terrawombat Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 I’ve had Verizon FiOS for the past 3 years…never had a problem with it and any outages have been very minimal. I think the longest we were without service was about an hour when they were doing some work on the utility pole outside of my house. Verizon even gave me some money back for the inconvenience. So today I wake up and immediately go to my computer and search for jobs. No internet. This has happened once or twice before when the router acted up. Reset router…nothing. Check phone…nothing. Check TV…nothing. Ok, service is out, no big deal. Ride next door to my parents house, who also have FiOS – everything is fine on their end (1/4 mile down the road). My aunt is there and she said she got online this morning and my Uncle was watching TV (they also have FiOS). Turns out it’s just me. Call up Verizon tech support. Wait 30 minutes to talk to a representative. Go over basic troubleshooting with my ONT box in my garage. Turns out I either have a bad wire going from my box to the pole or the box itself is bad. Me: "Ok, stuff breaks…when can the service tech come out?" Verizon: "Oh, I’m sorry, Verizon is having a huge strike right now and there are no technicians available." Me: "Uhhh….ok, when will they be available." Verizon: "Try again in 7 days." Me: "I think I'll be calling Comcast in 7 minutes." Verizon: "I understand your frustration, but there is nothing I can do." WTF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 The Verizon Wireline union called a strike on Sunday. The stock market has going down the tubes since mid-week last, recession maximus is predicted, and these Union morons call a strike. These guys are all in the company stock purchase plan, and guess which telecommunications stock is tanking the worst of all. Great timing guys. :nuts: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 I dumped Verizon a few years ago. There service was great, but prices are horrible and products suck. I was paying $69.95 plus tax and government fees for my telephone, including long distance to Canada (lot of family there) for 5 cents a minute. They tried to sell me ADSL for $59.95 with speeds up to 768Kb/s while I was getting 5Mbps from Time Warner for $20 less per month. After spending 6 months installing a new bundle of wires in the alley beside my house they offered 1.5Mb/s and finally 3Mb/s. But by now Time Warner is up to 50Mb/s without price increases. Don't know why Verizon charges what they do. When I first moved here I had pretty much the same package for $27.95 when Verizon was still called GTE. My parents have 15Mb/s adsl in rural Canada for $15 and a friend in France paid about the equivalent of $15 for 100Mbps fiber into his house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallisek Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 I miss the days of dial-up, service seemed prompt and you had a million different ISPs to choose from. Now it seems you only get to choose from 1 provider (more if you are lucky) and their service sucks. All I have to choose from is Qwest which is $60 a month for a 3mbps / 768k. My last move, I had to wire up the box on the side of the house myself because I wasn't going to wait a week for a tech to get out here. Not sure if it was vandals or previous owner but all the cable / telephone lines had been cut. I'm hoping Verizon service is better than Qwest, I'm moving in a few weeks and I'm going with business FIOS 25/25 plan. ....friend in France paid about the equivalent of $15 for 100Mbps fiber into his house. :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 I have the residential 25/15 plan, one HD box and one SD box and unlimited phone from verizon. It's about $115 after taxes per month. I call up about every six months and threaten to switch to comcast and they always give me some random discount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted August 9, 2011 Share Posted August 9, 2011 The stock market has going down the tubes since mid-week last, recession maximus is predicted, and these Union morons call a strike. Don, the fix was in. Verizon went to the negotiating table (the old contract ended Saturday), and basically asked for almost everything back. Healthcare, work protection rules, sick days, 2 holidays, pension & job protection, everything. They even asked to change rules for those already retired. I'm not a Verizon guy, but I saw what the company asked for. There was no way the members would agree to give everything back in one contract like that. Plenty of concessions were asked for, and given back over the last few contracts, but this time was different. IMHO, Verizon went to the table to break the union. If you don't like unions, that's OK, but I don't think anyone can say Verizon went to the table to actually negotiate this contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 9, 2011 Author Share Posted August 9, 2011 Still no FiOS service... Still tethering through my iPhone... Still no Verizon technicians... My uncle has an old Verizon lift truck that I may just borrow, park in front of my house and inspect the fiber cable at the pole. I'll be sure to put on a Verizon-like uniform and hard hat so I look the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubSonic Posted August 10, 2011 Share Posted August 10, 2011 Still no FiOS service... Still tethering through my iPhone... Still no Verizon technicians... My uncle has an old Verizon lift truck that I may just borrow, park in front of my house and inspect the fiber cable at the pole. I'll be sure to put on a Verizon-like uniform and hard hat so I look the part. Better yet, use Verizon Truck. Use Verizon like uniform. If inspection leads to nothing or is too dangerous... MAKE A SCENE. You now have the ability to smear the company image to hearts content... at least to your neighbors... or the ones that don't recognize you... in a 'Verizon like' uniform... with a frickin' lift truck. On a side note. Verizon Fios is fast... I have it. I like it. But it $#!&s daily at 3pm every day for 5 to 10 minutes when the temperature strikes 105*... Who do I blame? It also fails any other time it damn well pleases. Solution: un plug big @$$ box on wall. Listen to ungodly battery scream. Smack battery till it falls out and unplug. Wait.... Wait. Still Wait. Plug in. Wait. Pray. er sum-thin. Wait. Mail me said uniform when done? And frickin' lift truck? :brows: I got PayPal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 :hijack: If you can... don't use comcast... they suck! I have a business account with them, 19 TVs, Internet, and phone.. one would think that Business Class accounts would get good customer support... well I don't :headpop: ... and they are not willing to get our current issue worked out (15 TVs no longer have service because of comcast)... you Will need a cable box for all your tvs, because they are encrypting the channels.. :mad: you also get to pay "rent" on any additional boxed after the first box. (thats 9.95 per extra box..) and as a kicker guess what! my 4 tvs that had cable just went out again... :headpop: looks like i will be on the phone for 30 min again today... :wall: I have no other option but to use them and I hate their guts... :fs1: :rant: at the house I have Direct TV, for well tv... and century link for internet, century link also does phone.. do your self a favor don't use comcast... for anything other than internet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share Posted August 12, 2011 I won't switch because I am going to be moving soon and don't want to bind myself to another contract. Pit a ladder in the back of my pickup and swapped the port that the FiOS line was on. Made no difference. A passer by decided to be a hero and take my plates down and report me to the police. Also spent an hour on tue phone with verizon last night. They have me scheduled for service on 8/21. Only 9 more days without FiOS. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubSonic Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 A passer by decided to be a hero and take my plates down and report me to the police. Wow. And that's why I hate people... I hope the cops didn't make it a big deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 My uncle has an old Verizon lift truck that I may just borrow, park in front of my house and inspect the fiber cable at the pole. I'll be sure to put on a Verizon-like uniform and hard hat so I look the part. you can pretty much do anything or go anywhere with a clipboard.. and if you have a hard hat too that just makes things easier.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 The cop didn't do anything, but probably because I knew him. I told him I was just up on the ladder looking for anything obvious - like a completely disconnected or severed wire - didn't touch anything. I explained to him my issue and he understood and was back on his way. Still no FiOS. I've been going to my parents house in the morning with my laptop checking/responding to e-mails and getting my daily CC dose. Only 7 more days until the service technician comes outs...which is a Sunday...wait a second...does Verizon even work on Sunday?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 put a wireless router in your parents house, that you can pick up the signal from your house with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 put a wireless router in your parents house, that you can pick up the signal from your house with. Yea, I could easily do that...especially since their house is basically setup for it. I used to pick up wireless internet from their house down at my shop (about 1/2 mile away with a very poor line of sight). I also have a spare 12dBi antenna and router with dd-wrt that I could probably throw up on my roof, aim it at my parents house and get a decent signal. In fact, after reading a few news articles about the strike and how much Verizon has not done yet, I think I'll make that my morning project... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted August 14, 2011 Share Posted August 14, 2011 In fact, after reading a few news articles about the strike and how much Verizon has not done yet, I think I'll make that my morning project... It sucks, ' but finding another solution might be in your best interest (FWIW, I despise Comcast, but you have to do what you have to do :yes: ) Here's what the demand list the Union says Verizon asked for: • Wages - both annual and progression increases will be tied to your yearly evaluation. If you receive a "Does Not Meet Position Requirements" you will not receive an increase. • Eliminate Night and Saturday Differential • Eliminate Sunday premium pay. • Eliminate Double Time for hours past 49/week • Eliminate all Overtime Caps. • Eliminate city allowances. • Create new job titles for the consumer and business call centers that would work on a commission-based wage schedule. Pensions • Eliminate pension accruals. For anyone currently on the payroll your pension will be frozen as of December 31, 2011 and after that, there will be no more pension plan. • Eliminate the Pension Cash-Out option. • Modify the 401(k) Plan and the CPS. • Eliminate the Sickness Death Benefit. Benefits • Eliminate the current health care, prescription, dental, and vision plans and offer plans with high deductibles and contributions. • Eliminate accident disability benefits. • Cut in half the sickness disability benefits. • Reduce sick time pay to 5 days per year for those members with 20 or more years; 4 days for those with 15-20 years; 3 days for those with 7-15 years; 2 days for those with 2-7 years; 0 days for those with less than 2 years. • Reduce Paid Holidays to seven. Job Security • Eliminate the Job Security Provisions for all employees. • Eliminate the Movement of Work Protection • Eliminate the 35 mile transfer provision • Eliminate provisions in Force Adjustment Plan • Eliminate New Contracting Initiatives agreement - which would allow them to increase the level of contracting Other • Eliminate the Next Step Program • Eliminate the half day on Christmas Eve • Reduce the notice to the Union on Major technological changes from 6 months to 30 days • Eliminate the Dependent Care Reimbursement Fund according to this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/art-brods ... 24898.html and the CCW: http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/ver ... kfr24KP-_I I wonder how much negotiation has happened this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share Posted August 14, 2011 Don't want to switch right now. Comcast only offers 1 year contracts in my area - no month-to-month. I'm slated to me moving to MD within the next month or so...don't want to be signing contracts for a residence I no longer live in. Tried to pick up a signal from my parents place, but didn't have any luck. I didn't really try all that hard either since it has been raining all day and I don't really feel like getting wet :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 In fact, after reading a few news articles about the strike and how much Verizon has not done yet, I think I'll make that my morning project... It sucks, ' but finding another solution might be in your best interest (FWIW, I despise Comcast, but you have to do what you have to do :yes: ) Here's what the demand list the Union says Verizon asked for: • Wages - both annual and progression increases will be tied to your yearly evaluation. If you receive a "Does Not Meet Position Requirements" you will not receive an increase. • Eliminate Night and Saturday Differential • Eliminate Sunday premium pay. • Eliminate Double Time for hours past 49/week • Eliminate all Overtime Caps. • Eliminate city allowances. • Create new job titles for the consumer and business call centers that would work on a commission-based wage schedule. Pensions • Eliminate pension accruals. For anyone currently on the payroll your pension will be frozen as of December 31, 2011 and after that, there will be no more pension plan. • Eliminate the Pension Cash-Out option. • Modify the 401(k) Plan and the CPS. • Eliminate the Sickness Death Benefit. Benefits • Eliminate the current health care, prescription, dental, and vision plans and offer plans with high deductibles and contributions. • Eliminate accident disability benefits. • Cut in half the sickness disability benefits. • Reduce sick time pay to 5 days per year for those members with 20 or more years; 4 days for those with 15-20 years; 3 days for those with 7-15 years; 2 days for those with 2-7 years; 0 days for those with less than 2 years. • Reduce Paid Holidays to seven. Job Security • Eliminate the Job Security Provisions for all employees. • Eliminate the Movement of Work Protection • Eliminate the 35 mile transfer provision • Eliminate provisions in Force Adjustment Plan • Eliminate New Contracting Initiatives agreement - which would allow them to increase the level of contracting Other • Eliminate the Next Step Program • Eliminate the half day on Christmas Eve • Reduce the notice to the Union on Major technological changes from 6 months to 30 days • Eliminate the Dependent Care Reimbursement Fund according to this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/art-brods ... 24898.html and the CCW: http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/ver ... kfr24KP-_I I wonder how much negotiation has happened this week. Looks like another union gravy train is being derailed. I don't think they would have much trouble filling jobs even at the new proposal listed above. 7-day a week schedules that do not make weekends "premiums" are the norm. Heck, stores aren't closed on Sunday anymore, why should the work week be considered as m-f only? Some people may have sun-mon or fri-sat off or even tues-wed off and still give 7 day a week coverage without uneccessary premiums. Fokls want decades old work conditions like premiums for shift work but certainly don't want to do it for decades old wage scales. If the pay must keep up with modern times, so should the working conditions IMHO. The previous economic fortunes will not return for the foreseable future and the sooner that "organized labor" gets on board with the new reality the better their workers will be in the long run. Just one dude's opinion but whether it pans out or not will just take a couple of years of observation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Yep. Let them strike themselves out of a job and possible retirement benefits. Plenty of skilled telecomm workers are waiting in line for those Verizon jobs even with the management mandates that don't look too harsh by today's economic standards. And it ain't going to change anytime soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comanche12 Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Still no FiOS service... Still tethering through my iPhone... Still no Verizon technicians... My uncle has an old Verizon lift truck that I may just borrow, park in front of my house and inspect the fiber cable at the pole. I'll be sure to put on a Verizon-like uniform and hard hat so I look the part. how do u able to tethering through your iphone???? I'm been try to do that? jailbreak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Yes, it's jailbroken with the MyWi app installed. AT&T and Verizon do not like it and will nail you for it if you use it too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue88Comanche Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Yes, it's jailbroken with the MyWi app installed. AT&T and Verizon do not like it and will nail you for it if you use it too much. they Will nail you when you use it... or at least AT&T will.. my dad and i had a warning sent via text and they have some way .. or so they say.. to detect it... however dad using an average of 27 of GIGS or so monthly...for the last six months.. it doesn't take a trained monkey to know that somethings up... and dad thought they would not catch on... now they took both of us off the "unlimited" plan and onto the 2 gig tethering... I stopped tethering on my first warning dad did not... now i get to keep track of data while i listen to Pandora to and from work... that sucks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 They don't have a way to detect how the individual data packets are being used but if you go over the "normal" daily or weekly iPhone data usage you'll be flagged and if you contInue to abuse it you get a letter/text stating you will be automatically enrolled in their $20/month tethering plan. Your dad using 27Gb clearly set off the warning indications. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 You guys are right, I can't wait till Verizon drops the overpaid union guys, so their service will be cheaper than the completely nonunion Comcast.... Oh, wait, Comcast isn't any cheaper. That's weird. Maybe it's possible to be a profitable, competitive company, AND pay a decent wage. I don't understand negativity towards private company unions. Negativity towards public unions I can understand, we pay for them directly with taxes, and there are very few cost controls. But private unions, why is it better to give $100k bonuses to the white collar executives than it it to give paid healthcare to the blue collar guys? Either way they will not be giving the money back to their subscribers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lemmon714 Posted August 16, 2011 Share Posted August 16, 2011 I can't say I have personally tried the following, but maybe a little research can help you out with using your parents WiFi. The option is a "Cantenna" and an attached link. http://www.turnpoint.net/wireless/cantennahowto.html Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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