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So you believe that you are studying us, then kindly explain why you are the ones trapped in your seats.
I used to run the Giant Dipper at SCBB in the early 90's, that was quite fun until they added a computer controlled braking system. The old brake lever is just an emergency backup now. But letting people go right through the station into the tunnel again for a second ride got me tons of cheers, especially for the airtime into the tunnel out of the station if the train already has some momentum. I still had to pull the lever to not let them fly into the tunnel, letting a train go through full speed was frowned upon, and would get you fired. But slowing a little with the lever, then suddenly releasing it was ok. Plus if it was raining, especially if it just started to rain, it was hard to bring a full train to a complete stop. No one ever complained about having to ride again, of course!
Then I was moved to midway games, and promptly quit. Later I was in the Dixieland band at PGA, right when it was bought but not officially renamed yet by paramount. We were laid off after a half-season, and that summer I was able to play in the Disneyland after our jazz combo won the Monterey Jazz festival.(high school competition) We played at 4 different locations over 5 days, mostly in front of sleeping beauty's castle. But our final performance was on the Tommorowland terrace stage, the one that rises out of the ground. That was certainly one of the coolest experiences of my life!
-djansi
"....then how do you explain Holiday World and MIAdv." Easily family owned businesses.
*** This post was edited by Colonel Sanders on 12/28/2002. ***
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-Vortex Crew 2003-
My favorite ride to run (on a good weather day)@ SFEG is Sidewinder, the old Arrow Shuttle Loop. Being 60 feet in the air and being able to look out over the park (especially at night) is great. Plus, for the most part the platform is too high for the higher-ups to hear what you say over the PA system, so you can have more fun with the guests.
Of course, the 'far side' of the ride where all I do is sit in a chair and do nothing is a little less appealing. Especially when a certain supervisor (who frequents CB) sends me up there almost every night in October so I can freeze my ass off in 20 degree weather. ;) Other than that, I love the ride.
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"Standing in line to see the show tonight and there's a light on, heavy glow, by the way I tried to say I'd be there."-The Red Hot Chili Peppers
Colonel Sanders said:
He was talking about owning a preexisting themepark and starting from an entry position the koch family has owned hw for years."....then how do you explain Holiday World and MIAdv." Easily family owned businesses.
*** This post was edited by Colonel Sanders on 12/28/2002. ***
No I wasn't. I was saying working for kennywood so how I can see how they run kennywood park. I have my own ideas.
Mustang said:
...Sidewinder... the platform is too high for the higher-ups to hear what you say over the PA system, so you can have more fun with the guests.
Of course, the 'far side' of the ride where all I do is sit in a chair and do nothing is a little less appealing. Especially when a certain supervisor (who frequents CB) sends me up there almost every night in October so I can freeze my ass off in 20 degree weather.
Umm... that PA is loud, you can here that sucker in lots of places. A couple years ago, the speaker was aimed toward the Pepsi Center and you could clearly hear the operator from the lightrail station on Colfax ( by the Texaco station, now Shell). I didn't do staffing, so you can blame the far side freeze on my minions, well one in particular. :) For me, my favorite was the old vekoma sky flyer, we ran it in manual, it was so cool when the ride stopped upside down without using the brake, it would sit there and this feeling of power would fill your body. Sidewinder runs a close second. Big Wheel is cool because of the power feeling ( it is 100 ft tall). The worst Hollywood and Vine (Huss Breakdance), with 16 manual release lap bars and 32 doors on the sides, no single riders. Flying coaster is also down there, running that ride is so repetitive and boring.
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J.
Rap on a table, it's time to respond, send us a message from somewhere beyond.
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It isn't so bad. . .
Once you're used to it
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1. Kumba 2. Millie 3. Mantis 4. Lightning Racer 5. Wicked Twister (Front Seat)
-- Brett
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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com
I never worked a park, but I did run several flat-rides for a carnival over the course of 8 years. Most of that time was spent running the Gravitron/Starship 2000, my all time fav. (And quick slough time as well!)
I would've loved to work a park in my younger years on a coaster somewhere though. Best I can muster is helping set up a Zyklon once as green-help...
*** This post was edited by mikerules4ever on 12/31/2002. ***
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"She said to me oh I love it when you're mean,
don't you know it's boring when it's quiet and serene.
I said to her no way baby, life ain't what it seems,
Well don't you know baby that life is a scream!" - Gordon Gano
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"Standing in line to see the show tonight and there's a light on, heavy glow, by the way I tried to say I'd be there."-The Red Hot Chili Peppers
I'd say my criteria for a fun ride to work is a ride that has a fast paced platform and great guest response. Multiple trains would pretty much have to be a necessity for me because I would not want to stand there diddling myself for 2 minutes while one train completes the circuit! :) Positive guest interaction is also a must. Who wants to hear guests coming back all day saying, "that ride sucked" (see Mean Streak)?
For these reasons, I'd say pretty much any hyper (Arrow, Morgen, Intamin, etc) and pretty much all B&M rides would be fun to work. It's all about the people around you though. We had a pretty fun crew on Magnum in '01 and I'm sure it's probably possible to have a great time on almost any ride with the right people.
My preferences would probably be rides like Magnum and Raptor at CP, rides like Nitro, Medusa, Batman at Great Adventure, Great Bear or Lightning Racer at Hershey, etc...
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-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew
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- John
Dag, yo
Support Rob in the Great DDR Challenge!
MDOmnis:
Working SOB last year pretty much burnt me out of your idea. Sure, I loved working fast paced, always having something to do, but then I went to TRTR, where you can actually have time to talk to the guests and, if youre working the ride itself, talk to your coworkers. Sure, I enjoyed working SOB, but I guess I enjoy interacting with teh guests more.
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SOB crew in twenty 02
111 SOB laps, and wishing the park was still open
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So you believe that you are studying us, then kindly explain why you are the ones trapped in your seats.
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