I want to hear about your employment at a park

The best part about working a water ride (Roaring Rapids) is really HOT girls wearing white shirts and white bras.   One time, there was a really hot girl that had a white shirt on, white bra, white shorts, and a black thong on..after the ride..whoa.
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Rob

"The doctor said I wouldn't have as many nose bleeds if I could just keep my finger out of there!" -Ralph

I am 14, and plan to work at SFOT once I am 16. The only reason I want to work there is to work in attractions, Will I be able to work in attractions the day I start, or will i work my way up to it ?

Calm down Rob!
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"If two coaster trains almost hit each other, why is it called a near miss and not a near hit?"

i know what ur talkin about rob!

u will start off at an attraction if u ask for it and it's not already filled. They don't rank people with putting them at certain rides. They pretty much balance the rides with the new and old people.

I love water rides in the hot months! One time, one girl (not very hot) was soaking wet from the ride..and she gave me a hug after she got off..but hey, she had a nice body.
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Rob

"The doctor said I wouldn't have as many nose bleeds if I could just keep my finger out of there!" -Ralph

there is probably age limits for being a ride op.

i wouldn't expect to get it at 16.  but maybe at six flags, thats ok.

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Knotts 2002...ready when you are!

You can work at a ride at 16 if you get hired on early.  Just be sure to mention you like working with people more than being an enthusiast (as others have noted).  Usually you have to wait until your second season to be a foreman at a ride, or when they think you're ready to handle it (it's a lot of responsibility).  If you can't get in rides right away, work in another department like cash control or merchandising.  Work hard, show initiative and before summer rolls around you'll probably have a chance to move into the rides dept.  Of course, some people are happy in food & bev., merhcandise, etc... just be open minded and realize at 16 you may not get rides right away, but you can soon enough.

I worked at SFOG last season, it was a blast, easily the best job I have had.  I'm 21 so I was older than a lot of the employees there which was kind of nice.  Looking forward to another great season next year with that new ride, "whatever it is."

If anyone worked at SFOG or is interested in it, IM me at Neptune 611.  Like to hear from yall!

In reply to those who say they work major overtime at parks:

I would think in the amusement park industry, they would limit you to the amount of hours you work in a week kindof like pilots or flight attendants, as to maintain your senses and alertness.  I would think a person working a 107 hour week would be a bad candidate for a ride operator on any ride.  Or are these people working non ride jobs?  Thanks for the info.

Nope, they don't.  ;-)

Rob, stop being such a horny idiot. 
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Ride the New England Bush!

The longest week I've worked was only 80 hours or so in retail before the park opened... I spent my breaks sleeping in the stockroom.

I know that some of our rides sups have gotten sent home for not taking days off, but that's just the policy of our manager.  The regular ride operators sometimes work long days but I don't think it's anything like some of our hours could get when I was in retail.

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-Robin
"Lighten up while you still can, don't even try to understand..."

the 107 week was a friend that worked in games... a few years back... and i work in security

Six Flags will hire you right into rides at 16. You don't need to worry about working your way up. If you 15 and turn 16 mid summer ask for a transfer. Unless they are really understaffed in your dept they'll transfer you. Trust me ride ops while fun can be a b***h. Plus you dont get paid as much as other depts, and usually work more hours. Since rides have been known to stay open past closing time by a couple hours, then theres clean up. Plus you have to be willing to work single op rides, kiddy rides, and such. You might not get a coaster or even a ride area w/ a coaster to work. Which working a ride such as Time Warp at SFWoA for 12hrs straight w/ 2 breaks kinda makes you think about quitting.
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Don't mess with the X in 01
X-Flight team member 2001!

This was my first year working at PKI and I worked on Flight of Fear. I thought it was a GREAT experience. I couldn't find a job I would like better than PKI. Yea, the pay could be better, but the fun you have is remarkable. Your co-workers are the best, and the job is easy but sometimes challenging. At PKI, the most we were allowed to work in a week was 80 hours. The most I ever worked was 76 hours. So, yea the hours are long but its fun so they go by quick.

The only real negatives about the job would be the rude guest (and you run across many of them), but after a while you learn how to deal with them and you learn not to take things people say personal because you are there to do a job and thats what you get paid for.

The pay isn't low but its decent, I think sometimes it could be a little higher but I understand. I go for a job I like, which is PKI, not for pay, which I wouldn't drive the hour to get there if all I cared about was the pay.

Anyway, I am coming back to PKI next year, and I will be back at Flight of Fear!

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Twelve to fourteen hour days are not unusual in this business, especially early in the season and the last week or two before Labor Day. Anymore with schools starting a week or two before Labor Day it's a real headache trying to keep the rides staffed. As has been stated here before, because it is seasonal work, many labor regs are not applicable(depending upon the state). Hence no overtime pay for over 40 hr./wk or over 8 hr./day.  

I'm applying for rides at Valleyfair this year, I hope I get in.
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Just wait till next year!

Hello all! Long time reader, first time poster. I've worked at PKI for two seasons now and I'm going on my third this season. I've worked both seasons at Congo/Drop Zone and I love every minute of it! Hopefully I'll stay on the Congo/Drop crew for this coming season. Some of you PKI peeps may know me as Sparky although my nametag says Aaron. If any of you ride op peeps would like to chat, just go ahead and e-mail me or instant message me at "PKI GUY". Thanks and here's to a great 02 season at the Island!
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Sparky
Congo/Drop Zone Crew of 00,01,and 02.

I can't wait till I'm 16 and have my car so I can work at SFMW for the summer before school starts. I hope to work at one of the coasters. When should I apply if I plan to work for the 2003 summer? Is it easy to get the job?

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I know so much about roller coasters. Have any qustions just E-Mail me at agomez@afes.com

Valleyfair fan... you proboly will make it :P...hehehe... i'll proboly run into you alot next summer then :P