I'm simply puzzled about why we tolerate being forced to not dial the area code. A related implication is that we should do away with area code splits. The problem with a split is not the stationery or printing new business cards but the phone numbers embedded everywhere from computers to faxes to memory phones to vending machines. The latter is particular difficult because one must reprogram all the autonomous devices throughout the country to call the new numbers. Many PC's are shipping with old tables.
Manuals have obsolete support numbers.
And on and on. The downside of the overlay is that those with the original area code have an advantage in the sense that they have the more familiar number. It also means 11 digit dialing within a household. Manhattan is going to do such an overlay. We'll see how well it works.