iPhone madness hit or miss in Chicago

We just stopped by the Chicago Apple flagship store and were greeted by chaos -- at least 35 to 40 people in line and a media frenzy of interviews taking place. Tyler Tessmann, the first guy in line, had gotten there at 2:30 and was holding court with NBC 5, while the rest of the media patiently waited to pounce. The store seemed busy but ready -- employees told us that most of the prep was done, and that the store was closing down tomorrow just to manage to crowd flow.

We're pretty certain Tyler was trying to get her number.

Contrast that chaos to the large AT&T store just down the road on State Street, which was deserted except for Jason Cain and his girlfriend Claire Webb-Valez, who are being paid $15 an hour (!) to hold a place in line. When we got there the pair was sitting at the Jamba Juice patio next door, hanging out -- even the fact that the State Street AT&T store is literally next door to ABC 7 isn't enough to create a buzz at a non-Apple location, it seems.

[Lev M. @ Jun 28th 2007 11:20PM]

Hear that everyone, go to AT&T stores!

[humpty @ Jun 28th 2007 11:22PM]

I was watching the news... apparently some Canadians are going across the border to buy iphones.. how they will get them to work, i dunno.

Anyhoo.

[Jonhimslf @ Jun 28th 2007 11:50PM]

If they live on border towns (ie Niagara Falls, maybe Sarnia or Windsor) they might fall into AT&T's service. I know that sometimes at Niagara Falls my blackberry switches to US Roaming even when I'm still in Canada. Either that or they're just dumb and assume it'll work with Rogers... or they're really dumb and are just going to use the phone sparingly and pay the roaming charges?

[robert.stewart2 @ Jun 28th 2007 11:23PM]

i wish there was going to be a shortage and i could sell one on ebay like i did for the ps3... thats the only way i would wait in a line.

[Mike @ Jun 28th 2007 11:42PM]

so...wheres the follow up, did tyler get her number?

[brendan Sheehan jnr @ Jun 28th 2007 11:50PM]

This "first" business is getting old. Maybe your Engadget username should be Moron.

[monon @ Jun 28th 2007 11:52PM]

"This "first" business is getting old. Maybe your Engadget username should be Moron."
You are saying those people waiting in line to be "first" are morons? I Agree!

[michael @ Jun 29th 2007 12:07AM]

I don't want to sound mean, but I think it's kind of ridiculous to wait in line for the launch of the iPhone. The iPhone is probably one of the most anticipated product of 2007, but waiting in line for the launch? Considering that there should be plenty, since not everyone is going to get one?

I just seriously think it's kind of dumb to wait in lines for that. We've all pretty much seen it, and you aren't going to impress your buds any more than they already have been. So if you want to wait, go ahead. But you kind of look stupid in the eyes of most people.

[juan @ Jun 29th 2007 6:35AM]

mike, why do you think your opinion or views toward people who wait in order to secure a high demand purchase matters?

[Jay @ Jun 29th 2007 12:11AM]

I saw that news report (I live in Chicago) and I could only laugh at the guy talking about how "I have done this since I bought the Playstation 3." Seriously, all this iPhone coverage is more annoying as Paris Hilton coverage. These people waiting in line for 2 days are just attention whores. ABC 7 was at the same Toys'R'Us I bought my Wii from on launch day, but I didn't even know they were there because I was further down the line wrapped around the other side of the building. They didn't care that I showed up at 10:30, only an hour and a half in advance. They see the people with no lives as hard hitting news.

[John Doe @ Jun 29th 2007 1:16AM]

No. I have to disagree. the iPhone for all its coverage isn't a spoiled brat who deserves another 6 months in REAL jail to knock the attitude out of her.

[Jay @ Jun 29th 2007 12:13AM]

I saw that news report (I live in Chicago) and I could only laugh at the guy talking about how "I have done this since I bought the Playstation 3." Seriously, all this iPhone coverage is more annoying as Paris Hilton coverage. These people waiting in line for 2 days are just attention whores. ABC 7 was at the same Toys'R'Us I bought my Wii from on launch day, but I didn't even know they were there because I was further down the line wrapped around the other side of the building. They didn't care that I showed up at 10:30, only an hour and a half in advance. They see the people with no lives as hard hitting news.

[John @ Jun 29th 2007 12:14AM]

Hopefully this spotlights these ridiculous product campers... oh... wait... I camped out for Stones tickets in '89 and paid the right drastic sum of $30 each.

[Jay @ Jun 29th 2007 12:14AM]

sorry, double post

[Rick @ Jun 29th 2007 12:41AM]

What is truely sad is the amount of debt these people are going to get into with this need to have one immediately. You got to figure most of these individuals are either going to be paying for two cell phones or they are going to pay a few hundred dollars to break their current cell phone contract for starters. Secondly, most in line look young and poor. I guess its never too early to rack up massive debt. At least Apple and Jobs will get their money. Myself, I think this product is overhyped and will look like a 1st generation brick in a year or two. My phone contract is up at the end of August and I'm going to get me a helio ocean.

[nick4597 @ Jun 29th 2007 9:53AM]

Why would you assume people are 'young and poor' from observing them in line? Who would be getting into massive debt by purchasing a cell phone and paying for a service plan they probably were already paying before. Think you need to check yourself buddy.

[Rick @ Jun 29th 2007 10:27AM]

1) I'm not your buddy asshole. 2) I'm not saying the iphone is going to put them into massive debt retard but if these folks have to have every fad then yes they could amass debt very easily - the credit card companies LOVE young people. 3) You're right there could be a few young millionares waiting in line but I would guess that most of these young people live paycheck to paycheck. Maybe you should check yourself "Buddy".

[Moff @ Jun 29th 2007 12:51AM]

Well, I must say this looks like a failure to me. PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii all had more people in line. There are two people in line at some AT&T store?

iGadget (err engadget I mean) has really covered this to retarded proportions. I am weathering the storm here and trying to stay with you guys (I'm sure others are having a hard time though).

[John Doe @ Jun 29th 2007 1:13AM]

I would laugh my ass off if there was an accidental fire in one of the Apple stores. Half the people in line would probably have to be rushed to the hospital for smoke inhalation due to diving into the store trying to rescue the iPhones. forget about me! Save the iPhones! *tries to crawl back into the flaming building* The sad part is I'm 100% certain there is at least a handful of people in one of those lines willing to do just that.

[Aaron @ Jun 29th 2007 2:02AM]

Ah, I can only imagine the horrified looks on the faces of the campers as their precious iPhones were destroyed before they could even touch them. I sort of hope that happens, if only to see the awesome pictures...

[Adoniteking @ Jun 29th 2007 1:29AM]

hey brendan....i bet you thought that was gonna get you highest ranked..LMAO!!!

[Revrant2394 @ Jun 29th 2007 3:18AM]

I bet he did, you should know better in a crapshoot of teenagers.

[Revrant2394 @ Jun 29th 2007 3:20AM]

This is one of the funnier Engadget articles I've read in a while, usually I find they're too snide and condescending, as well as sarcastic, to be at all funny. This however, this made me laugh, so, to quote the end of every FPS match out there, GG.

As for the iPhone craze, I don't even own a cell phone, don't care.

[arben @ Jun 29th 2007 4:16AM]

Maui, Hawaii Store has 25 people in front of it. Aloha

[joe @ Jun 29th 2007 11:25AM]

All this for a phone that is more difficult to use while driving than an el cheapo nokia?

I think I'll stay off the roads for the next few weeks.

[Dale @ Jun 29th 2007 1:13PM]

I passed the Cingular/AT&T store near Diversey and Clark this morning and there were maybe four, five people waiting outside.

I really don't get why people are waiting - by all accounts, there will be plenty.