Some of SFA's problems explained

I was traveling back to Batwing today when I talked up a ride op who was walking back to the ride. I asked him if they were going to have two-train operation again before the end of the year. He's says no, because they can't get enough employees to run it. He says some of the employees aren't even showing up for work. I believe this also explains why some of the flat rides aren't in operation. If this problem continues, I think the last thing they need is another coaster.

-------------
Batwing-Bow Down

If only I lived about 20 minutes closer, I'd get a job there and do it right. The lack of employees is due to college kids going back to school. The same thing happened last year where few of the flat rides operated because of having no workers.

-----------------
Joshua Wilcox
Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength, mastering yourself is true power.

Joshua, I hear what you're saying about working there. But, you'd be in the minority of people who really care about their job. You can't save the world. They're still charging the same price to get in, but people aren't getting their money's worth with all the closed rides. What should they do to attract more employees? By the way, I did see them training four new employees on Wild One today.

-------------
Batwing-Bow Down

*** This post was edited by Intamin Fan on 8/20/2001. ***

I think it's a problem here in California too.  At SFMW, the same thing is happening with employees who really don't care about their jobs, are not showing up for work or are quitting.  The park is running short-handed right now on their rides, and it's affecting the overall operation of the park imo.  Sounds like the same thing that's going on at SFA.  That's the problem when a large part of your workforce is made up of high school and college kids.  I'm not saying it's true about all kids that work during the summer, but it seems to happen a lot at parks these days. 

There's really no incentive this year, from what some SF employees have told me. SF usally offers a bonus at the end of the season, but they have done away with it....apperantly chain-wide. Also, if they are so tight for employees, they are going to let them get away with everything since they can't afford to lose them......

This topic leads me to this question. How is SFMM going to effectively run daily operations in September? I am sure they have a ton of highschool and college kids working there that will be leaving around the end of August. This sounds like it will turn out to be a staffing nightmare for them.
-----------------
Chitowns 6 year old daughter says "Daddy, Dippin Dots are nasty!!" I must say that I agree!!

In many ways, working a ride is no different than fast-food. Instead of put the patty on the grill, put on burger, repeat, it's put the passenger in the seat, check the lapbar, repeat. Over and over and over again. At least at the fast-food joint you can get free food. What incentive is there at the local themepark? I think they should take people off the un-needed attractions like the rock-climbing wall, games, etc. and put them on the rides. Sure they lose the extra money, but at least people will be happier and want to come back. At least the waterpark will close soon. That'll free up some people hopefully. I agree with what John Peck said about the employees. Even though things were horribly slow yesterday , particularly on S:ROS (I believe it was taking them 3-4 minutes to load a train), I should be "happy" it's even running.
-------------
Batwing-Bow Down

*** This post was edited by Intamin Fan on 8/20/2001. ***

As far as SFMM is concearened, I am a former employee of the park and in speaking with some employees who will be working this September, SFMM is actually seeking to hire older workers for the fall. Supposedly they wish to *stack* the park in preperation of the opening of Deja Vu and X. I"m not sure how much they're willing to pay these new employees, but supposedly the incentives will be quite nice. Otherwise, your right Chitown, it will be a mess.

At Valleyfair! they hire temps for the begining and end of the season.  They also use the waterpark (before and after the waterpark opens/closes for the year.) and entertainment staff for operations in the park from time to time.  Valleyfair! offers a $1 an hour bonus if you work the whole year so you could get like 9 or 10 dollars an hour and one HUGE last paycheck.
-----------------
Cameron Willis
"You mean I can't pay with all pennies?" Six Flags Execs. buying coaster after emptying all the wishing ponds.

*** This post was edited by CoasterCameron on 8/20/2001. ***