2008 New Employees

Well for all of us who actually work a lot of hours, and make Cedar Point what it is $.35 bonus is crazy talk. I mean don't get me wrong the pay increase is great, and I really don't care too much about the bonus. The people that do care about the bonus though are not going to be happy. I just hope that we don't have a repeat of this past season, even though I really wouldn't mind it for the hours. I hope that the new employees that we get this year realize what a great place Cedar Point is too work.

Don't get me wrong, I -love- working there, but I'm also a cash-strapped college student going to a pretty expensive private college that isn't an amazing academic kid like some I know, so if the pay rate isn't enough, I'll be looking elsewhere. I'm basically maxed out on loans for my freshman year already, so the money factor plays a big part in my decision making. If Disney or SF Great Adventure have better pay, not to mention better housing, I'll be going there for the amusement/theme park work experience. Cedar Point has to realize that they need to stay competitive in their job market, and quite simply, the current pay scale isn't very competitive compared to other jobs and internships I could be pursuing. I'm coming back this year on the hope of a Live E tech spot doing something that I've enjoyed doing for the past few years, and rides is the second option if I don't make Live E. If I don't feel any more confident about a Live E spot for 2009 tryouts than I did for the 2008 session, I'll be looking elsewhere, especially Disney, since there's the possibility of picking up class credits there.

As far as drug testing goes, Rider is right. I never got drug tested until my fifth season when I started in Rides. In Merchandise, it was supposed to be just random drug testing. Although, in those four years I was in Merchandise, I never knew of anyone who was randomly drug tested.

I was randomly drug tested before, it was quite weird.

My boyfriend was randomed 2 or 3 times this summer, lol. Which, for those who know my boyfriend, is hilarious.

Haha, yeah, I don't know how he got it that often, but it was indeed hilarious.

When they're done without reasonable intent, you're selected based on your social security number.

DBCP said:
When they're done without reasonable intent, you're selected based on your social security number.

Exactly. And his SSN was randomly picked 2 or 3 times, lol.

I was only randomed once, but it can happen to anyone.

Even Peggy has been picked.

It's quite the experience I must say lol. Has anyone else received an email from the park lately?

I have recieved my email today and I requested one of the sweetest rides in the entire park...:)

Cad Cars? ;)

I thought you were not allowed to be the TL of a ride more than once? I got my E-mail, but I dont know if I will be returning, half of me wants to go and another half does'nt

Gee TurnPikePetey I had no idea you requested Iron Dragon, it is a pretty sweet ride isn't it.

Pete, too bad Turnpike's comes with that tilted scambler ride, shame you cant get a B-A flat like moster with it...... ;)

Hey everyone. I have been a member of this site for quite some time. Since then I have met quite a few CP employees and they all say working there was the best summers of their lives. This year, I am considering going for it just for the experience. It is really my desire to work at one of the larger rides in the park, so is there any real good suggestions that may help my cause?

I am aware of the amount of time and effort it takes to be working on the star attractions. I told myself as well as other that I am willing to work Open to Closes, 60 hour weeks... etc. I can even work Halloweekends because I will be going to school at Bowling Green so I am within driving distance. Even if I don't get chosen for a large attraction, I still want to be a Ride Op, thats for sure.

What would be the best way to go about applying? Should I just go ahead and make these comments in my application when the time comes to apply? Hope to see some of you in 2008!

I've been in merch for '06, and '07, and in both seasons I got tested twice, so it does happen.

I don't think you can state a preference location for a particular on your online application (unless you're a returner, maybe...?). They'll ask you to preference several job types, though (ride host, security, sweet, hotel clerk, etc.). When your manager calls you for an interview, that's when you have a chance to voice a preference for a certain type of location. A big qualification is that people who work on coasters can't have a fear of heights, due to the possibility of having to climb lift hills, block brakes, or other tall things, haha. Part of your training on your first day will be to walk up to these places, both so that you can be shown how to properly interact with them, and to make sure you can actually make it up. You'd be surprised how many people swear up and down they're ok with it...until you get them on the stairs 100-some feet in the air.

If it turns out that you get a location that you're not thrilled with, don't give up. People get moved around all the time. Some people don't work a single day at their "contracted" ride; they are re-assigned as soon as they process in to balance out staffing. This happens a lot early in the season. Even during the middle part of the summer, expect to spend at least a week or two somewhere else. Most supervisors like to have their people trained at a few different places to keep staffing flexible. If you have an interest in trying a new ride, let them know and they can usually work with you.

BGRooDoG said:
Hey everyone. I have been a member of this site for quite some time. Since then I have met quite a few CP employees and they all say working there was the best summers of their lives. This year, I am considering going for it just for the experience. It is really my desire to work at one of the larger rides in the park, so is there any real good suggestions that may help my cause?

I am aware of the amount of time and effort it takes to be working on the star attractions. I told myself as well as other that I am willing to work Open to Closes, 60 hour weeks... etc. I can even work Halloweekends because I will be going to school at Bowling Green so I am within driving distance. Even if I don't get chosen for a large attraction, I still want to be a Ride Op, thats for sure.

What would be the best way to go about applying? Should I just go ahead and make these comments in my application when the time comes to apply? Hope to see some of you in 2008!

Haha, I wish the weeks were just 60 hour weeks. It depends on the ride, mostly, as to what the hours are. If you're on a bigger ride, you'll be getting more hours than the smaller rides. It's definitely possible to work 80 hour weeks. When the managers call for interviews, they generally ask if you'd like to work somewhere fast paced or if you'd feel more comfortable someplace slower, if you'd prefer working with children, etc. It wouldn't hurt to let them know that you'd like to be somewhere bigger, but, that you definitely wouldn't mind being somewhere else. If you go in with an open mind, they appreciate it more. Plus, as Craig said, there's always the chance of going to another ride. My first year, I was contracted to Magnum, and I never worked a day there (I was transferred to WildCat when I processed in). If you're not at a bigger ride during the summer, ask to be crosstrained somewhere else. It will look good during your interview that you are open minded and you are aware of the time and effort you'll need to put in. Also, it will look good that you're working Halloweekends.

Here's what I learned after this summer. Don't expect to be where you were contracted to be if you're in rides. Ever. I was contracted to Skyhawk and was pretty confident I was going to be there when I processed in. When I walked into Park Op for the video session, they gave me two manuals, and at first I thought I was at Maverick, which I was excited about. Then I noticed that beneath the huge Maverick logo was Park Operations Standard Operating Procedure on one manual, and on the other...Kiddy Kingdom. Yeah, instead of going to Skyhawk, I went to Kiddy Kingdom. Honestly, I was pretty miffed, because I hate baby sitting, and the thought of doing that all day on small circulars did not sit well with me. Luckily for me, I had a friend who just happened to be the TL at a larger ride (thank you man, even though I didn't get moved to the big bug), and after trying to get me to his crew for a few days, I got moved to Blue Streak. Still not Skyahwk, but I was actually really happy there.

Moral of the story, don't expect to ever start, end up at, or go near the ride you get contracted to. Oh, and if you don't want a kids area, don't forget to mention that you don't handle baby sitting and little kids well, otherwise you may have to listen to those buzzers all day. Trust me, you can't get away from the sound either, it follows you everywhere you go, even to your dreams.