A hybrid access terminal is a Wireless Communication Device (WCD) capable of operating over different types of communication networks. An exemplary WCD operates on both IS-2000 and IS-856 networks, and is capable of inter-system handoffs between these two types of networks. Such capabilities enable the exemplary WCD to provide voice, data and short messaging services on IS-2000 networks, and also to provide high speed packet data service on IS-856 networks. A method of operating on different networks includes establishing a data session on the first network, detecting a request for a packet data service, handing-off the data session to a second network, detecting a dormancy of the data session, transitioning to a dormant state and initiating a Dormancy time-out period when the dormancy is detected, and monitoring both the first network and the second network for paging messages while in the dormant state.