A couple of comments:

Not as theraputic, but pressing "zero" repeatedly imputes the same response as yelling agent into the phone.

If I can't understand the agent, I hang up. No sense in trying to explain that to them. It wastes both our time. I had to do this with the international award desk this week.

Entering my MP# in any menu which asks for it, then pressing zero for agent seems to work best.

I've had good experiences with the ICC when I could understand the agent. No complaints. Granted, I haven't tried to re-invent the world when calling either

HAL is a pretty pleasant sort. I don't mind talking to him now and again.

Pat