Let’s bring back the Pager!

By Chelsea Irwin

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune made me a little nostalgic about my old Motorola pager.
 
With all the technological advancements, a “beeper” is no longer considered a reliable or professional means of emergency communication. People carry BlackBerries, iPhones, or whatever other mobile device they’re checking at the dinner table. But with all these advancements we’ve lost the true meaning of “emergency.”

Back in the “olden days” a Pager was considered a sign of success for doctors, nurses, or even the occasional dentist. A page meant someone needed immediate surgery or a midnight root canal. Now-a-days, the phrase, “call my cell phone for emergencies,” is interpreted as, “I’m available if you need anything.” If we were to revert back to offering a pager number in case of emergencies, I can guarantee the meaning of emergency would gain some ground.

There is one caveat; this will only be effective if you only carry a pager – meaning no cell phone at all. This is because half the hassle of returning a page was finding a pay phone. Which by the way, good luck finding a pay phone, or $.95 to make a local call!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting we start using pager code or clipping pagers to our Converse shoes, but simply remind people that it’s not a convenient time to contact you so it better be an emergency! 

Comments

[Becky Frost]

They'd certainly have to have a lot more pay phones and some sanitizing wipes next to them for your plan to work, but it's a good plan.