445???

[elSicomoro]

This is mindless chatter, but it just came to me...

As is probably well-known, Philadelphia and it's northern and northwestern suburbs have 2 area codes--215 and 267. When I moved here, my home phone and cell phone both got 215 numbers. To be honest, I have only seen the 267 area code on some pagers, cell phones, and people who switch to a phone company other than Verizon.

When I got my new White Pages a while back, I noticed that we now have another overlay code--445. (The 610/484 area code also has a new overlay code--835.) The argument I've heard for new area codes is that we are running out of phone numbers. However, I have also heard that the Baby Bells needlessly reserve blocks of three-digit extensions, which is part of the need for new area codes.

If I recall correctly, 267 and 484 have only been around for what? 2 years? You cannot honestly tell me that we have already run out of numbers in 267. Not to mention, it's another stupid code to remember (along with 570, 717, 856, 609, 302, etc.). I would almost think it easier just to break down areas with new area codes (as Los Angeles and Chicago have done).

Too many numbers to remember...