Just saw that SE posted a Recovery message in regards to the Aether data center here:

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...5b0636fbdb4ef7

However, I am still unable to get into the game and get the same blank character select screen, and the same 2002 error message.

Again -- If you are in the Dallas, TX area, and are using Verizon, please call Verizon technical support so they can help to fix the issue on their end.