Will the Apple stores be open until midnight like the 2G launch?
I just called up my local Apple store at 11:30 PM and asked if they had any 8GB iPhones in stock. The sales person replied "we have plenty and there are no lines." I drove down, walked in and picked one up.
i would say order is online, those iphone boxes get shipped a bunch of times before you ever see them. They will put the iphone in a bigger shipping box that will take any force/damage.
if not online then pre order form atnt and go get it
lastly apple stores probably won't run out of iphones they usually get a few hundred on launch day. (i bought my iphone 2g the day after launch day at an apple store and they still had hundreds left).
I didn't order online so I don't know about the iPhone orders but I do know that FedEx is VERY good about delivering on their expected date. Actually everyhting I have ever ordered through FedEx even gave me a time of day like no later than 3pm on Day XX and everytime they have delivered.
I would order online, unless you are just not sure you will get your phone on the 19th, then if you must go stand in line I would go early the line my or my not be long, you may be able to tell if you go by the day before.