Abstract: A method for reducing a patron's waiting time at a walk-in facility includes providing a communications network, wherein the communications network includes a first communications link between a patron and a walk-in facility. The method includes providing a queue, receiving a consultation request via the first communications link, reserving a position in the queue in response to the consultation request, determining a time period before a consultation is available, and providing notice to the patron of the determined time period, wherein the patron may wait at a location other than the walk-in facility during the determined time period, thereby reducing the patron's need to wait at the walk-in facility before being consulted at the walk-in facility.