Cell phone - in lines and on coasters? C'mon!!

DawgByte II:

http://www.phonejammer.com/index.htm

Not available yet, and they range between $139 and $239.

I don't see why talking on your cell phone in the queue line is such a big deal...it's no different than talking to your friends around you in line. I was never aware that you should be totally silent in a line for a ride.

I too have a famliy plan on our cell phones and we DO use them in the park for communicating. We don't take them on rides though, unless we put them in zippered pockets. I'm very strict on this. I also believe the idiots that make and sell cell phone jammers should be put out of bussiness!!

We also use our cell phones for communicating in parks. We have walkie talkies, but why bother to use them when you have a family plan, and can talk to one another for free anyway? Its much better than talking on a walkie talkie.

I make sure that my cell phone is secure when getting on any ride. Its just common sense. As Motorcitycoaster fan had stated it can create a hazardous situation for another rider if its not secure.

That's pathetic that you feel the need to actually ruin someone's conversations. I can see cell phone jammers being useful in classrooms and such, but besides that, how do you know your not "jamming" someone's important conversations?

I sometimes use mine ONLY while waiting in line.....either playing a game, TMing people (mostly Invy Jim....lol) or trying to meet up with someone/locate someone within the park.

I think if anyone tries to use it on a coaster they should be banned from the park. No excuses.

As far as pockets I have never had a problem with keeping my cell in my front pocket. You just have to have the right "coaster gear" as I call it. ;-)

Shorts or jeans with deep pockets will work for me, even on stand up coasters. A lot of it has to do with the restraints and how it helps hold your stuff down, especially the type of lapbars found on Dragster, Xcel, MF, etc.

But that's just me. :-)

-Tina

In my opinnion, the cell phone is usefull for one single reason....... to be comunicated...... you never know when an emergency occours and you need to be located.

When riding a coaster not only cell phones can fly. Last year I was riding "La Montaña Rusa" at Mexico City, and a rider lost a lots of coins, and 2 of them hitted my face.

So I ask...... Does a guest really need to carry mony while in line or on a freaking coaster?

This have no sense for me.

I really like cargo shorts. Those pockets are perfect for cell phones, cameras, ect. They also are also suitable for a wide variety of climates. I can wear them to my home park, Great America or to CP or to IOA... :)

I agree with the original poster. There is absolutely no reaso nto need to bring a cell phone to an amusement park. The idea is ridiculous. I believe they should not be allowed into the park, to prevent someone from being injured by iditots who don't secure their stuff. If you must make a phone call, get a hand stamp, and come on back when you are done. I don't know why it is so important for people, especially teens to have to have their cell phone with them at all times, and spend their time calling their friends all throughout the day. When I go to a park ,its to say f you to my job, and life back home, and to have some great fun at an amusement park. The last thing I want is a cell phone ringing to remind me I'm in reality.

I can understand the emergency thing ,but that is what the guest services is for. If there is an emergency, it will be announced throughout the park to get your attetion. You don't need your cell phone at all. My advice is, keep your cell phone in the car, because if I'm on a coaster and your cell phone falls out of your pocket or hand and hits me in the face. If I live to tell about it, you'll fully regret ever coming to the park that day.

It's true, amusement parks are there to take your mind off troubles, but if you do that for too long, it'll only lead to more trouble. Real Life isn't suspended while you visit a park. Cell phones being banned from parks? I'll see you there...

I think as long as they can be secured (in a fanny pack, buttoned pocket, whatever) they should be allowed on the ride. If you can't secure it, then leave it in the bin or have a non-rider hold it. Cell phones fly when idiots use them on rides, which is not as uncommon as you would think. They don't just fly out from under you.

Well, we've gone decades without the cel-phone... so we can go decades more w/out them if need-be.

...but they ARE good if you are going in groups that split up, you need to meet up, and you need to find out where one is in the park so you can meet up with them. Again, a time/place doesn't always work. I'm not against them in any way in regards to that... especially if they offer walkie-talkie service free. It's only more fun on walkie-talkies because you can hear others communicate on the same channel or frequency... and that can be fun in & of itself ;).

...it's only common sense not to use them [phones]on rides, just the same way why you don't (or shouldn't) use your cel-phone in the car while driving. It's all fun & games until someone pokes an eye or two out.

I just think that cell phones being banned from parks is a bad idea. I mean they can do a lot more things than just distract people. Sure, they can be very dangerous if used while on a ride but most of the time, peoples intentions are not to call someone while riding. There are just those people who don't think.

What if you need a ride home? Then you would need to spend more money on a pay phone. Thats just one example... It just doesn't seem very logical. *** Edited 5/16/2004 7:57:17 PM UTC by Blink3020***

Cell phone jammers are illegal...

"Cellular mobile blocker is a small radio transmitter and according to radio transmission laws (which may vary in different locations around the world) it is illegal to transmit a radio signal without a license. It is not illegal to own a mobile cellular blocker but if you are found using one you may risk prosecution. "

Now, don't brand me as a cell phone lover...I hate them.

What did we ever do before cell phones? Were there no life-or-death emergencies?

Besides, this is a rehashed topic and you can read my thoughts about it on page 3... *** Edited 5/16/2004 8:02:38 PM UTC by redman822***

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Dan D McD said:
When I go to a park ,its to say f you to my job, and life back home, and to have some great fun at an amusement park. The last thing I want is a cell phone ringing to remind me I'm in reality.

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So who are you to say everyone else on the planet has to have the same attitude? Is it written somewhere in the rule books that you have to completely let go of reality and "real life" when you visit a park? That's fine you do that. It's weird that you think other people have to do the same.

I go to parks for the same reason I watch TV, go barhopping, or any number of other activities people do for entertainment. I don't let go of my "real life" when I do those things; they're simply a part of my life. It's ridiculous for you to assume control over other people's attitudes in regards to how they should feel/think/act when they visit parks.

-Nate

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redman822 said:

What did we ever do before cell phones? Were there no life-or-death emergencies?

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Exactly!

I don't care about people and their cell phones either way, but redman makes the ultimate point.

I guess I'm able to change with the times. If anything I find the attitude of "the cell phone is a necessity" an interesting look at how technology changes attitudes.

<insert twighlight zone voiceover here>

Imagine a world where you might have to wait an hour or two to hear from someone...<end voiceover>

....oooohh spooky. ;)

EDIT- just caught this:

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What if you need a ride home? Then you would need to spend more money on a pay phone. That's just one example... It just doesn't seem very logical.

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Yeah paying $39.99 a month makes so much more sense than paying 35 cents for a phone call ;)

*** Edited 5/16/2004 8:15:54 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

Ultra ultimate point...what did we do before cell phones...freak out? No....but that's like asking, "What did we do before roller coasters?" or "What did we do before steel coasters?". The point being...sure, we went along fine without them...but just because we didn't have them before doesn't mean they aren't wanted/needed or useless.

I'd like to point out that many people (myself included) have completely gotten rid of their landlines upon purchasing a cell phone. My cell is the only phone I own, so why should I not enjoy the use I get out of it?

The argument about people's attitudes changing with the times doesn't hold water for me. By that argument, cars, indoor plumbing, running water, electricity, and ALL communication devices are not necessities. I tend to disagree, however; to people who grew up only having these "luxeries", they're absolutely necessities. I'm not to the point where my cell is a necessity, but since I have one, I'm not going to leave my home without it, and I'm going to use it when I want to (excluding inappropriate circumstances, like on a ride).

-NAte

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I tend to disagree, however; to people who grew up only having these "luxeries", they're absolutely necessities.

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Isn't that the very difinition of attitudes changing?

People lived without every example we've listed. If all those examples disappeared tomorrow, we'd still live. However, for people who have had those luxuries their whole lives, they feel necessary.

That was kind of my point exactly.

I've lived more of my life without a cell phone than with. I can easily live without it. However, I find it interesting that many people here wouldn't even consider being without one.

I don't find it necessary, yet it don't bug me. The change in attitude is interesting to me.

I think we're saying the same thing, Nate.

I think we're saying the same thing but arguing different points by saying the same thing (whew!).

If I'm reading your posts right, you're arguing that because cell phones haven't always existed, people don't "need" them. What I'm arguing is that even though cell phones haven't always existed, to many people who have grown accustomed to them, they *are* a necessity. You're right, that's the definition of attitudes changing. Maybe I'm reading you wrong and you're making no argument whatsoever about whether they're a necessity or not and you're only making an observation regarding attitudes changing with technology. If so, please feel free to correct me. :)

I think the whole thing boils down to whether or not they're "needed" by some people. I'd say yes, they are (just as indoor plumbing, electricity, etc are).

-Nate

Ummm, yeah. :)

Seriously, I wasn't really making an argument.

You nailed it there. I personally don't feel they're necessary, but I see how the technology has changed people's attitudes and can certainly see how some people could feel it necessary to always carry one - that change in attitudes is interesting.

To read people saying "I might miss an emergency" or "I might have to use a public phone" is funny to me. I don't think these people are wrong, I think it's fascinating that we've already created a generation that considers that kind of communication and accessibility as a 'necessary' luxury.