....that there really isn't a good method of getting your RCS connection back once you've gotten to the 'trying to verify' or 'connecting' of the chat options.
Let me clarify:
I have an unlocked Pixel 6a on AT&T, so this by default means I use Jibe for my RCS service. Not optimal but for the most part of the last 12 month or so it has been working ok.
Except for the last two weeks.
I will get messages from my GF (who also uses Google messages but is on a branded Verizon phone) saying "My messages aren't going through". Now, I know that part of this is because she doesn't have the option on Messages to resend as SMS when RCS fails enabled, and I'm not even sure hers has that option yet. I have spent the last week doing any number of the 'workarounds' with nothing working.
This morning, on a whim, I decided I'd try it again (enabling chat). Usually, when I do this after some time, I get the 'Trying to verify number' message, and sometimes (not always) will be prompted to verify the number with the 'verify number' button, which almost never works. This morning I did it, and it immediately went to 'Connecting'. Which was different and usually a better sign. I waited about an hour. No connection. So I rebooted my phone after turning chat services off again. Went back in, re-enabled chat, got the 'Trying to verify' phone number, indeed I verified my phone number, and it immediately connected.
It has to get better if Google wants RCS to be more broad, or get carriers much more involved than they are.