CoasterBuzz Podcast #195 posted

I'm not surprised about the end of season staffing problems. That's what happens when you cut the bonus for seasonal workers.

Jeff: That would be Plymouth Rock Cafe.

Thanks, Paula

Now I'm kind of concerned that I've been on giant slides all these years and never ridden them correctly. Apparently I've been missing that "tingly" feeling in my butt....

Nice podcast, you three. And let met just commend you on those shout-outs. ;)

It's hard to say if people are making two visits (regular season and HalloWeekends) to Cedar Point. The park still gets around 3 million guests in a season, the same as they have for the past 30 years in shorter seasons. A couple years, maybe 1993/94, the park did upwards of around 3.5 million, back when there weren't 100,000 guest HalloWeekends in October. So apparently there has been a shift in how and when guests visit the park.

Raven Maven said:

Jeff: That would be Plymouth Rock Cafe.

Thanks, Paula

That's exactly what we said just a few minutes later when the name came to us. :)

Or when Carrie looked it up. ;)

Anyone care to take a stab at why Cedar Point continues to have staffing issues, especially at what has become a financially critical point in the season, when we are in the middle of the worst unemployment crisis the country has seen since the Great Depression? It certainly is not the fault of the HR department.

Yeah, I'm not really buying that argument. And even if it's a genuine problem, so what? It's their problem, and they're big boys. They can find a way to fix it if they want.

Sure there is a staffing issue. But people still show up in ridiculous numbers every October. The incentive to increase the staff is a number appoaching zero.

Even IF the economy sucks, can the quantity and quality of employees be found if they are not paid "appropriately"?

Bozman hit it on the head, if you ask me. I mean, who needs 200 employees (or whatever) if guests are still beating down the doors when you have 50 (or whatever)?

I think you know where I put the blame on a lack of investment in HR.

^Apollo? ;)

While many of you think staffing is a "non-issue," to me personally it is a core issue when it comes to the financial health and success of the company. How much money was lost because food stands weren't open? How much money was lost because food or merch locations were understaffed creating long waits and people just gave up waiting? As Carrie pointed out, hotel rooms are a mess due to staffing issues, how is that negatively affecting the bottom line of out-of-park revenue? How much time and revenue is lost in having a non-stop revolving door of employees versus building a "team-spirit mentality" that is prevelant at places like Holiday World, Dollywood, etc? It's all Business 101 and at a time with a hefty debt load, a major investor breathing down your neck for "change" and a need to be "performance ready" every time the gates open to capture every dollar possible, I think I would be taking a very serious look at HR and adapting policies that bring it into the 21st century (or at least the 1990's, lol)

Great point, mlmem4s. Plus, that potential unearned profit could go towards adding some incentive for the employees to stay throughout the slow season.

I haven't listened to the podcast yet, but I have some experience with this...

My experience with Cedar Point is that applicants are pressured into contracting themselves into staying later into the Fall season before they are even hired, or during the hiring process. Once the late season rolls around, they figure out that it was probably a mistake, especially the ones who live a long distance form the park. During those last operating weeks, employees get a lot less hours, and those who can't go back and forth from home to the park really suffer.

In CP's defense, they do offer free rent during that time, so that does add $20 - $30 to your small paycheck.

I've noticed, even back when the bonus was $1 per hour, that a lot of people give up because of this, go home early, and break their contractual agreement with the park.

My personal story is that I found it really boring to work at Cedar Point during the late season, with all of the time off, and a lot less money to spend.

Too bad they wouldn't let me bring my money tree into the dorm. ;)

mlnem4s said:How much money was lost because food stands weren't open? How much money was lost because food or merch locations were understaffed creating long waits and people just gave up waiting?

Given the fact that the park was at, or near capacity over the last 3 Saturdays, all stands were open as far as I could tell, with plenty of people waiting in line, I would say that the ratio of money lost compared to the amount of salary not paid was jack / squat.

Of course you always have the option of leaving the park, but again, with the park at capacity who wants to leave just to have the hassle of getting back in? that was the question I had to answer the last 2 Saturdays, and while I have no love for Cedar Fair concessions, it was by far the lesser of two evils.

Edited because I suck at quotes.

In response to Carrie's comments about Breakers Express. We last stayed there in early June, 2008. During our visit we were really surprised how pleasant our visit was. Most likely this was due to season just beginning, and the resort probably deteriorates as the season goes on up until October, when you stayed. I feel it's still better than most hotels in Sandusky.

I'm glad your experience was better than mine. I will say that my experience with the front desk at check-in was quite pleasant. My complaint resides solely with the quality of the room. I know it's slim pickings for quality hotels in Sandusky, but I still think there's no excuse for charging that much money for that little quality.

And really, is it ever really ok to offer a dirty room in a hotel?

We always seem to have a problem with dirty rooms in the late season at the point. When we stay in May or early June the rooms are alot cleaner. And, I agree with you Carreie there is no reason to charge that much money for such little quality. But, as has been posted before in other threads the majority of us still pay it for the convienence.