An exemplary method for selecting one of a plurality of systems on a multi-mode device capable of communicating on a first air interface technology and a second air interface technology is disclosed. Initially, a carrier input associated with one of the first and second air interface technologies is received. The carrier input typically defines at least one system selection event. Next, a first network acquisition attempt of the other one of the first and second air interface technologies is triggered responsive to the system selection event. The results of the first network acquisition attempt are determined and stored, and subsequently used for subsequent system selection determinations between the first and second air interface technologies.