Ride Op Enthusiasm - CoasterBuzz

On my past trip to Carowinds, for the first time I noticed the ops had more enthusiasm than usual. On Hurler, they were talking to us as we went up the lift hill, same on Thunder Road. The Drop Zone ops were very nice as they let us keep the harness as far up as the seat belt would go. (48 times in one day with loose harness will spoil you when it comes to airtime). I wish the ride ops would interact more with the guests at the park, because it really does increase the overall fun of the ride. How are the ops at other parks. Are they generally happy? interactive? or bored and angry all the time? (like running down the rows stapling everyone on a woodie).

I was impressed with the enthusiasm from the employees at PKI, especially the Beast staff. They really seem to enjoy their jobs. :)

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CBClub member #30 and #364 (renewal)

Beast/Flyers Staff Rocks!

Deliriums staff is great too

Chuck, who hasn't been on FOF yet this year but their crew is usually nice and helpfull. :
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Charles Nungester.
It is my personal belief that Lesourdsville Lake is closed for 2003. I'll let you know if anything is announced.
*** This post was edited by Charles Nungester 4/22/2003 6:34:03 PM ***

It makes a big differance when the ride ops are having fun and are not a bunch of zombies waiting for their shift to end.

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After 4 1/2 years I'm a "single" rider again!

XBox Live Gamer tag: Coasterpunk

Agreed, an *enormous* difference...the first line of Guest Relations, the ride crews. They're who the guests interact with the most frequently, and make all the difference between an *eh* day at the park and a GREAT day at the park. Underpaid and underappreciated, *always* remember to thank them after ERTs.....;)
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"Brian, there's a message in my AlphaBits, it says 'ooooooo'"
"Peter, those are Cheer ios"....Family Guy is BACK!!!

Two words: Holiday. World. Cedar Point is great at it as well. And by the way, I also noticed that at Carowinds when I was there Saturday.

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/\ Jonathan Hawkins
Starcoasters.com | ThrillSpot
Howard Dean for President!

Jason Wilson said:
On Hurler, they were talking to us as we went up the lift hill, same on Thunder Road.

How?

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10 days...

OT
rollergator-when is family guy on? That show is awsome

At Great Adventure today, there was this ride-op, Rachel, that I saw working the Pendulum and Chiller. She did a fantastic job getting the people into the ride on the pendulum. I spoke to her when I was on Chiller and told her she was doing an awesome job, and she replied with, "You need to get the people into the ride, without all of the games and stuff it's just a ride that spins." I thought she did a great job and the ride-ops at the park seem better this year.

StarCoasters said:
Two words: Holiday. World. Cedar Point is great at it as well. And by the way, I also noticed that at Carowinds when I was there Saturday.

Two more works: Knoebel's Grove. I have found that the smaller parks definately seem to have more enthusiastic ride ops, and it certainly makes the day much better. And even the large parks can get it right, the ride ops for Beast last year when I visited were outstanding, they pumped the crowd up and made the ride even more exciting. I wish more parks would put more emphisis on the spirit of the ride ops, because it is true that they are the front line troops when it comes to guest relations.

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"If you make it too smooth, it'll be like sitting in your living room."
-Bill Cobb - Designer, Texas Cyclone

I remember this a while ago from my FL trip back in 2001...

While we were at IoA, a rain storm came in and my and my dad went around riding w/o the rest of my family. Got various rides, including the Jurassic Park ride in pouring rain(while there was 3 inches of water in the seats)...quite fun.

As we moved on to Dueling Dragons, we got a few rides on ice, then moved on to fire. After being blinded from riding ice in the front, we ride fire in the 2nd row. Well, as we waited, there was a group of 4 teens prob around 14-15. 3 of them forced the 4th into the seat and pushed the restraint down and secured him in. The funny part was the ops played along with the whole thing. They made the station lights flicker and said in the speakers that the ride was having problems. Me and my dad got a good laugh out of this. There is one way that ride ops have interacted with my visits.

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G-Forces: The only positive addiction out there!
CoasterCount: 42
*** This post was edited by coasterdude04 4/22/2003 10:34:05 PM ***

colincsl...Family Guy is *never* OT......Cartoon Network, Sun-Thurs., 11:30 PM....other recommended shows: Futurama, SeaLab 2021, AquaTeen Hunger Force, The Oblongs, Brak Show, Mission Hill, Harvey Birdman...

back on topic, the employees MAKE the park, and return visit$ and $ouvenirs make the park $$$.....;)
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"Brian, there's a message in my AlphaBits, it says 'ooooooo'"
"Peter, those are Cheerios"....Family Guy is BACK!!!

Coasters where I have noticed exceptionally good staffs

The Beast-when you have ride ops leading cheers from dusk till closing it makes for one hell of an experience

Magnum-Ever since MF went in the staff at Magnum have tried to impress on their guests why there ride is better, and they do a great job pumping you up for the ride

Gemini-allthough it is fairly easy to get excited about a racer

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Summer 03-CP, HP, Canobie, SFNE, SFWOA, and SFGAm.

It's amazing how much easier it makes your job to actually enjoy it. No one ever got that when I worked at SFOG--a pity.

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Is that a Q-bot in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

swimmerkev said:
Jason Wilson said:
On Hurler, they were talking to us as we went up the lift hill, same on Thunder Road.
How?
There are speakers all the way up the lift hill that the people in the back of the station can talk into. They often rap for us or tell us to put up our hands. Then happily tell us to enjoy the ride. It really gets you pumped for the ride and makes the overall experience much better. Im sure some of the other coasters have the speakers too.

coasterpunk said:
It makes a big differance when the ride ops are having fun and are not a bunch of zombies waiting for their shift to end.
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WHAT?
WHat's wrong with Zombies? :)
One thing to consider is the rate of pay, and the amount of physical work involved. Being ride op is not a walk in the park, and dealing with jerk after jerk after jerk can really wear on a person. I've found the best way to get a smile is to give one, if they don't give one back I don't take it personally, cause I've had bad days too.
SAM
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never met a coaster I didn't ride (except Junior Geminii) :(

Sam makes a great point here. Ride ops do not have an easy job and they get paid very little for what they do. Many people complain to guest services when the ride ops suck or if you feel that the rides are running too slow. Has anyone here gone to guest services and told them about an exceptionally good crew?

I make it a point to let Guest Relations at a park know about exceptionally good crews. For example, the Boss crew at SFStl was one of the most motivated crews I have ever seen (Disney and CP included) and I took the time to find out the name of the person who was the lead for the ride, talked to him and thanked him and then talked to Guest Relations. The more positive comments they get from us, the General Public, the more incentive they have to be motivated and do a great job.

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Bob Hansen

Operation Wicked Twister
Goal: Lose enough weight (50lbs) to ride Wicked Twister in 2K3
Progress: 25 pounds since 1-1-2003

The ride ops on magnum and MF are great, I think mainly because they get to ride before and after evryone else

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TOP THRILL DRAGSTER I await your coming see you on may 4.
*** This post was edited by CP Dude 4/23/2003 10:20:12 AM ***

Sam A. Marks said:

WHat's wrong with Zombies? :)
Nothing at ALL, Sam.....some of my best friends are *Zombies*....;)
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"Brian, there's a message in my AlphaBits, it says 'ooooooo'"
"Peter, those are Cheerios"....Family Guy is BACK!!!

I work at Scream! and I'm usually pretty enthusiastic. Like others have said, we are underpaid and very unappreciated. I always try to have fun with the guests when I'm at control panel or any other line position. I get really pissed off when we have slow dispatch times or stacking. I usually just say a few words to my lead or the person who is going slow and they usually listen. Arg, I just hate the guy who opens the gates too slow. :)

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Xperience The Xtreme