🚀 go-pugleaf

>      AT&T is, as far as I'm concerned, the best phone company for my
> needs and I would like to stay with it for my dial 1 access, but they
> are quite hostile when it comes to equal access. I
> called my operator and asked him what was wrong with trying to use
> 10xxx on my non-ESS # (I didn't at that time remember that it wasn't
> under ESS *sigh*), but he simply gave me the run-around:
> 
> "I am trying to use the 10 equal-access system and keep  getting
> an error message. Can you help me, please?"
> "Use 228 for AT&T, sir."
> "I know; I want to use an ALDS, not AT&T for this call."
> "Sorry sir, I don't know anything about that."
> 
> After remembering that the line I was trying to use wasn't ESS, I gave
> up on trying to do it, but what is the problem with the operators?
> They never used to be this hostile.  "Life sure was
> easier before the break-up... had to have been one of the only
> things that worked in this country..."

Of course the operator encouraged you to use 288 -- you were NOT talking
to an ALDS operator.  Do you think that an MCI or SPRINT operator (if
such exist) would gladly tell you how to use AT&T??!!

Remember, the telecommunications world has changed.  You the consumer
are now getting the competitive telecommunications services the Justice
Department and the Courts have ordered.  It is tough, but AT&T is
learning how to survive and do business in this non-Bell-System
environment.  A good way to NOT survive is to tell your customers how
to easily use your competitor's services!  (Although, maybe they will
decide that they are willing to pay the small differential in cost to
get decent quality lines after sampling the alternatives!).

					Rich Strebendt
					...!ihnp4!iwsl6!res