Anyone work(ed) for a phone company that can answer this?

[white_2kgt]

dude! I understand what the "1" means, I just shouldn't have to care!

Maybe they make you do that as a way to confirm your intention to call long distance so you can't claim that you accidentally called long distance or you didn't know etc etc. It's sort of like clicking the "yes to terms" thing every time you install new software.

exactly