60+ year old thread.

It also paid to know how the DJ answered the calls. Some liked to do it quick others liked to talk to the caller then move on to the next call.

Technically, depending on the type of central office, if you failed to dial the correct number of digits after 30 seconds the central office would route you to an intercept tone, sounded like a police siren. Thus freeing up the office equipment to process another call.

In my area it was HArrison2, XXXX. My sister started out as an operator for Ma Bell.

Good morning Ken, Carl and everyone.

 

When my mom moved from Minnesota to California, (late 40's?), she got a job with the phone company at some time, worked as a switchboard operator.
Duane

 

Rise 'n shine y'all! Every day above ground is a goodun! The gardener hasn't been promoted so the Lord isn't ready for ya yet.

 

Afternoon all. The weather is really getting my goat. Temps are like a roller coaster. Time for another warm weather vacation.

 

Evening all:
Few flurries here today Ken, have patience, that global warming will kick in shortly!

 

Soon I hope Carl...the Tacoma needs a good spring cleaning (plus the long johns need to get washed. LOL)

 

My mother worked the phone company all her life.
She could do it all.
I would go in and call my dad with the heavy headset on. Pulling the cords and hooking up was cool to see.

 

My mother remembers party lines. She also remembers going to bed with a bed warmer at nite. But shes 91.

 

Hey Ken - Why not consider a "catered" cruise?

 

Party lines.
Omg I hated that.

 

I worked on Party lines.
Ring party
Tip party
2 party
4 party up to 6 (never seen more than 4 myself)

 

When I first moved to a rural location it took a while to figure out the mailbox and party line. I kept moving the mailbox perpendicular to the road instead of parallel to it. Drove the mail delivery nuts... if there's not a flag you swing the box "out" to show yiou have a pickup for the delivery person. Finally a note in the box straightened me out. Perpendicular means mail in or out, parallel means no mail going or coming.

I'd try to call the lady across the road on the same party line, but her line was always busy. I'd hang up and my phone would ring but there'd be no-one there. 90+ year old lady walked across the road to tutor me in the fine points of party lines...phone the person on the "other side" of the 4 person party line, hang up, then pick up when your own ring comes in. Or something like that. Walking across the road worked out better. And this was in the '80s' (1980's). Now I have no landline, just the smartphone for everything.

 

Morning All

Did a "catered cruise" for 6 months compliments of Uncle Sam Linnie. Prefer a nice beach and cold beer.

 

RIP Barbara Bush. A true class act.

 

Ken, that was NOT a catered cruise. Did more of them with Uncle Sam than I care to remember. Been through the ditch 14 times and spent a 101 day stint in the IO, No, I mean a cruise where someone else does the work and you just relax. Diana got me on a 7 day cruise back in 08 and now I'm hooked. We planned another 8 day cruise for our 50th anniversary but opted for a new roof instead.

 

Amen - quite a classy Lady, the world is gonna miss her.

 

Pretty much a catered cruise it was Linnie. E-5 Aviation ordinance ships company, had a whole division at my beck and call. Chief showed up half a dozen times to make sure there weren't any problems, E-6s to busy hiding out from the chief and my division officer was to busy flying the COD on and off the carrier(mail delivery). Another E-5 and myself pretty much ran the show. RHIP. Life was good.

Happy 50th Anniversary. Sounds like you were planning a second Honeymoon. Should've told the missus the roof only leaks when it rains. We need a vacation. I have one more to go for our 50th.

 

Was the bed warmer dad?

 

When I worked for the phone company we had areas that still had 12 person party lines.

 

I know what u mean as I have been in all four positions. While on C6F Staff I used to watch Ship's Company's morning quarters. Ship's divisions would muster on deck each morning where the DO would read the POD to the division then turn them over to the Chief. As soon as the DO was out of sight, the Chief would turn the div over to the 1st class to carry out ship's work with the caution "I'll be in the Chiefs' Mess if you need me. Be sure to call me before you call the DO." The chief wasn't down the ladder before the LPO turned the div over to the 2nd class with a similar caution, saying he would be in the 1st class mess and to call him before he called the Chief. As soon as the LPO was out of sight, the 2nd class would repeat the scenario, saying that he would be in the berthing compartment and to call HIM before calling the LPO. Ah, life at sea!