diff --git a/airtime_mvc/application/models/Locale.php b/airtime_mvc/application/models/Locale.php
index 726302a82..e5ada5995 100644
--- a/airtime_mvc/application/models/Locale.php
+++ b/airtime_mvc/application/models/Locale.php
@@ -47,5 +47,22 @@ class Application_Model_Locale
         textdomain($domain);
         bind_textdomain_codeset($domain, $codeset);
     }
+    
+    /**
+     * We need this function for the case where a user has logged out, but 
+     * has an airtime_locale cookie containing their locale setting.
+     * 
+     * If the user does not have an airtime_locale cookie set, we default 
+     * to the station locale.
+     * 
+     * When the user logs in, the value set in the login form will be passed 
+     * into the airtime_locale cookie. This cookie is also updated when 
+     * a user updates their user settings.
+     */
+    public static function getUserLocale() {
+        $request = Zend_Controller_Front::getInstance()->getRequest();
+        $locale = $request->getCookie('airtime_locale', Application_Model_Preference::GetLocale());
+        return $locale;
+    }
 }