black%ll-micro@ll-vlsi.arpa (Jerry Glomph Black) (02/02/89)
Yes, hotel thievery for LD calls is a time-honored tradition, e.g., >The problem that I have had is that even the lobby phone might be passed >through one of the dippy LD companies. The only clue that you might get >is that the 'thank you' message doesn't say the whole string of 'thank >you for using AT&T' - just the thank you part. > >The only technique I've found is to wait after the tone and force a human >operator to come on the line - at that point I can usually insist on getting >an AT&T operator. At least the call is only billed at operator assisted >rates and not the horrible surcharge some of the LD resellers will apply. > This is why it's not such a bad idea to get a credit card from one of the LD companies which is accessed through an 800-number. Most major hotel chains charge ->ZERO<- for 800- calls. Most (yes, I know, not all) COCOTS will let you get through free to 800- numbers. The most nasty COCOTS kill the tone generator after the call, so if you're not carrying a DTMF beeper (does anyone out there? They cost a few bucks.) you can wait for the Sprint (or whomever) operator to answer, so you pay normal op-assist rates. Much better than hotel or COCOT rates. There are a few 'can't-get-there-from-here' situations, like those nasty COCOTS at highway (GOTCHA!) rest areas, but in general, a little flexibility (and patience) pay off.