My homepark is SFStL. They have always been quite good at running the rides at high capacity - even when crowds are low. However, recently, it seems they have started to single-train on many of the rides - even when there is a 20-30 minute wait.
Low-Q was added to SFStL this season. I'm wondering if this is an incentive to running at lower capacity.
My question is... Has anyone else noticed parks with Low-Q (or Fastlane, Fastpass, etc) intentionally reducing capacity (so they will sell more Q-Bots)?
Also... Does it seem odd that a park can't afford to pay an extra ride op to check restraints, but they can afford someone to moniter the Low-Q gate :(
There is no conspiracy to remove trains from the track in order to get you to rent a q-bot. If two trains aren't running, the reason is usually maintenance (the train is not fit to run).
Lo-Q is contracted out by each park, so even though they(usually) wear the same clothes, they are separate employees who are paid by Lo-Q and are not authorized to check restraints. However on some rides an attendant can function as a Lo-q attendant also.
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the member formerly known as MisterX
I was also under the impression that Six Flags made very little, if any, money from Lo-Q so I doubt there's any consipiracy for this reason. Having said that, I also find it hard to believe that such a great percentage of Six Flags trains can be idle for maintenance reasons. I'll buy that they are doing it to prevent wear and tear (which is a very questionable policy to begin with but that's another topic), but not that they are not fit to run.
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-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew
Lo-q is not run entirly by the park. It's joint effort between the park and Lo-q. Lo-q runs the equipment and hires their own workers. Lessee's at the park are staffed fairly well since most of them pay between $1.25 to $1.75 more on the hour than the park pays its ride attendents and operators.
It's the parks own fault that they don't pay enough. I can easily quit my job making $6.75/hr plus incentives as a FoodService Manager and make $7.50/hr + on Fifth Street right out in front of the park, but i enjoy my jobs. Others don't. Starting wage is $5.50/hr, way too low for the working conditions. Money is where is it, without the money the park will always be short staffed.
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