You can use the Call Parking feature in FreePBX 17 to temporarily place an active call into a 'parking slot' so that it can be picked up from any other extension or device on the system. This is particularly useful in an office environment where a call needs to be transferred to someone who might be away from their desk.

The standard feature code for parking a call in FreePBX is *85.

To Park a Call (from your handset or softphone):

1. While on an active call: Press the *85 feature code on your phone's dial pad.
2. Listen for the Parking Slot Number: The system will announce the parking slot number where the call has been placed (e.g., "Call parked on 701"). Make a note of this number as it is needed to retrieve the call.
3. End the call: Hang up your phone. The original caller is now on hold in the parking slot.

To Pickup a Parked Call (from any handset or softphone):

1. Dial the parking slot number: From any extension on the system, dial the parking slot number that was announced when the call was parked (e.g., 701).
2. Connect to the call: You will be connected to the parked call.

Common Scenarios:

• Transferring to an unknown extension: If you need to transfer a call but are unsure which extension the person is at, you can park the call and then announce the parking slot number over an intercom or internal chat.
• Holding a call for a colleague: Instead of transferring directly, you can park a call for a colleague who might be busy or in another part of the office, allowing them to pick it up when ready.

Important Notes:

• Parking Slot Expiration: Parked calls typically have an expiration timeout. If a parked call is not retrieved within a certain period (configured in FreePBX), it will usually ring back to the extension that originally parked it.
• Multiple Parking Slots: FreePBX can be configured with multiple parking slots. When you dial *85, the system will automatically assign the call to the next available slot.