A method is disclosed for improving the efficiency of the packet data channel by interrupting transmissions from or to a first mobile station so as to allow a short message to be communicated between the communication system and a different mobile station. The packet channel feedback information includes several flags: Received/Not Received (R/N); Partial Echo (PE); and Partial Echo Qualifier (PEQ). The PEQ allows the communication system to interrupt the transmission to one mobile station to send a short message to another mobile station. By setting the PEQ to various values, a mobile station can determine whether subchannel ownership has been temporarily interrupted and reassigned to another station.