I went to work for AT&T, for less money than I was making at Verizon because I couldn't self demote to a rep without going part time, and I was tired of the garbage I dealt with as an SM, and I didn't want to stay with a company that just closed my store.
Yeah, I was the lowest man on the totem pole so to speak, which meant all closing shifts, but I cut my drive in half, and don't get home any later anyway, and still work Sundays (my GM refused to work them, and the other SM magically got "saved" during the shutdown and filled out religious exemption papers so I would have been stuck on Sundays anyway).
Yeah, it was a paycut, and yeah there is a lot of BS, but...
The BS at AT&T isn't "as bad" as the BS at Verizon. I guess the real difference here is the junk you have to push is tangible product as opposed to asking customers to light cash on fire with home electronic insurance, or harassing them to get a credit card.
I wouldn't be surprised if 2022 brings Verizon Solar Panels to sell, or Verizon Auto Insurance, but I'm pretty sure DirectTV won't be my problem before too long as AT&T is looking to sell that albatross.
And then there's the union. Oh the awful union.... Yeah, not really. Thanks to the union, Im reminded daily I HAVE TO take 2 15 minute breaks a day and I HAVE TO be gone for a full hour at lunch. Nobody gets yelled at for being on their break, or harassed to come back early from lunch or work thru lunch "because the business needs it."
Is it all rainbows and roses? No, not even close. In fact some days I kind of feel like it's a cult, but if you are tolerating verizon, when you finally get severanced, or you get tired of the garbage, AT&T isn't terrible. The union thing is goofy, but reading the handbook and seeing the managers proactively adhering to whatever was bargained, it makes sense I guess. Is it worth the dues? I don't know, I think I need more time on that one, but it really is nice to be able to walk off the floor for 30 seconds without being harrassed.
Oh and there are no perverts looking at your feet at AT&T. Just don't wear competitor colored shoes. Some of you all know what I mean when I say it's nice not having to wear old people shoes to work. And no denim on denim with some denim to go with your denim.