A method and apparatus for scheduling short uplink transmissions on a mobile communication device. Embodiments of the invention include a method of scheduling an uplink transmission on a mobile communication device. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes establishing a predetermined uplink delay time, and generating an uplink message. The method further includes determining that an audio event is occurring on the mobile communication device, and monitoring an audio amplitude of the audio event. The method further includes transmitting the uplink message when the first of either a pause in the audio event is detected or when the predetermined uplink delay time has elapsed.