The only context that you have from that statement is that the operators are waiting and they are not busy.

Impatiently the operator waited for the tape to come clicking from the machine.

Then in a different voice he said, "Yes, operator, I'm still waiting."

The operator scratched his head and waited.

The $7 billion operator is still waiting for approval to start construction on Macau's Cotai strip.

The quiet wireless operator waited until the valet had left the room where the phone was located.

If you're just going down to the basement to do laundry, the operator will sometimes stay and wait for you.

The operator was waiting for another passenger, looking along the lobby.

The operator would then send a ring signal to the receiving party and wait for the party to pick up the phone.

The regulators believe operators may have waited too long to shut down the reactor after discovering that a valve had malfunctioned.