A method and system whereby a customer automatically receives an assignment on his wireless device without the need to visit a reservation desk. When the customer initially makes a reservation with a vendor, a computer records the wireless device's identification. When the customer arrives at or near the vendor's location, the system creates an out-of-range condition for the wireless device by shielding a portion of a location that the customer will be passing through. In response, the wireless device re-scans the control channels in an attempt to establish better communications with a wireless communication tower. A transceiver positioned in the transition zone transmits a channel that is detected and locked-on by the wireless device. The wireless device transmits it identification to the transceiver, which in turn forwards it to the computer. The computer sends assignment information to the wireless device.