The extra fee for call forwarding always annoys me. I’ve had the option for nearly fifteen years. I don’t even want to add up the extra cost. It’s several bucks a month.
Once in awhile it does come in handy. I gave my land line number to the appliance repairman. I’m off work and at home. But, I’m craving pizza. 
So, I’ll press *72 and 10 digits local phone number and divert to my cell phone.
I’m free. Free at last. <happy feet dance>
Last step is the most important. *73 to turn off forwarding when I get home again. Otherwise I’ll get odd home phone calls that I’m not expecting on my cell.
Technology is so much fun… 
You may want to look into VOIP providers like Vonage or PhonePower. They send you a device that you plug your phone into and it works pretty much like a normal phone but the signal goes over the internet. The cost is way less than a traditional land line. Vonage is $25/mo and Phone Power is like $8 (if you get 2 years).
The advantage to VOIP is that they give you every calling feature for free. Call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way-calling, voicemail, ring multiple lines, etc., etc. This way you can have every feature and not feel bad about not using them.
I got curious and checked the phone bill. $6.99 for the privilege of call forwarding from AT&T. $83.88 a year.
times 15 years… 1,258.20
Then the bloody sods wonder why customers despise AT&T. Biggest bunch of vampires out there. They stick me $5.50 a month for an unlisted number too.
Ahh, but what you’re forgetting is the huge expense they have to go to every time someone de-lists their number.
All of the entries in the phone book after that name have to be moved up one. Not so bad if your name begins with “Z”, a lot of work if it begins with “A”.
They probably have to outsource the work overseas.
