A multi-mode communication device having a scan optimizer capable of prioritizing scan frequencies for different radio access technologies (RATs) during a network search. The scan frequency prioritization may be based on various network coverage considerations associated with RAT availability, RAT density within a region, geographic location, historic attachment for the multi-mode device, an operation mode of the multi-mode device, etc. The multimode device can utilize its scan optimizer to generate an optimized scan schedule to be employed for a limited duration during a network search to improve its likelihood of success in detecting and/or attaching to a network associated with a prioritized RAT. A default scan schedule having equal scan frequency prioritization can be employed by the multi-mode device at a time when the limited duration of the optimized scan schedule expires and no networks associated with a prioritized RAT have been acquired.