trparky, I can think of two ways this makes sense.

1) In the corporate world they only see the next quarter and how they can make a profit for it.  Never much farther then that.  Same for the jerk (I'd get banned for the right word here) that runs AT&T.  He cheapens everything out that way he gets his bonus.  The heck with the company long term!  He, like politicians, will be gone by then leaving that problems to someone else.

2) The overtime and plenty of workers makes the unions happy.  Has nothing to do with efficiency or how well the job is done.  Just cash for the unions.

So they have their machine running just the way they want it.  The heck with the customers.  A little cynical, eh?

Glynne