Nine people arrested at Six Flags Great America, three sent to hospital, in apparent "mob action"

So was I. I used to love the trams in the parking lot. Not sure when they got rid of them. The walk from the lot to the park used to seem so far. Now I purposely park next to the highway to avoid the crowds leaving.

^Good times! I do remember those trams! How about the original Demon ride op uniforms!? The cape and tail...

My favorite place to park is right in front of the exit sign. It's a walk to the front, but I never forget where my car is and no line to get out!

Speaking of the parking lot and "mob action." wasn't there an incident in the early 90s where someone (a woman who had been attacked?) got ran over in the lot? It was a big mess.

I don't remember those costumes; but vaguely remember those worn by yankee clipper and logger's run ops. Think the clippers had the predominant red uni's, and clipper featured the more piratey white and blue horizontal shirts.
Couple incidents I remember....Demon getting stuck in a loop, and riders stranded upside down for hours! (Don't know how you sit upside down for that long). The infamous roll back/failure on The Edge, and the subsequent urban legend that sprung up about a kid "decapitated on the ride "; the shocking close of Shockwave, and saving of the whizzer. And of course the injuries on the Cajun Cliffhanger. Zforce (a fave ride of mine); rolling thunder (a failed attempt at a toboggan ride; rode a real one at Kings Dominion, Avalanche and just cringe at what was rolling thunder)

Forgot the dolphin show tucked behind Yankee Clipper; the Bugs Bunny show in the theater where Dark Knight stands; and the worst/best kids area, with the upside down house.

Tbone's chop said:

The walk from the lot to the park used to seem so far. Now I purposely park next to the highway to avoid the crowds leaving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU-bvDvCMlU

That's more true than you think. When I went to Kings Dominion over Labor Day; I got to the park for early entry, and even though no one was there (I think because of the drizzle and forecast of rain all day) I instinctively parked in the back. When I left I found my car easily, cause the lot was still empty, and my car was all alone at the back of the lot.

Why is Six Flags' safety record so poor; especially compared to Cedar Fair? Looking at the major park incidents; an accident at SF = death; whereas one at CF = injury.

As Jeff said above part of the problem is them giving away the gate. It seems like every other week I get an email for Bring a Friend Free with my season pass. I my past experiences with that is it makes the park unbearably crowded and when it gets unbearable crowded you get lots of line jumping incidents and fights going on. I don't know why Six Flags takes it upon itself to keep giving away free admissions like that when it creates lots of problems to where security gets overwhelmed and can't deal with the problems very well.

Yes I have even canceled trips to Six Flags when I get said emails because I know it's not gonna be a safe place and it will be unbearably crowded.

They should handle it like Cedar Fair....there's a couple days where you BAF for $20, couple for $30, and some for $42. All discounted from regular price, you pick which day suits you best. Obviously the $20 days will probably be packed, but the $30 days aren't too bad.