SFGAm - 10/16/11 - Good day turns craptacular...

Went to SFGam today with my daughter, a friend of hers, and the friend's dad.

Got a decent amount of rides in about 5 hours -- we saw "Love at First Fright", Wizzer, Orbit, Demon, Eagle x2, Ragin Cajun, Bumper Cars, and Terror Twister.

Terror Twister's line was what caused our day to go craptacular. As we were getting close to getting in (about 40+ minutes of waiting) a girl (mid-upper teens) was trying to line jump, we told he that it was not permitted by park rules. As I had my back turned to the front of the line, I was pushed aside by her father who told me she was with him and that he was bringing her back to his spot in line. I also told him about line jumping - he told me to deal with it, it is only one person. I said, "Fine - I will just tell the ride op about it.

When we got up to the ride op, I told her about the line jumping and the fact that the father pushed me. She went to their teacup, and (what a surprise) they denied she line jumped and denied that he pushed me. I insisted it happened and I wanted security to deal with the situation.

When our ride cycle ended, about five security people were there and they pulled us to one side and the line jumper and family to the other side. As we were talking, two Gurnee police also showed up. I (and my friend) told what happened to the security guard (twice) and then repeated it a third time to the officer.

Then the officer went over to the other group, spoke with them and came back to us. He said that they admitted that the girl left the line, came back through the line, and that the father 'nudged' me out of the way to get his daughter. I told the officer that it was more than a nudge and that I admit it while it was not assault it, along with the line jumping are against the rules of the park and they should be removed from the park. He said that decision is for the park to make.

He went back to the security officers, spoke with them and then I saw security tell the family to go. Then security came back to us and told us that they said we used the F-word when we were speaking to them and, as such, we were going to have to leave the park for the day. My friend then said we didn't swear, at whichpoint both Katie and her friend hopped up and said we didn't swear. I then said, "So..what you're telling me is line jumping AND physically pushing another patron is fine and to get away with it, you just need to allege the other person swore at you?"

She responded, "I cannot comment on that sir, but you will have to leave the park immediately."

I said, "Fine, we were actually planning on leaving for the day, anyhow. But I am shocked that we are being made to leave when they just accuse me of swearing and they admitted to line jumping and pushing me...but whatever, let's go." (We were planning on leaving anyhow.)

So -- the moral to the story? 1--Don't report line jumpers, they can get away with it if they accuse you of swearing. 2--Feel free to line jump at Great America...if someone contacts security or a ride op, tell them they swore at you as you went past...

Yikes, that is insane.

Why would Gurnee police get involved with an altercation like this? Is that typical?

Security said whenever they get called by staff to a location for a 'disturbance' GPD comes too.

That may be true during Fright Fest, but Gurnee PD doesn't get involved right away during the regular season. Either way, this has got to be one of the most messed up stories I have ever heard.

A strongly worded letter is in order, at the very least. What a load of crap.

redman822 said:

So -- the moral to the story? 1--Don't report line jumpers, they can get away with it if they accuse you of swearing. 2--Feel free to line jump at Great America...if someone contacts security or a ride op, tell them they swore at you as you went past...

Or - continue to report line jumping, and don't cut in line. I've reported line jumping - and in today's societal 'atmosphere' I am usually the only one. It's slightly embarassing, and none of the 'adults' around back me up or say anything (maybe someone will have their cell phone out to record the scene, if anything...)

It's a nasty situation. People in general are not willing to take responsibility for their behavior. I'm so sorry about your day, this really stinks. I would write a letter and send it to Hank Salemi (sp?) - park president, and also send it to the corporate office.

Heck, I may even call some local news stations...

Well, I don't know if it is worth the hassle of reporting anymore - if all the line jumper needs to do is accuse me of swearing at them to be able to get away with it, plus get my group ejected from the park...? Where's the benefit?

^Standing up for what you believe in. Integrity ;)

Yeah, but getting kicked out of the park because security believes the lies told by jumper/jumper's group? Is it really worth it?

What I don't understand is what kind of juvenile moron "security" people bounce someone on the basis of a he-said-she-said argument? That's just asking to be sued.

Lucky for the park, I am not a sue-happy person, I guess.

---I just go to a lot of coaster/amusement park websites and post about the craziness of the incident. ;) (Plus am planning on getting in touch with a contact or two whose email I know that are in senior positions at the park.)

and remember..

there are always 2 sides to every story

True, but you also have to remember I heard their side of the story from the police officer.

They admitted to the officer she line jumped and that he pushed me...they alleged I swore - which I vehemently denied.

67440Dodge said:
and remember..

there are always 2 sides to every story

As well as every racing coaster.

OK, sometimes, anway.

Not Kennywood's Racer. That thing only has 1 side.

I'm just thinking about how empty every park would be if every person I heard drop an F-bomb or otherwise swore during the day were asked to leave.

^ LOL

That's why they passed a city ordinance in Santa Clara that defined line jumping as including "leaving and returning for any reason."

Anyway, given how things have been going there lately, you are probably lucky to not have been *banned for life*.

That's why I offered up no resistance or arguing when they made their decision clear. I saw that it would not serve any appreciable bnefit, so I leer it go and will deal with management to make my point and note my dissatisfaction. (and post on coaster sites to let others know about the situation.)