AT&T no longer soliciting long distance
AT&T's recent decision to end soliciting residential long distance service makes me think of the great difference between the largest employer of the Old Economy and that of the New.
In 1976 the Bell System employed over one million people, a figure only recently surpassed by WalMart. AT&T's work force was well paid, union, mostly skilled, and full time. Some fabrication, mostly service. WalMart's entry level employees are by comparison poorly paid, part time, all service, and non-union. WalMart's full time people do enjoy profit sharing, so greater money might be had than in the old Bell System. But that money is theoretical and far away, and definitely less certain than AT&T's well funded retirement program. On the positive side, advancement at WalMart seems comparable to AT&T's career track, you might manage a store in just a few years, and living in the same area also seems possible. Lifetime employees with the Bell System were frequently moved around the country to experience different work. Econmic class distinction is also different. Twenty five years ago everyone knew someone who worked for The Phone Company. I don't know anyone now that knows someone who works for WalMart.