AT&T hiring temps to control iPhone crowds at retail stores
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.
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.
Comments
"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.
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.
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).
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.
"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.
"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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?!
I'm old enough to have read about the Angels/Stones incident.
Close enough...
Dave