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According to "Wired Style - Principles of English Usage in the Digital
Age" (not the most commonly used style guide, I know), the definition of
queue is "The designated area in which data enters a computer, is
sequenced, and dispatched." Applying that definition to your example,
"in the queue" seems to be preferable. This is how it has been used in
our data processing area ever since I can remember. And on good days, I
can remember quite a ways back!
>
> So, our question is, what seems to be the preferred usage: 'in queue'
> or 'in the queue'?
> Example: 'The call list box in the bottom half of the window allows you
> to view either live calls or customers in queue for callbacks.'
>
