this is an incredibly smart release strategy.
however, there's a difference between frustration due to overspeculation and talk about comments we can't verify the validity of and Verizon/BB handling this poorly.
they've advertised subtly for the TB, putting more marketing into the iPhone because let's face it, it has an enormous fanbase and a device with that much attention would be flaunted relentlessly by any carrier, especially since this case is along the lines of "haha we got the only thing keeping ATT alive". with the TB, i can't imagine a better marketing scenario than letting the iPhone return period end and the same day, going "hey look at this enormous, shiny new phone that can compete with your fiber optic internet connection at home! and it has a kickstand?! buy it!" EVERYONE is watching 4G, because it's "new" and "hip", and Big Red can campaign a product like no other regardless of the pre-release hype.
would i rather see a commercial on more often so i can feel like this product's existence is at least partially recognized? yes. but as far as i see, the 24th is a real good bet for a release and im content to wait another week and a half after having the D1 for a year and a half.