Anyone have ONSTAR?

[kpgclark]

They have to have a warrant to listen. What's the difference between that and tapping your home phone? Whether we like it or not we are tracked. If you have a device that lets you automatically pay tolls, they know when you're on the highway. When you use your credit card, your whereabouts are known. When you use your cell phone, your approximate whereabouts are known. What's the big deal?

 

[robinb]

The big deal is that we Americans are giving up more and more of our civil rights for the sake of "Security". As you pointed out, we have already begun to slide down that slippery slope. {shrug} I don't care if you have OnStar. I was stating why I don't have OnStar. And Nick ... the FBI did listen to the conversation in the car. It can be done. And with our new emphases on Homeland Security orders for wiretaps of all flavors are on the rise. You just never know when you will be next.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by robinb
The big deal is that we Americans are giving up more and more of our civil rights for the sake of "Security".

Why don't you tell that to the people that lost loved ones on 9/11. Innocent people have nothing to hide.

 

[trishy]

Thank you Nick - Totally agree

As far as Onstar, it came with our Suburban and I didn't use it the entire year. So, I figured, "Okay, I won't use it; therefore I don't need it." Well a few months after I let it run out, dh locked the keys in the car (I swear it wasn't me) so we called Onstar and they were nice enough to renew it ($$$) right then and proceeded to unlock the car for us. Shortly after that, our 'check engine' light came on and they were able to do a diagnostic on that - which sure helps a woman when dealing with mechanics if you know what I mean. Anyway, even if you have a cell phone, there are areas where reception is weak or nonexistent. God forbid you should ever get into a horrible accident on an isolated road somewhere, but at least Onstar would know where you are and send emergency vehicles to you. I feel it's worth it. We don't have the GPS - the guy who renewed us said an operator would "guide" us (that's how he explained it to me). It makes me feel safer, and if Onstar doesn't like my sometimes "choice words" while I'm on the road, they haven't complained yet...

 

[hydster]

It came with a year on our Tahoe and I didnt think much about it but after locking my keys in my car 3 times (yeah yeah) it will be worth it to me just in locksmith charges alone!

As for the FBI listening to my conversation...if they want to hear my swear in traffic or sing be my guest. We use the phone only in emergency or to find out what kind of drink the kids want with the chicken nugget kids meal not to talk about terroristic activity or something illegal! If I ever have the need to do that I'll do what Tony Soprano does and go into my basement with the furnace going!

Also as for it saving your life..it saved the life of my daughter so you can be cynical about it all you want but having someone calmly walk me through the heimlich maneuver on my own daughter when I couldnt even think what my name is, is much more comforting! If I hadnt had someone talk me through it I highly doubt I would have 3 kids right now! And I was too far away from a hospital or fire station to drive there. Apparently you've never been in a really stressful situation with one of your kids and had your mind go blank. And just like the "fear mongering" commercial my son thought about pressing the on-star button.

Also someone said that they wished the onstar phone would repeat the number but on our car at least (2003 Tahoe LT) it puts the number on the screen thing where it has the driver 1 or driver 2 information. Also we found the #2 thing is annoying as well but if you lower your tone about 2 pitches and go lower it usually helps!

Heidi

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
Why don't you tell that to the people that lost loved ones on 9/11. Innocent people have nothing to hide.

Ooooohhh! The ghosts of 9/11. That's always an debate ender .

Innocent people like us are given rights by the Constitution. I would prefer not to have my constitutional rights trampled on. What you do, is up to you.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by hydster
Also as for it saving your life..it saved the life of my daughter so you can be cynical about it all you want but having someone calmly walk me through the heimlich maneuver on my own daughter when I couldnt even think what my name is, is much more comforting! If I hadnt had someone talk me through it I highly doubt I would have 3 kids right now!

Heidi,

I'm glad that things worked out for you and your daughter .

 

[kpgclark]

Trishy-- are you saying that even if you don't renew your subscription you can still use the system? If that's true then if a person really only needed the system for an emergency why would he/she take the subscription if he/she could just call them and pay for the service on the spot?

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by robinb
Innocent people like us are given rights by the Constitution. I would prefer not to have my constitutional rights trampled on.

Innocent people

could care less who listens in on there conversations whether in a car or anywhere.

 

[kpgclark]

It's like complaining that security goes through your luggage at the airport. It seems like half the time our bags are searched and have a little note in them. I say "good job!" It's anonymous. I don't care if they see my undies. It is for the greater good.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Nick@ VB+OKW
Innocent people

could care less who listens in on there conversations whether in a car or anywhere.

Nick ... can you find me a coke-spitting smiley? That's one of the funniest things I've read in a long time.

Well, I guess I am not innocent in your little corner of the world then since I would prefer to keep my private conversations just that: private!


Hmmm ... Since I'm not innocent, I wonder what kind of nefarious evil-doer I am. This'll take some time, but I'll get back to you when I figure it all out!

 

[trishy]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Trishy-- are you saying that even if you don't renew your subscription you can still use the system? If that's true then if a person really only needed the system for an emergency why would he/she take the subscription if he/she could just call them and pay for the service on the spot?

This is how it happened. My dh was over at his mother's house (she lives about a mile away) and locked the keys inside the 'burb. He called me at home and asked me to contact Onstar which I did (we don't have a spare key because a few weeks prior HE left my spare set of keys on the back of the 'burb and lost them). Anyway, I called Onstar, told them what happened, they asked me about which plan I wanted and decided on the level I wanted, then renewed the subscription, he unlocked the 'burb and we were up and running. So yes, I could see someone renewing it, using it for a service, and then cancelling it afterwards, though I'm not sure about whether there's a period of time - maybe a month or more that you have to subscribe for. I didn't use it as a 'pay for service' type of deal; I subscribed for a year and paid for the year - maybe my post was confusing (not the first time ).

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by robinb
Nick ... can you find me a coke-spitting smiley? That's one of the funniest things I've read in a long time. [/SIZE]

 

[robinb]

Thanks! I needed that!