I work at Knotts, in games currently.
This summer, I plan to start in rides though! (I can't wait) Though I can't expect to work on Xcelerator right off, I would like to try the Timber Mountain Log Ride. Its cool to be a lumberjack! ;)
Heres my story. My first job was at the age of 15 (I'm 16, almost 17 now) working at Subway as a "sandwich artist." Without going into details, I'll just say that job sucked. So for a few months, I was just an unemployed SFMM fanatic visiting the park every other weekend. Then in november, with my season pass ready to expire, I decided "I go here so much already as it is, why not get paid to be here?" Best decision I ever made.
When I first hired in, the only opening they had for me was in Merchandise. Eager to work at SFMM, I decided to take that position. After a few months of working by myself in a little store right underneath S:TE (the Guest Necessity Center for all those who have visited SFMM), I found myself fueding with my supervisors and very unhappy, it was then I discovered that the operations department had openings. Immediately I put in my transfer request, and in just a few months time, my dream would come true. Finally, after 2 months of waiting for my transfer to be approved, I was a proud member of the SFMM operations department!
I began my SFMM operations crew as an attendant at Jet...err I mean Arrowhead Splashdown. I spent about a month as an attendant at Splashdown (I was never able to complete my training due to staffing issues) before I was moved up to the RRv crew! I spent 3 months on the RRv crew as an operator (actually got my training done there!) before it was time for my next big move. I became the location foreman for Sandblasters (bumper cars) and Spin Out (rotor). I am now a certified operator at both of those rides (obviously), and still currently reside at those rides. Also, I am in the process of becoming an operator at freefall, S:TE, and jet stream (for now I am only an attendant at those rides).
The people I have met, the experiences I have had, and the things I have learned are things I will never forget, no matter how long I am working at SFMM (which by the way, I plan on staying at SFMM until I graduate college...).
Bottom Line: I don't think there is a better job out there for a teenager, let alone a teenage enthusiast.
*** This post was edited by PxPx Ride Op on 6/4/2002. ***
I worked at PKI for 5 years, last summer was my last.
I started out in 1997 working on Viking Fury and Skylab, when skylab "RIP" broke down I worked on Outer Limits Flight of Fear "now Flight of Fear". I worked on Flight of Fear until 10/98. Then I worked on Face/Off in 99 opening year, then from 2000 to 2001 I worked on Face/Off and Xtreme skyflyer. In 2001 I was a supervisor. And I miss it very much, I might still work in maintainance until I get my mechanical degree, since I just got discharged from the air force.
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If you like what your riding now, just wait until its my time to design!
SOB/TG at PKI. This is my first year and Im liking the job so far. I can drive SOB, which is fun (and sometimes boring).
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http://www.islandguide.8m.com
SOB crew in twenty 02
I worked for three parks. SFWoA (when it was Geauga Lake), Disney, and Cedar Point. All were great in their own way and not-so-great in other ways. I think it is like McDonald's though. Everyone should have the experience of working at an amusement park.
You will make friends for life, and have a lot of great stories to tell!
1999 season-CP-Paddlewheel Excursions/Camp Snoopy (Woodstock Express, Red Barron, Camp Bus, Balloon Race, Lolly Swings, Tilt-o-Whirl, Snoopy Bounce, Peanuts 500)
2000 season-CP-Camp Snoopy
2000-2001 year round-IOA-Pterrannodon Fliers/Jurassic Park River Adventure. Also worked at least 1 day at every ride there except for 1 Fish 2 Fish, Poppie's and Bluto's Bilg Rat Barge, and Psoidions Fury.
2001 October-Universal Studios Florida-Actor for "RUN" haunted maze durring Halloween Horrer Nights.
Working at the parks has made me more mature and less lazy. These expierances were the best of my life. I am now back in my hometown of Altoona, PA working at my old job at a populiar home decorating store. If I ever work at a park again, it would have to be a year round and better paying job at one of my local Amusement Parks, which isn't impossible but very doubtfull.
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Tomorrow's a mystery, yesterday is history, and today is a gift and that's why it is called the present.
00-02
Place-SFSTL
Job-FS
Company-Observ
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-Uniform-$25
-Lunch $3
-Medical bills from heat stroke $200
-Working at a themepark priceless
*** This post was edited by Bossstl on 6/5/2002. ***
I work at SFMW and got to E-Stop some kids on Medusa yesterday. I didn't like how one was talking to me so I E-Stopped them half way through the station on their return. Its a great job but the pay sucks.
(E-Stop = emergency stop)
Constepated Tester said:
I work at SFMW and got to E-Stop some kids on Medusa yesterday. I didn't like how one was talking to me so I E-Stopped them half way through the station on their return. Its a great job but the pay sucks.
(E-Stop = emergency stop)
Uhm, why in the world would you press E-STOP? Not only can you not reset the ride yourself (as opposed to pressing ride stop), but if you were smart you could have just let go of the dispatch button....and leaving a whole train of guests stranded just because you were mad at a few of them is a deplorable thing to do...
*** This post was edited by PxPx Ride Op on 6/5/2002. ***
Pxpx - Yeah, thats almost as bad as stopping a ride on the lift for photo opportunities! ;)
-Jeff
I work at CP 200-2001 in Camp Snoopy(it was not as ba d as everyone thinks it is I myself have a lot of fond memories,i.e.Camp Bus my first day;anyone?anyone?)and now work Troika/Chaos/Super Himalaya triangle but hoping for a transfer to somewhere better.
sidenote:hey dexter if you are who I think you are please e-mailme I would like to hear from you again. its me PUGSLY
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*** This post was edited by RaptorTwister on 6/5/2002. ***
I worked at Opryland for the summer (3 whole months) when I was 16. It was awful (food service) and I didnt go back the next year. I wish I'd stuck with it one more year to get the chance to work a ride the following year when I was 18.
The tourists were always rude, the uniforms looked bad, it was hot, long hours (open to close), and low pay. They'd stick me out out on a cart out in the park by myself and I couldnt leave it until someone came by. No bathroom breaks when needed. Couldn't go get more change or drinks/food when I ran out (so more getting yelled at by customers). Kinda scary at 16.
We did snack on some food every now and then though and (so I heard :) ) there were quite a few parties after hours.
And a good friend did meet his wife there.
Do employees get passes for other parks in that chain?
PCarowinds said:
MisterX, I was wondering if you drove all day or not because every time rode GASM, you were driving. At PC, we have OPERATORS/ATTENDANTS like myself, who checks lapbars AND OPERATES the ride...but not at the same time. I noticed you leaving the panel to check a few restraints. PC is kinda strict on employees about leaving the panel while driving. We rotate positions every hour...which is a good thing because one would get tired of checking lapbars for an entire day, plus our driving booth is enclosed and has air conditioning.
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-Hurler Crew 2002-
Well, when you were there, I didn't anyone trained well enough to take their certification tests. Scream Machine's is about 4 hours long, so it takes a while to get someone ready (you have to make at least a 90).
Managers/supes really don't mind if you operatre and check lap bars on most coasters because you don't get too far from the panel, but at rides like Scorcher and SUF, leaving the panel would slow everything down. Plus, there are only a handful of air conditioned booths in the park, SFOG says it is to eoncourage guest interaction.
Right now I am in the process of being certified to run SUF, another grueling test. ;)
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