“Years, when I was a Telephone Operator”

Sep 3rd “Years, when I was a Telephone Operator”

Night Work

The year that President Kennedy was shot – in 1963, I was working at the “Long Distance” located in mid town – and one of the “Telephone Operators” that left at the end of her shift – walking to the area where she had parked her car, earlier in the day, was now in an area too dark and isolated – that when she was attacked, brutally murdered, something just too shocking to talk about, but, because of this situation, changes were made to protect “Telephone Operators” that worked the late shifts – in order to protect them when leaving the building, till they got to their parked cars – there were “Guards” walking with them – and that situation was resolved.

“To this day, I have never heard – whether or not the Criminals were found and received the punishment that is required for this type of crime?”

“Just a wondering?”

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Day Time Telephone Operators”

If you took a look at the post for yesterday… you were looking at this very same area… where there were only three “OPERATORS” working. This PHOTO is the “DAY TIME OPERATORS” covering the switchboard – – but this switchboard is five (5) times the length that you see here.

Would you believe that this photo is over sixty years old – – – as you can tell by the length of the skirts on the Chief Operator, Mrs. Quirk – – the lady with the white fringe around the bottom of her skirt and I can not remember the name of the other lady standing – and can not remember what for sure her tittle was – – could be something “assistant” – – as there were several that would plug in with the Operator… checking how well you were handling the calls – – if you were answering the customers with the correct information – – and also if you were over-lapping and most importantly the way that you held your pencil – – in the correct way … so as not to put the eye out of the OPERATOR that would be sitting next to you.

Before I started working for the “Telephone Co.” – – no one had ask to take PHOTOS” of the girls working at the switchboard – – but I just thought that I would like to remember those I was working with and what the place looked like. So… I had to get special permission – – and was to stand so many feet away from the switchboard – – since we just finished WWII – – and communications sites needed to be protected against any enemy of America. Today I have seen several MOVIES that have photos of similar systems – – and they are up close with lots of detail – – and also TODAY – – I’ll bet that everything is so much different and so updated – – just a whole different ballpark!

When ever you get to talking with ex-operators that did work for the Telephone Co., – ask them – – “How many times did you quit – – and then later returned to work for the Telephone Co.,”?” – – and another question to ask – “WHAT states and cities did you work?” I believe that I am the only one that worked five (5) different times – – was working at the St. Louis Toll office when President Kennedy was shot – – the switchboard immediately lit up like a Christmas Tree. Also … transferred to Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida – – and work at an office in Illinois and several in St. Louis areas. One thing that helps is that you will be at the work place every hour that you are scheduled and willing to work Holidays and any and all over-time when you might be needed.

Back in the day… I would tell people… “Just dial “O” for “OPERATOR” – – you just may reach me… as your OPERATOR – – with that smile in her voice!”

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New Telephone Operators!

May 1956 at the telephone company. The two telephone operators in the center of picture are two friends in my four week learning class

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Movie Stars or Operators?

Three new employees in my class of of 6 learning to be Telephone Operators! We were getting ready to go out for lunch. It looks like a pose for a “Movie Star” magazine?

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“”Learning New Ways at the Telephone Company”

This Photo could have been put in the News Paper in the early 1960’s – since it has been a long time since, I have been a Telephone Operator!

I may have been the only person that was rehired five (5) times as I would quit, to do or try something else – and when that did not work out the way I thought it should – WELL – I gave my old Chief-Operator a call – and she would just tell me, “Come on down- ready to work!”

Don’t remember anyone ever saying that they worked at different times, even quit and came back. Guess most people would not think to ask for their old job back – after being away for a while?

So having said that, the next part of the five different times of being employed is, that you must always be brought up to date with your new environment – as each time, that I came back to the Telephone Company, I would be in a newer and or different stage of the business of communicating callers to other callers – as the system is always updating with newer and more modern ways, to have people connected, via the telephone.

Each time you come back, you are set up with a new Instructor to the newer system, and that could last for a couple of weeks. You work the same hours – will take same breaks and Lunch together. On one of those days you will be treated to a free Lunch and a Chief Operator or assistant will come along and that Lunch will be just a little longer, as I believe, they want to see you on a different time frame – to see what you are really like?

Mrs. Rose Henneberry, you see in the above PHOTO, was one of my Instructors, on one of my returns to work. She became a real good friend – as that was the same summer that my husband, Lee needed a serious operation and was in the hospital for a couple of months. To make me feel good, she wrote some of her silly stories and sent them to the hospital and had so much enthusiasm in all that she did, that we kept in touch even later on.

Nothing like making new friends at the different times, that I worked for the Telephone Company and even in the keeping in touch after I had left. Telephone Operators like to talk – as they are doing it all day – and with that talking – they are making FRIENDS – as there is a smile, that comes across those telephone lines – to make everyone feel good and be happy! D.V.