AT&T hiring temps to control iPhone crowds at retail stores

[AppleInsider]

Exclusive: Wireless carrier AT&T is taking no chances when it comes this month's Apple iPhone launch and is hiring temporary staff to manage, attend to, and control crowds at many of its 1800 retail stores nationwide.

One person familiar with the matter tells AppleInsider that he was originally recruited to fill one of the positions through an temp agency that was in contact with his college's career center.

"I was hired by AT&T to a Product Pro position for the summer," said the source. "However, it is not my job to sell the iPhone, but rather simply control the crowds."

Temp AT&T employees will reportedly be tasked with a few other duties, such as greeting customers, funneling the flow of non-iPhone traffic, and handling minor technical support issues. Their tenure will span early June through early August.

"It's estimated that the launch will hit us hard," the source said. "I will be making sure that waiting customers don't get angry."

Apple and AT&T retail locations are expecting a tremendous turnout come the June 29th iPhone launch, partly due to an Apple-stated policy that mandates the device be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Apple is actively enforcing the policy, said the source, who notes that even chief executive Steve Jobs is doing his part to assure everyone has a fair shot at iPhone come the final Friday of the month.

When Jobs learned that some AT&T stores had begun compiling unofficial waiting lists, he fired off a personal email to store managers informing them that this was a no-no.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[BRussell]

"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by BRussell

"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?

Probably.

Speaking of iPhones, I'll trade someone an 80gig iPod, an unlocked Blackberry Pearl and some cash for one when they're released. Stupid Canada.

[EruIthildur]

Geez, I hope that doesn't mean I won't be able to get myself on the local managers list anymore. Stupid Jobs.

[kenaustus]

It might actually be easier to stay up the night before and order one when they are available on the Apple on-line store. Don't know if that will be one minute after midnight (EDT?) or sometime in the wee hours of the morning, but at least you'll be comfortable, have all the coffee you want and have a bathroom close to rid yourself of the coffee.

If I was buying one the first month I would stick to the on-line store as the Apple & ATT Stores will be chaos - and probably sold out by the time I got to the head of the line.

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

Probably.

Speaking of iPhones, I'll trade someone an 80gig iPod, an unlocked Blackberry Pearl and some cash for one when they're released. Stupid Canada.

I'm almost certain I won't be able to get one in my state (no AT&T).

[andrewjnyc]

Originally Posted by EruIthildur

Geez, I hope that doesn't mean I won't be able to get myself on the local managers list anymore. Stupid Jobs.

More like "Super cool and smart Jobs!" If waiting lists existed, there would be way too much potential for abuse and corruption via shady managers giving choice spots to their friends, etc. Steve is being admirably equitable, IMHO.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by BRussell

"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?

Hey, there are a bunch of out of work L.A. cops that are available. Just keep illegal immigrants out of their striking distance.

[Charko]

The hype is getting so hot that it's turning into a sort of exponential-hype mode; which in turn, if not kept under control, could turn into black-hole hype, which would then suck all matter into another dimension, probably into the dreaded Jobs Reality Distortion Field.

[Matthew Yohe]

Did I miss something or does AppleInsider have an artist now?

[artse]

Frankly, I think it is Jobs just trying to make a bigger spectacle...

[Marvin]

Originally Posted by BRussell

"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?

Pink Zunes. People will run screaming.

I imagine we will see the whole mugging, killing deal with the iphone just like we did with the consoles.

[nmcphers]

Originally Posted by Charko

The hype is getting so hot that it's turning into a sort of exponential-hype mode; which in turn, if not kept under control, could turn into black-hole hype, which would then suck all matter into another dimension, probably into the dreaded Jobs Reality Distortion Field.

There is nothing stronger than Apple product hype (exponential-hype mode, black-hole hype, whatever you call it). Jobs Reality Distortion Field is strong and can initiate hype, but not stronger than hype. My whole point is your physics is a little off and JRDF cannot exist within a black-hole hype.

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Exclusive: Wireless carrier AT&T is taking no chances when it comes this month's Apple iPhone launch and is hiring temporary staff to manage, attend to, and control crowds at many of its 1800 retail stores nationwide.

Lets hope they don't make the same mistake the Rolling Stones did when they went out to hire extra security.

Hmmm I was going to find some crazy site to link to but lets see if anyone else here old enough to know what I'm talking about?! Oh and yes, it is cheating if you simply use google to find the answer...

Dave

[tomkarl]

Originally Posted by DaveGee

Lets hope they don't make the same mistake the Rolling Stones did when they went out to hire extra security.

Hmmm I was going to find some crazy site to link to but lets see if anyone else here old enough to know what I'm talking about?! Oh and yes, it is cheating if you simply use google to find the answer...

Dave

I'm old enough to have read about the Angels/Stones incident.

[pixelcruncher]

They issued me a nightstick and some pepper spray. Look forward to seeing everyone June 29! Don't take anything personally, what happens on iPhone Release Day stays on iPhone Release Day!

[melgross]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

Probably.

Speaking of iPhones, I'll trade someone an 80gig iPod, an unlocked Blackberry Pearl and some cash for one when they're released. Stupid Canada.

Why? You won't be able to use it anyway.

[melgross]

I can't see Jobs writing to ATT store managers, even with a form letter.

What ATT does is none of Apple's business. If Apple won't take customer lists, that's one thing, but ATT is another company, and I can't see why Jobs would even care.

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by melgross

Why? You won't be able to use it anyway.

I trust that unlocking will happen quickly (if they aren't sold unlocked). I don't care about visual voicemail for now, though I'm sure Rogers will have that sorted out for their launch.

It'll be a really nice iPod, too.

Can't I just want one?!

[DaveGee]

Originally Posted by tomkarl

I'm old enough to have read about the Angels/Stones incident.

Close enough...



Dave

[eAi]

It doesn't really matter if they're unlocked or not - Apple get to sell a phone, which they aren't going to sell without a contract. So either way, both Apple and AT&T are happy.

[Corkurk]

Originally Posted by tomkarl

I'm old enough to have read about the Angels/Stones incident.

If I remember correctly (I'm playing fair and not Googling) the Stones hired the Hell's Angels for security at one of their shows. Don't remember the city, but I think it may have been in CA. Midway through one of the fans ended up stabbed by an Angel as I recall.

Yeah...that would be a bad roll-out for the iPhone...

I can see the ad now:

"this is how you hold the iPhone while running,

this is how you use the iPhone to try to shield yourself,

this is how you dial 9-1-1"

fade to the Apple logo.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

I trust that unlocking will happen quickly (if they aren't sold unlocked). I don't care about visual voicemail for now, though I'm sure Rogers will have that sorted out for their launch.

I don't know how that works in The Great White North, so I can't say if it would work later, when Rogers starts selling them (assuming they do). If not, it's quite a risk.

It'll be a really nice iPod, too.

Aside for the paltry memory that you would be getting for a $500 or $600 iPod. If Apple decided to lose money on the device for the first nine months, and had installed 16 GB and 32 GB, then yes, that'd be different.

Can't I just want one?!

Of course! You're SUPPOSED to want one. My wife already wants one. I want one too, if third party apps show up, and the ones I want, and need, are there. 3G would be a need as well, if I'm going to replace my Sprint 700p high speed with this.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Corkurk

If I remember correctly (I'm playing fair and not Googling) the Stones hired the Hell's Angels for security at one of their shows. Don't remember the city, but I think it may have been in CA. Midway through one of the fans ended up stabbed by an Angel as I recall.

Yeah...that would be a bad roll-out for the iPhone...

I can see the ad now:

"this is how you hold the iPhone while running,

this is how you use the iPhone to try to shield yourself,

this is how you dial 9-1-1"

fade to the Apple logo.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't that in the movie, Gimme Shelter?.... yep, turns out it was.

[audiopollution]

Originally Posted by melgross

Of course! You're SUPPOSED to want one. My wife already wants one. I want one too, if third party apps show up, and the ones I want, and need, are there. 3G would be a need as well, if I'm going to replace my Sprint 700p high speed with this.

Conspicuous consumption is ok, in my book.

[melgross]

Originally Posted by audiopollution

Conspicuous consumption is ok, in my book.

Well, I'm very conspicuous.

[EruIthildur]

Originally Posted by andrewjnyc

More like "Super cool and smart Jobs!" If waiting lists existed, there would be way too much potential for abuse and corruption via shady managers giving choice spots to their friends, etc. Steve is being admirably equitable, IMHO.

I guess...

I don't think equity is what is driving his desire for no waiting lists... Well actually, it is, just a different type then your post suggests.

[EagerDragon]

Originally Posted by BRussell

"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?

Gas and riot control gear

[Wings]

Remember the opening day of Zune sales? They must have had thousands of people hired for crowd control that day. Remember that? C'mon, sure you do.

They did, didn't they?

huh?

[bobrk]

Originally Posted by kenaustus

It might actually be easier to stay up the night before and order one when they are available on the Apple on-line store. Don't know if that will be one minute after midnight (EDT?) or sometime in the wee hours of the morning, but at least you'll be comfortable, have all the coffee you want and have a bathroom close to rid yourself of the coffee.

If I was buying one the first month I would stick to the on-line store as the Apple & ATT Stores will be chaos - and probably sold out by the time I got to the head of the line.

This is a great idea, but what if you want to upgrade a current AT&T account? Will you be able to do that online?

[melgross]

Originally Posted by Wings

Remember the opening day of Zune sales? They must have had thousands of people hired for crowd control that day. Remember that? C'mon, sure you do.

They did, didn't they?

huh?

Well, sure. But they had to have someone in the stores other than the salespeople.

[Elixir]

i'm prob getting an iphone come the 29th but i'm wondering about the plans, if the plans are really bad value then screw it.

[ecking]

Originally Posted by melgross

Well, sure. But they had to have someone in the stores other than the salespeople.

[TBaggins]

Originally Posted by BRussell

"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?

Nope. One word: Tasers.

Either that, or you'll be implanted with a pain chip in your neck in exchange for being let through the front door.


Alright, alright, I'll form an orderly line now.

.

[donlphi]

Originally Posted by artse

Frankly, I think it is Jobs just trying to make a bigger spectacle...

Absolutely... THE PS3 effect. Lines = News = Free Publicity (as if nobody will be talking about it).

Hopefully it sells better than the PS3

[a_greer]

ATTN vidiographers:

This place is crawling with videophiles...so I figured I would toss this idea out: spend 6/29 at an att store rolling tape, maybe doing interviews...go to a store where there are no local tv affiliates and if something does go down, sell the footage to the affiliates, and if it is really good, sell it to the networks/cable channels

a quick $500 with no post work.

[a_greer]

Originally Posted by donlphi

Absolutely... THE PS3 effect. Lines = News = Free Publicity (as if nobody will be talking about it).

Hopefully it sells better than the PS3

It will be another PS3 if there is no price cuts: 500$ and a 2 year contract==a sucker-only item

Apple is a great brand, but so was Sony: not too long ago, the Playstation was just like the iPod is now...technology is cyclical.

A blackberry can be had for ~$200 and it has most of what the iphone has...the iPod is actually priced comparably to the competition, the iPhone is not...

[a_greer]

Why do people keep treating the iPhone like a stand-alone device? it is a dongle...as a stand-alone device, it would be worth that price, but without the (minimum) $40/Mo voice and ~$35/Mo data plans it is a BRICK!

the entry level model should be priced in the $250-350 range.

[128pluspb100siduo230]

Oh so long ago. Well now the Hells Angels are a bunch of dentist on chrome so it wouldn't be so bad. Wait a minute dentist with chrome toys that would be painful.

We're talking Jobs here, it oughta be a bunch of Buddists teaching us equanimity and then we all walk away not caring about no stinkin iGottas.

Isn't there some rule that if we where there we wouldn't remember it and so if we remember it we must not have been there. It was the 60's and we where stoned.

[mstone]

Originally Posted by 128pluspb100siduo230

Oh so long ago. Well now the Hells Angels are a bunch of dentist on chrome so it wouldn't be so bad. Wait a minute dentist with chrome toys that would be painful.

We're talking Jobs here, it oughta be a bunch of Buddists teaching us equanimity and then we all walk away not caring about no stinkin iGottas.

Isn't there some rule that if we where there we wouldn't remember it and so if we remember it we must not have been there. It was the 60's and we where stoned.

Wrong Planet?