Zero three times; if virtual rep answers, say "operator"

That's the secret to getting to a human being when calling 1-800-275-2273 to talk to Apple.

I found this very useful list of tricks to find a human (bypassing various automated answering systems in order to reach someone with a pulse on the other end) over at Mr. Barrett's blog.

Sometime not that long ago, I read some report that said that if you start saying obscenities on the phone, the voice recognition software they use while you're in the queue moves your call up on the priority scale. I don't know if it is true or an urban legend, but it sure is fun!