hi Gem long time no PM ha,ha

yep seen this many times i dont know about the us version but with the euro ver there is no way to forward a group to an outside line. the reason for this is as you know a group has more than 1 phone ringing even if you only have 1 phone(member) in the group all the other phones on the system are set to no-ring thus the reason you can still pick it up from else where.and the only to forward to an outside line is if it is the only phone ringing ie(an extenstion) or ( ddi)or finaly a dil 1-1.
optin 1...
the answer to the above question is dont intercept the group instead intercept the lines to a phone(slt) on permanant forward to the outside no:

option 2....voicemail (a pity not to usse it)
as you said use the voice mail on AA (custom service)
intercept all calls to voice mail have a message on the v/mail say please hold while we connect your call then set v/mail no input to go to the phone(slt) on permanant forward to the outside no:this will also work however now you have the option to also direct staff calls to other ext in the building all the staff will have to do is input an ext no: when they hear (the please hold message).

well thats my 2 cent's worth.
will talk soon GEM
peter.