Thursday, April 9, 2009

It will probably take me about 5 years


If you live in the Salt Lake valley, you know that due to an increase in population and building, there has been a third area code added to the state. The entire state used to be 801. Around 15 years ago, 435 was added for all areas outside of the Wasatch Front. This new third one will also cover the Wasatch Front. What does that means for those who live there and currently have an 801 number? It means that they will get to keep it, but anyone getting a new number in the area will get the new area code. (I have no idea what it is.) That means that you could have an 801 number, but if someone new moves into the house across the street from you, their number will have the new area code. (Right? I could be wrong about that. I haven't really paid very close attention to all of this. It may only mean that numbers given to new construction will get the new area code. If anyone knows, tell me.) It will not be a long distance call to call them, but you will have to dial the 10 digit phone number whenever you do. Customers were informed of this change several months ago and told to start practicing using it. I think I practiced once and I had around 9 months to do it. Once implemented and the change took place, local calls would not go through unless the 10 digit number was dialed.

Well, the change has officially taken place and I would say that 9 times out of 10, I don't remember to dial the area code first. I've already done it wrong twice today. I get the "your call could not be completed as dialed" message almost every time I try to use the phone. I have to hang up and start all over again. Now, like I said, customers had around 9 months to prepare for this change and it happened about a month ago. So, in total, I've had 10 months to get ready. You would think I would have it down by now, but I don't. I'm 33 years old. I've lived in Utah my entire life. I was used to only one area code for 18 of my 33 years. It took ages for me to remember and get used to 435. I'm guessing that it's going to take at least 5 years for me to get used to this change. If I subtract the time I've already had, I suppose it could technically only take another 4 years and 2 months. I hope I get it soon. I'm getting really sick of dialing and then hanging up and having to redial every time I want to make a phone call.

8 comments:

Jules AF said...

I always use the area code no matter what.... I don't know why.

Brittany Marie said...

What I want to know is why they couldn't give counties like Davis and Utah the new area code and leave 801 for the Salt Lake area. Wouldn't that have made more sense than to have people with the new area code living next door to people with the 801 area code? Hmmmmm?!

Just SO said...

This is why I love the caller id feature on my phone. I look the number up on my caller id and then hit dial and it automagicaly calls for me. Yay!

Lisa said...

GA did that too a few years ago. It took me a looooooonnnnng time to get it.

Rosie and Derek said...

I think I've finally got it. Of course I have to make a million calls every week-- reminding 15 kids about soccer games, practice, and treats, and reminding 12 kids about Scouts. I guess I ought to have it down by now!

Happy Wanderers said...

It drove me BONKERS when we first moved to Pennsylvania that you had to use the WHOLE number to call people...and that when you told people your phone number, if you left off the area code beforehand, they would get completely confused! It took me quite awhile to get used to it. Now I'm used to it. When we were in Rexburg, and people would ask our phone number, I would tell them the area code first and they would give me that look like "Duh". Just you wait, Rexburg, You're next!!!! (Place evil laugh here)

Scott said...

The new area code is 385. It was actually assigned in 2000, but didn't become effective until Mar 29. Typically new area codes won't be assigned until numbers for exchanges run out. So some towns and cities will start getting the new area code before others. And don't worry, you'll get used to it; many states now have 10-digit dialing, and you get used to it!
-Scott

Whitney R said...

Oooo, yeah, that's annoying. I'm sorry. I believe all of Idaho is the same area code. We are itty bitty.