Slash Lane
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.
"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.
Stephen Silver
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
45 Comments
"Control crowds?" Are they going to use fire hoses and dogs?
"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.
Geez, I hope that doesn't mean I won't be able to get myself on the local managers list anymore. Stupid Jobs.
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.
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).