In a mobile communication device, a method for determining the existence of one or more pending messages, the method including exiting from a power-save mode of operation, in which the mobile communication device does not receive messages; selecting for communication, one of a plurality of communication paths, the selecting based on at least one of a plurality of conditions associated with the one of the plurality of communication paths; and attempting to communicate over the one of the plurality of communication paths to check for pending messages. The plurality of communication paths includes at least a first and a second communication path. The attempting to communicate over the one of the plurality of communication paths includes attempting to communicate over the first communication path to check for the pending messages by communicating with a message server over the first communication path.