Ride Op Stuff

Hey, I know a lot of you here @ Coasterbuzz are employees of Six Flags. I'm looking at becoming a ride op @ Astroworld this summer. I could use some suggestions, comments, stories or helpful hints in getting started. I figure I have a pretty good chance of being hired because I'm in ACE and know a lot about coasters in general. Anything that you would find helpful to me, put it here.

Thanks, guys.

-------------
-Josh *** This post was edited by SFFTScream on 3/6/2001. ***

I general knowledge of coasters is good, but not necessary. In these times they are looking for someone who can learn quickly and work as much as they need you to. When I first began as a ride op here in Vegas I thought it was one way, but once you become one, boy does it all change. Just know that the prestige of the position changes once you see what its like, but being a ride op is very rewarding as you get to make many people happy while having fun.

Being a member of a coaster club has nothing to do with being hired at a park, so if you bring that up to them, they wont really care. They care about the same things as other employers do. Age, backround, criminal record, work history, references, etc. Just treat a job at SF as you would anywhere else you go seeking for work.

-------------
"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls

I would avoid hiring club members. Look at us... we think we already know everything and what's best to run a ride (no brakes, loose lap bars, etc.).

-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com

:) Great point Jeff!

Getting hired as a ride op is no big deal. They'll train you, they'll tell you what to do, and running the coasters really isn't that complex. Push the button, close the lap bar, say your spiel, push the other button... But if that red light goes off, all h*ll breaks loose, because no one wants to be at controls then!

Seriously, just apply and let them know that that's what you want to do. No big deal, really.

'97 Disaster Transport Crew
'98 Iron Dragon Crew
-------------
Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html
VOTE for your favorite GAME today!

Quite frankly,I know quite a few people in business who will not hire enthusiasts of any kind whether it be roller coaster, carousel ,steam trains,et.al. They consider them to be more trouble than they're worth. Best advice -keep your mouth shut,play dumb and listen to everything they say.

ditto.....

At least at Cedar Point, being an active enthusiast can be a good thing (most of the rides managers are in ACE). Being a coaster enthusiast, for example, might get you contracted for a ride like Magnum or Millenium Force, rather than Kiddy Kingdom . I think it really depends on the park.
-------------
CP ride host -
*2000 - Cedar Downs crew, WildCat/LaserShow crew
*2001 - Cedar Downs assistant team leader

You can get the certain ride just by asking too. Of course, I WANTED the Iron Dragon, and that isn't exactly in the same league as Magnum or Millenium Force. But any coaster is a good one!

-------------
Po!nt of View: A different look at Roller Coasters.
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/index.html
Rock and ROLLER COAST the VOTE!

You got what you asked for? Boy things have changed. In the old days at the Point unless you had seniority you worked where they told you to,period.

Hey there, I am about to go back for my second season at SFNE...
there, i operated stuff like The Cyclone, Timewarp, Blizzard River and the most embarassing..skyride, it depends on the park but if you ask for a particular coaster, you usually get....but dont be fooled, i did not for a minute want to operate Superman....its all up to you and an angry mother is not a pretty sight after her son has been in line for 5 hours and is too short to go on the ride...
Still it was the best summer of my life...
only 3 more months left in scotland.....its cold here...good luck....

It's aaaalll good. Just be sharp. No need to mention your enthusiasm for roller coasters. You should, however, make sure you let them know that you are interested in working with people...and believe me, you might not want to after a summer of this. Let them know that you would prefer to work on rides. They look for folks who seem sharp and outgoing. But seriously though, my first job was running the Whizzer at PGA. I couldn't have had a better first job experience anywhere. I have some wonderful memories of that place.

Don't worry, you'll get it!

-------------
Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

Ooops! Did I just date myself???

-------------
Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.

I am going to be interviewing soon for my first job, at KBF. I was wondering, should I mention that I love coasters and theme parks or not? Someone above said that CP likes hiring coaster enthusiasts, so is KBF any different?

You should hear of the things I wanted to do and other enthusiasts wanted to do while I ran the Tidal Wave at PGA
-------------
#1 Stealth-PGA
#2 Flashback-SFMM
#3 Whizzer-RIP PGA
#4 Mind Bender-WEM
#5 Drachen Fire-BGV
I Liked Psyclone the way it was

Hey Flashback, when did you work on the Wave? I worked at GA from 87 to 91...I worked on the wave a coupla days but mostly worked other rides (Whizzer included). Did you ride it without lapbars? I did....ONCE! Wouldn't suggest ever doing it. Coming back through the loop scared the holy hell out of me!

-------------
Decisions determine destiny; Destiny determines decisions.