Stop wasting time

(1) Unnecessarily dialing 9
A surprisingly large number of people start their calls by picking up the handset and dialing 9. And an even more surprisingly large number of people complain about having to dial 9.

WELL, FOLKS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DIAL 9 (unless you have "Centrex" service from your phone company, and if you do have it, there's a good chance that you shouldn't have it.)

The best way to make a call with a proprietary multi-line phone, is to simply tap an unused "CO" line button, and immediately start dialing the number. You don't even have to wait for dial tone. In a digital system, you can tap a button programmed for one-touch automatic dialing, and it will choose a line, turn on the speaker and microphone, and dial the call. In some Panasomnic analog system, you first tap a line button or the SP-PHONE button, and then tap the programmed button.

The default programming in Panasonic systems is to connect you to the intercom when you pick up the handset. This setup encourages you to dial with the speakerphone instead of the handset -- a very sensible timesaver, since there is a good chance that your call won't be answered or you'll be put on hold for a while before you get to talk.

However, there are some people who insist on making calls the old-fashioned way, and the thoughtful folks at Panasonic have provided a way for you to grab an outside line when you pick-up the handset. The procedure is called Auto CO Hunting in analog systems and Preferred Line Assignment - Outgoing in digital systems. Look in the small manuals that are packed with each phone.

(2) Unnecessarily waiting for dial tone
Most people don't know it, but Panasonic systems have a really cool time-saving feature: a buffer memory in the dialing circuit. If you've just made a call, and want to call someone else, just tap the FLASH button, and immediately dial the second number. The digits you dial will be absorbed into the buffer, while the system waits until it hears dialtone from the phone company, and then it will spit out the digits and your call will go through.

(3) Using the handset to shut off the speaker
This silly time-waster really drives me nuts, and I've slapped people's hands when I've caught them doing this .

It's good to dial your calls hands-free, and then switch to a handset when a human being finally picks up. But if you don't reach a person, or if you used the speakerphone for the entire call, you can end the call by simply tapping the SP-PHONE button.

Lots of people, including my dear wife, and Paul Teutul Sr. from American Chopper, will quickly pick up the handset and immediately put it down, to hang-up a handsfree call. This wastes time, causes unnecessary wear on the phone, and really pisses me off!

If I see you doing it, I'll slap your hand, too. Don't do it! I'm serious. My wife has a sore hand to prove it. (However, I probably wouldn't slap Mr. Teutul.)