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Sometimes when I'm trying to reach a human for customer service, and the system won't route me to a person if I use the typical techniques (multiple zero presses, saying "agent", not saying anything through multiple timeouts, etc.), I use the "mystery language" technique to some considerable success:
SYS: I cannot connect you to anyone if you do not explain to me the nature of your problem.
ME: Dasbuton terra masiqu! Bashro normani grikkola-ban-nano!
SYS: I'm not sure I understand you, will you please repeat that?
ME: Dasbuton terra masiqu!!!! BASHRO normani grikkola-ban-NANO!!!!
SYS: Please hold while I transfer you to a customer service agent.
Q.E.D.
Another technique - some systems that won't obey "agent" or "operator" will detect angry "fuck"s and other curses 
and route you to a human. Apparently it's basically "Is this caller frustrated enough to make trouble?". I have found it to work a couple of times when nothing else did...
@cazabon Occasionally. I haven't had much luck with those. Some will actually dump the call when they hear them long enough -- and note your calling number, of course, so they can flag your account as the caller.
@cazabon @lauren Came here to say this.
Some call center software "listens" for trouble. They've gotten quite good at it, even if the customer is sarcastic.
In addition to routing you to an agent, It's also used to flag calls between an agent and a customer that turns contentious. That way the supervisor can swoop into the call and save the day.
I know because I used to work on such software.