What does it take to be a maintenance man?

I've always wondered, what does it take to be a maintenance man at an amusement park. It's a job that has always looked very interesting to me. Do you have to have a certain amount of education? Is it a hard job to get?

A large hammer, and the ability to wander around aimlessly within your patrol area until you get a mysterious call on your walkie-talkie.

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

Watch out for huge tweezers ready to pick you up and place you elsewhere in the park, though.

Edit: Forgive the smartassedness. I would actually like to know the answer to this question as well.

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-Mike B.
Son of Hulk
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*** This post was edited by Vater 7/22/2003 11:01:43 AM ***

coastertigger - Are you talking about the guys that maintain the coasters and fix them on break downs? I have always been interested about that too, like what training / education you need and how much the salary is.

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1. Millennium Force
2. HypersonicXLC
3. Alpengeist

Take shop classes and start as a ride operator and then apply. Better yet, study mechanical engineering in college, work as a ride op for a couple summers, then apply.

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"SOME people have NO class!" - Mom from the Whizzer queue

If you know how to rip out 8-layer wood track bed and trplace it with steel I-beam you can be a maintenance man at SFMM ;)

mOOSH

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A random Mooshter's Dawntionary listing: Giraffiti [n.] Vandalism spray painted very, very high.

One of our members here got a seasonal job at CP working in maintenance. He says a lot of it is just on-the-job training by one of the full-timers. There are obviously certain things that you need to learn for some of the deeper off-season stuff, but I'm sure a lot of normal operational things (like changing wheels) are a piece of cake.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Luau II Cam 7/19
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

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Den said:
A large hammer, and the ability to wander around aimlessly within your patrol area until you get a mysterious call on your walkie-talkie.

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...and be satisfied with a $12/month salary?

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--Maddie--
What do I Listen-To?
May the Schwarz be with you.

Hey, in a world where you can build a coaster for $2,000, $12 a month is not bad!

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

I believe that Cedar Point has a four year apprentice program - though that might be different now. Like Jeff mentioned, it's basically on the job training. But you do need some mechanical ability to get your foot in the door.

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Walt Schmidt - Virtual Midway

A lot of the mechanics and electricians at SFOG were once ride attendents, and I'm sure it's the same way at other parks. Being on a rice crew will get your foot in the door.

Working on amuesment rides is pretty unique, so most of the training (as many have pointed out) is OTJ.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Okay, back to my regular smart-a$$ banter:

To answer the question, "Different *tools* than what it would take to be a maintenance *woman*."

;)

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"SOME people have NO class!" - Mom from the Whizzer queue

Tsk tsk tsk Janfrederick. One other criteria is that you have to be slightly crazy. (I'll vouch to that!) Ride mechanics are a breed unto themselves. Some are born to it, others acheive it..

It all depends which line of work you want to do. Larger parks have a large assortment of jobs. These include: Electricians, Mechanics, Plumbers, Carpenters, HVAC/Refrigeration, Painters, Machinists, Welders, and Sign Artists.
Electricians would require a background in construction, control systems, and PLC's.
Mechanics would need a general mechanical background, most likely with some degree of machinist skills, a knowledge of gear reducers and mechanical drive systems, etc.
These are just some examples. Many places the pay is well above average ($20+ range), the benefits are average, and the work is generally enjoyable if it's what you want to do. Most maintenance is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with a local labor union. Work is year-round with minimal layoffs.
It can be tough to get in, but persistance pays off. Get the training, get some experience and keep your application updated. Maybe you can be working on your favorite coaster in the future!

Oh, one thing: unless the park is shortstaffed, you'll probably start off as a seasonal mechanic. You'll move into a year-round position as slots allow.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
*** This post was edited by General Public 7/23/2003 1:02:26 AM ***

GP you can get a job with SF, were all you do is change lite bulbs. Seriously.

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Nurse - Mr. Hill I have diagnosed Bobby with ADD.
Mr. Hill - Then why has no one ever noticed this before?
Nurse - Mr. Hill very few people have access to the pamphlets I have.
Nurse - Here take one.
King of the Hill

Some parks you probably just need the spiffy coveralls and a golf cart to drive around in.

Most of it would have to be on the job training. Afterall I don't think there are and actual schools for ride matainance. It would be sorta funny if it was like cars mechanics. Instead of being certified by Dodge or Chevy you would be certified by Zamperala, or Chance.

I would like to be a certified Lusse mechanic. Car #11 blew another damn electric motor again. Car # 3 needs the rubber bumper replace!

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Signature will be closed today. Sorry for the inconveinance.

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned. In most cases, you will be required to supply you own basic tools. Of course the park supplies specialized tools like a B&M left handed widget extractor.

All you gotta do is win the Monster Garage Challenge... ;)

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"SOME people have NO class!" - Mom from the Whizzer queue

At Coasterpalooza this question was asked. They said most of their mechanics are former airplane mechanics. Some of them have schooling and some just learned from hands on training.

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