AT&T preps landlords for iPhone campers

Those who've started taking notes in order to keep track of all the iPhone launch details still floating in can add one more, and thankfully for those worried about their own safety come next Friday, you'll be relieved to know that this one involves crowd control. Two documents outlining how managers should "prepare landlords for the iPhone launch" explain that stanchions (you know, those annoying cattle herders that keep you in order whilst waiting in the airport) should be made available at almost any cost, so it's pretty safe to say they know you (and your posse) are coming. Additionally, it's noted that AT&T stores will be staying open only until 10:00PM unless individual managers choose to keep the overtime clocks a-rollin', and venues located within enclosed malls will be closing at their normal times. Guess we can't blame 'em for trying to make us all happy campers.

[Concura @ Jun 21st 2007 8:44AM]

anyone here standing in line?

-Concura

[Concura @ Jun 21st 2007 8:45AM]

i mean camping out, lol

[John @ Jun 21st 2007 8:49AM]

On the, "you should be shot" theme. If you are in Jacksonville FL and standing in line at the Southside Cingular I will be driving by with my paintball gun, just as an FYI. ;)

[7of7 @ Jun 21st 2007 8:57AM]

I was thinking tear gas, but you really can't go wrong with drive by paintballing.

[Adam Jackson @ Jun 21st 2007 9:14AM]

John. I'll be in the St. Augustine Cingular.

http://upcoming.yahoo.com/event/204307/

Paintball that one instead. the Southside Cingular is full of losers.

[Ken @ Jun 21st 2007 8:56AM]

Under "Crowd Control Devices", "Taser" and "Electric Cattle Prod" are both listed as "acceptible alternatives if stanchions are unavailable."

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jun 21st 2007 2:18PM]

FREE coffee, tea, soup and freshly buttered rolls are the best forms of crowd control :)

[Mile @ Jun 21st 2007 8:58AM]

Stanchions? We don't need no stinkin' stanchions!

BTW, are we all going to wear our SpiderMan 3 underwear for good luck (for those of us camping out)?

[Mystic @ Jun 21st 2007 9:00AM]

Further down the page it talks about where they can find water canons and pepper spray for bears.

[Josef F @ Jun 21st 2007 9:02AM]

Can;t wait for all the internet photos of practically empty AT&T stores decked out with stanchions and taser-toting security guards.

[John @ Jun 21st 2007 9:05AM]

/me crosses fingers

[Alexander @ Jun 21st 2007 12:15PM]

I knew I wasn't the only one thinking that!

[Jagannath A @ Jun 21st 2007 9:02AM]

and as a aditional security measure u will be air lifted from store and dropped in house to prevent theft. which costs an additional $100+tax :P

/lol jk

[FermitTheKrog @ Jun 21st 2007 10:06AM]

100 bucks for an airlift? That's a steal.

[Jagannath A @ Jun 22nd 2007 1:47AM]

oops i left a couple of zeros :D

[Homeboy @ Jun 21st 2007 9:03AM]

There is a big risk that a franzy a'la PS3-launch will be taking place in the US on the 29th June.

So don't forget to buy a pair on nunchucks prior to camping becasue it might get ugly.

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 21st 2007 9:04AM]

You have to admit; Apple and AT&T are doing a pretty decent job (on paper at least). I hope Sony is paying attention.

[Romey Rome @ Jun 21st 2007 9:52AM]

They're doing this in response to the chaos that ensued when the PS3 was released. I'm sure that retailers already have a good idea of what to expect when highly anticipated electronics are released and millions of fanboys call in for sick days at work

[Josef F @ Jun 21st 2007 10:35AM]

I think it's Apple that ought to be paying attention to Sony, inasmuch as Sony recently had their own overhyped and overpriced product that is now gathering dust on store shelves everywhere.

[Arthur @ Jun 21st 2007 9:23AM]

I'm really wondering if there will be that many lines. It's a hotly anticipated product, but I would be surprised if many people will queue in lines rather than wait a day or two.

[Constable Odo @ Jun 21st 2007 9:30AM]

Newspaper Headlines:
Oprah Winfrey shows off her personal iPhone on national TV.
Mayors to call out National Guard to quell riots due to potential iPhone users cutting ahead in four-block long lines.
High incidences of iPhone purchasers having their iPhones jacked as soon as they leave AT&T stores.
Cases of a few women removing their tops and offering favors to move up in the line. Rumors of men offering the same favors to move up in the line.
Psychiatric help for those who waited in line for days only to reach the store and find out that the store just sold out the last iPhone.
Rumors that AT&T employees have already made deals with friends who wanted the iPhone and there are no iPhones left for those waiting in line.
Nobody is allowed to use cellphones on the AT&T network. So many iPhone users dialing their phones that the whole network collapses.
Largest one-day sale of any communications device since man stood erect. Three million iPhones sold in one day. The record will stand until the release of the iPhone 2.

[h8rain @ Jun 21st 2007 9:30AM]

How funny would it be they expect with HUGE turnout, with tons of people in line, and like 4 people at each store are waiting. I mean how many AT&T store are there in comparison to Apple stores?

BTW, if it where not for the fact I have to use Nextel, I would probably get one.

[Jon @ Jun 21st 2007 9:36AM]

I will buy one on the 29th, "if" there is no line. There is no way that I'm waiting in a long line for something that really don't need.

[Steve @ Jun 21st 2007 9:36AM]

Anyone else but me not understand why the iPhone is being released at 6:00pm on a Friday? So now you have to pay overtime and have huge tech support available in the evening and weekend of the launch. Why not just do it on a Monday at 9:00am?

[h8rain @ Jun 21st 2007 9:47AM]

This just in:
"Things sold on eBay and other auction sites, sell better on Friday nights, therefore more profit will be made. To top this....What that only applies to auction sites, and not retail phone stores. AH $@#%!"

[Scott @ Oct 15th 2007 10:14PM]

Dunno about Friday, but it's 6pm so that normal working-hours folks can get off work and have a chance to get there (and get in line) with the folks who just have way too much time on their hands. :P

[Mile @ Jun 21st 2007 9:50AM]

What color and model iPod is everyone going to be wearing in line? It would be cool if all us Engadget campers all had the same model - maybe we would all get on TV and we could all sit together and talk iPhone stuff!

[Ellianth @ Jun 21st 2007 10:20AM]

I hope you'll be standing in he line that that other guy is gonna be shooting paint balls at.

[tim @ Jun 21st 2007 10:00AM]

iLine for iLosers

[John Doe @ Jun 21st 2007 11:34AM]

lol, i bet his sister is 7 and his mom is dead

[MDB @ Jun 21st 2007 12:05PM]

That makes it even hotter

[ScOObyDoo @ Jun 21st 2007 10:16AM]

Fingers crossed that by monday morning someone has hacked the simlock and has it working on T-mobile.

[Constable Odo @ Jun 21st 2007 10:36AM]

So how many New Yorkers are going to attend the mass iPhone gathering at Sheep Meadow in Central Park. I believe it's supposed to start about 11:00 PM on the 29th. There are going to be a number of celebrities, but unfortunately Paris Hilton will be a no-show. Mayor Bloomberg is supposed to attend to show off his iPhone. There's a rumor that even Steve Jobs may show up and leak information about iPhone 2. The first 1,000 iPhone owners to show up will receive Gucci iPhone protectors.

A representative from the Guinness Book of Records will be there to record the largest iPhone gathering in the world. There will be a number of events such as the Blackberry crushing (using a bulldozer) and Nokia smartphone tossing events. They were going to have a Palm Treo burning, but due to air pollution regulations, they had to cancel that event.
This gathering is supposed to rival Woodstock because you'll be able to hook up your iPhones to a massive soundsystem and boogie the night away. Save some of that iPhone memory for storing the telephone numbers of all the beautiful ladies attending.

This iPhone owner gathering is supposed to be semi-secretive and only the most elite will attend. By elite, I mean iPhone owners only. More info of this event is supposed to be released in the coming days. So bring your iPhones to Sheep Meadow and be a part of history. I hope to see all you there.

[Martin @ Jun 21st 2007 11:08AM]

In reality you're just going to be there on your own hiding behind a tree to mug everyone who thinks it's real...

[Constable Odo @ Jun 21st 2007 9:59PM]

Psst, Martin. Yo dog, you got the same idea. That's just between you and me and a few of my tightest gang members.

[Big Mac @ Jun 21st 2007 11:02AM]

I am glad these guys are getting prepared but honestly.... I really doubt any cingular stores are going to be selling out. Everyone I have talked to said the iphone is too expensive. at 150-200 units per store, and um about 5 Cingular stores and an Apple store in the immidiate area, I really don't think they are going to sell out. I will get there a little early, but I really don't even expect a line. (Hope)

I think they are worried about it because of the whole Wii/PS3/360 launch day troubles, but the demand for this product is much lower,... half the people in line for those things were mommies getting units for little spoiled bobbys. Anyhow I hope I don't see a line at my store... Everyone stay home the iphone is too expensive and over-rated, waste of money dont buy one. ;)

[Karl L. Gechlik @ Jun 21st 2007 11:22AM]

Keep up the optimism Big Mac!

[Natedog @ Jun 21st 2007 11:39AM]

Smash my iPhone!

[ypod @ Jun 21st 2007 1:15PM]

Yeah dude, can't wait for this, I will put my 5 bucks in.

www.smashmyiphone.com

[Mile @ Jun 21st 2007 2:21PM]

Nate! Dawg!

[Beamey @ Jun 21st 2007 11:47AM]

Living in a small rural town now has its benefits. I have the whole AT&T store to myself. No one here but myself really cares about the iPhone

[RD @ Jun 21st 2007 11:55AM]

I spoke to an AT&T manager and ask what the best way to get the iPhone. I told him my situation that I already have Cingular for another year, he suggest I just get the iPhone at the Apple store and buy the iphone and pop my SIM card in and call AT&T to activate my data plan, otherwise, if I wanted to sign up a new contract , I would go to the AT&T retail store.

[Don @ Jun 21st 2007 12:13PM]

I hope AT&T's prep is better than their suggested conversational grammar:

"Landlord: Unfortunately we do not have any stanchions that you may be available to you."

Uggh.

[Aaron @ Jun 21st 2007 12:45PM]

Dang, AT&T is cheap. The first option for crowd control is to see if the store can "borrow" the barriers?!?!

AT&T is going to make a boat load of money for at least the next two years (c'mon iPhone fanatics, even you have to admit beyond the high price of the phone itself, you know AT&T is going to continue to give you the shaft in monthly charges).

They should at least pony up the cash to provide their stores with decent crowd control apparatus.

[James @ Jun 21st 2007 12:50PM]

Anyone in line before noon on the 29th in Southern California: I'm paying bums and gang members to harass you. You've been warned.

Just start forming a line at a normal time and don't ruin it for everybody. Thanks.

[Steve_Jobs_Is_A_Genius @ Jun 21st 2007 1:07PM]

I can guarentee that those standing in the line for the iphone will have a significantly lower IQ than those who don't buy the iphone. I predict that the IQ of those standing in line will average out at around 1 to 1.5 standard deviations below mean IQ. As a result, the distribution of the IQ of those queuing for the iPhone is likely to be positively skewed. Purchasing the iPhone shows a significant lack of intelligence and inability to make one's own mind due to significant control by the media. Steve Jobs, with his being a clever man, will no doubt be laughing at the fools who have purchased his phone. Let's face it; the masses have never been able to think for themselves. Unfortunately, the "survival of the fittest" no longer applies these days, as it seems that even the retards of the world are living. And if they weren't? The iPhone would flop.

Conclusion: Steve Jobs = Genius; iPhone purchasers = genius' victims.

[Josephus @ Jun 21st 2007 1:38PM]

There's something of a point there, but you seriously undermine it by demonstrating that other fatal flaw of vaguely intelligent people who specialize and learn one extremely complex thing:

You don't make a ****ing whit of sense.

Frankly, it looks like a fine device, and as soon as it's not hideously expensive, and the first-generation users have accidentally discovered all the major flaws, I'd probably consider buying one. If you're so free from the control of the media, then how is it that they weild such power over what you hate, hmm? If you're really subjective, you'd be able to just wait until you can see one and judge it by it's merits.

Though, to be totally honest, I'm a little biased. I hate statisticians. Which is why I was compelled to post in the first place.

[Neal @ Jun 21st 2007 2:49PM]

Wait a sec...you had to read your own article from your own site to realize you didn't want one? You could do a better job of self promotion ;)

I don't think it will be everything people are expecting it to be, but then again, there is a lot of press, and a large portion of the public has no clue that there have been phones for years which can surf the internet, play music, etc (though Verizon, and some other carriers have been pimping the music, video, camera angles a lot more of late), and as a result those people will think it's incredible, without having a comparison since they have never used any other type of modern cell phone.

[John @ Jun 21st 2007 3:31PM]

Still trying to decide on wither or not to get one but did anyone else notice that they took down the "Requires 2 year contract" part in the adds? I also couldn't find it on the att site either.