I really do believe that if I was carrying more than one phone with me all the time that I would be very likely to lose one or both of the phones.