Both Southwest Airlines and Amazon.com do this in the U.S. They've both called my cell phone before to do it. With amazon, it's actually even easier. IIRC, y

Both Southwest Airlines and Amazon.com do this in the U.S. They've both called my cell phone before to do it. With amazon, it's actually even easier. IIRC, you can click a button on the site to queue you, and that's what gets you in the queue. Other corporate phone tress I've called before have had a similar option. After a given time they give you the option to leave a voicemail, and they'll return your call. I think the major obstacle is psychological. People don't actually believe in their lizard brains that they won't lose their spot in line unless they're standing there to preserve it. Even though being on hold isn't the same (after all, it's not like you can see the people in front of you, to ensure no cutting in line), I think people interpret it the same. That, and, async like that would probably make people feel like they're being put off. Whereas with blocked IO, you think, "it's not that they don't care, it's just that they're busy right now." But I agree -- I love it. I think people's attitudes will shift towards the system you're suggesting. It'll just take time.