Time to move on?

sirius_kid · #1 11-11-2005, 06:50 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen May I have your attention please.....

I use to say that on the microphone but now the season is over. I worked at my ride for 4 years. Now I think Its time to move on, meanign a new ride. I work at PKD Paramount's Kings Dominion, I worked on Volcano crew now I think I want Hypersonic.

Any other guys out there that thinks its time to move on? Also by the way I love popular rides, I like dealing with the drama with the guest, line cutting and over all atmostphere. It keeps my day going by faster and quicker I find popular rides intresting. What about you?

PGH_Steeler · #2 11-11-2005, 07:32 PM

Dang 4 years at the same ride crew! Thats a long time in one place. I've only been working at Kennywood for 2 years and I've already been on 2 different crews. Next year i will be going to a new crew. I can't see my self staying in the same place for years like some people do. I have to move around. Every year i work at KW i'm moving to a different ride crew. But yeah it's time to move on. It's fun learning how to run different rides. And popular rides are fun, more people in line makes the day go a lot faster.

Carowinds 73-03 · #3 11-11-2005, 11:21 PM

I was at Vortex for 3 years and 2006 will be my 2nd year at Top Gun but after 2006 it will be time for me to move on as well to Carowinds new 2007 coaster.

Sandy W · #4 11-12-2005, 07:21 AM

Sirius Kid since you are now 18 as profile states you would have had to been on that ride crew since you were 14 years old. The math just does not add up. Unless at fourteen you could have been an attendant just with heightcheck or something. I always thought cut off starting age to be 15 years old.

TopGun2004 · #5 11-12-2005, 10:08 AM

I believe that if you work at a steel roller coaster you have to be 18 and you said that you worked at volcano fo 4 years it is highly unlikely that you worked Volcano when you were 14

RollerNut · #6 11-12-2005, 09:07 PM

I do too, but maybe the age requirements are different up there.

RollerNut · #7 11-12-2005, 09:26 PM

It is different at PKD "All applicants must be at least 15 years of age or older to apply and interview" Isn't it a federal law that you have to 16 to operate heavy machines? 15 year olds have to a work permit, and can't work but certain hours.

sirius_kid · #8 11-12-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy W

Sirius Kid since you are now 18 as profile states you would have had to been on that ride crew since you were 14 years old. The math just does not add up. Unless at fourteen you could have been an attendant just with heightcheck or something. I always thought cut off starting age to be 15 years old.

when your 15 yes you can work at (PKD) I use to work Merchandise in the shop that you leave to exit volcano. Its called Expedition gear and during the preseason. Volcano crew along with the entire ride department was short handed. I worked there until March when new applicants where working there. Then summer time came I was back to working other shops and stuff. Then Post season came(end of the season) I think park wide the park was short handed. We was using mechanics to run rides also. I was just there to help the crew run breaks. Yes 15 year olds not suppose to run rides but there was a special exception. And plus Volcano& Scrambler are together so I might at times go over there. So people from scrambler could go to volcano. ugh! so confusing so techincally thats 4 years I turned 18 this year. when I was 16 I immediatly went to the ride dept. Volcano crew:d

sirius_kid · #9 11-12-2005, 11:05 PM

o yea and I could never close because I was 15.

RollerNut · #10 11-12-2005, 11:39 PM

That makes sense now that you explained it. Sorry for doubting you.

Raptor · #11 11-13-2005, 01:57 AM

Well, to answer this thread's question...

This summer was my first time working at a park, and I was on 4 different ride crews in one summer. So I'd say you'd probably want to move on and get a change of pace.

TopGun2004 · #12 11-19-2005, 06:25 PM

i still dont see it how u r only 18 and but you were able to work a 18 year old ride 4 years ago

Carowinds2005 · #13 11-19-2005, 06:54 PM

I dont see how you could work the coaster either. Im 16 and I was not allowed to work Top Gun (18) even though it was on the South Carolina side. The reason being because the park considers it a Major Attraction, and thats park rules not the State.

sirius_kid · #14 11-20-2005, 04:32 PM

blah o well I only worked volcano like little after march then after that I stop. Then end of the season I started for fea fest sense I had checklist there o well blah! :|

sirius_kid · #15 11-20-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildeFyre

^what?
did you ever work on the coaster crew itself before you were 17/18?
That's the only question a few of us want answered because most, if not all, parks dont let anybody under 17 on the platform to work, that includes checking restraints or pressing the tiniest button.

WOW you cant work under 17? well I dont know if its a state law or a park rule, but you have to be 16 or older to operate roller coasters, but sense during that time period the park was short handed meaning the entire ride dept was low and staff, Some employees didnt show up fired quit etc. But never the less I only worked there very short period of time, so I consider that techinically 4 years or 4 seasons.

RollerNut · #16 11-20-2005, 11:01 PM

I don't care for the idea of having 16 and 17 year old operators. We have them at Carowinds but they don't operate Thrill Rides or coasters.

sirius_kid · #17 11-21-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildeFyre

It was a park rule, I thought it ran through the Paramount chain, but I guess not.
Honestly, I wouldn't trust a 16yr old operating the rides.

Well whats wrong with having some one 16, Its some peopple are older that doesnt understand what there doing or dont do it well. I think its based on the person training and determination to do the job.

PKIDelirium · #18 11-21-2005, 11:14 AM

at PKI you can check restraints and be driver trained at 16.

Supervisors hsve to be at least 17

RollerNut · #19 11-21-2005, 12:21 PM

Simple, a 16 or 17 doesn't have the ability to make decisions in two seconds or less no matter how well they are trainned.

sirius_kid · #20 11-21-2005, 01:55 PM

wow supervisor can be 17 at PKI hmm at Kings dominion have to be 18 or older. O well I guess its not a park wide thing geeze 17 ? Anywayz 16 0r 17 can make split second discions based on the situation. If there well trained to deal with it it will be done. But if a situation arise which the park did not even consider telling them then o well on there own.

Carowinds2005 · #21 11-21-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollerNut

I don't care for the idea of having 16 and 17 year old operators. We have them at Carowinds but they don't operate Thrill Rides or coasters.

RollerNut your wrong. Ok Here is how it works at PC. On South Carolina side you have to be 16 to work rides, coaster or not ( ie. check lap bars, assign seats, controls, everything.) And there are coasters that 16 year olds run- Thunder Road, Runway Reptar ect. On North Carolina side you have to be 18 to do anything. And with TL (supervisor) positions you have to be 18 and that doesnt matter what side your own.

On the other hand im going to have to side with sirius_kid. Im 16 and I work in rides. I dont see the problem with us (16) running a ride. Yes, there are 16 year olds that are not mature so as 18 year olds. But overall we do a good job, just like a 18, 22..ect. As a matter of fact my Area Manger told me he would make me a TL in a heart beat but im not old enough. So my answer is yes..we are able to run rides safely and efficiently.

TopGun2004 · #22 11-21-2005, 05:25 PM

Alright let me get more of my two cents into this for Carowinds also South Carolina side operating a major steel roller coaster (Top Gun you must be 18 no matter what) Plus Carowinds had it worse than PKD when we were short handed even when we were short handed we were only allowed 18 years old. So i dont know what your park was doing or if its just there rule but at carowinds you must be older as rides get bigger.

sirius_kid · #23 11-21-2005, 05:43 PM

wow I know it must be tuff for Carowinds to run sense there in two states. Pretty crazy

RollerNut · #24 11-21-2005, 05:47 PM

Sorry, Josh. I forgot you were 16. In the case of Thunder Road and OddCoaster, thoose are some old looking 16 year olds.
"Simple, a 16 or 17 doesn't have the ability to make decisions in two seconds or less no matter how well they are trainned."

Let me correct that statement:

Simple, MOST 16 or 17 year olds are too busy worrying about their boy/girl friend(s) to pay enough attention to ride operations. In turn, if a quick decision was needed, they wouldn't be able to make it, no matter how well they are trainned.

PGH_Steeler · #25 11-22-2005, 02:14 PM

At kennywood you have to be 18 to work at a roller coaster. You can be 16 to work at any other ride though. I don't know why you have to be 18 to work at coasters. There are other rides that are more dangerouse to operate than the coasters at kennywood. for instance, the rides that go upside down. I think something is more likely to happen on one of those rides than a coaster. Is it that minors are not responsible enough to operate roller coasters? I think they are. I knew a girl that was 17 working at the phantom. I think she was turning 18 that summer though so they let her work a coaster.

FlimflamShwansn · #26 11-23-2005, 01:01 AM

Regarding the 16-17 year olds. I agree they may not have mature judgement, however I trusted a some of the minors with the coaster more than some of their over-18 counterparts.

sirius_kid · #27 11-23-2005, 03:19 PM

Ok when I was 16 years old I was very dedicated to the job. So that meant doing my job very effiecietly, following all policies and there were people who where clearly older than me. That didnt care about the job basically they picked the job just to have a pay check. So would you have some one who is younger have a decication for the job. Or have some one older that doesnt care?

Tbakmtown2006 · #28 12-03-2005, 10:44 PM

I'll be starting my 4th year in Midway America. I love that group. Any time they ship us out to a different group I hate it. Now for Christmas Candylane, Midway isnt open so we are working in the rest of the park. Some of its ok but its not as good as Midway. Like today I worked at the very first ride in the park. You have riders as soon as the park is open, in Midway it took about 15 minutes before you would get any riders because of how far away it is.

coasterell · #29 12-21-2005, 02:37 AM

I am ready to move on and work at Raging Wolf Bobs...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode