A couple ride operation questions..

I know that there are a lot of posts about ride operators on this site but I just have a few that come to mind that I haven't heard answered.

1. As a ride op, is it likely that one day you'd be at Raptor, and say the next, on Millennium Force? Is there alot of switching around? I noticed that the coaster crews seemed to vary a good amount from day to day last year.

2. I'd be working there in 2007, right after I graduate high school. My graduatation isn't til like June 10th or so. Could I still get a job and say start during mid June?

3. Considering that it would be my first year, and that I would miss all of May, would it be hard to request to be on a rollercoaster or is it hit or miss?

4. I'm assuming I have to fill out a resume and application and all, and that if I do that before the season and I tell them from the beginning that I'm not going to be there until June, do you think I'd have an equal shot of getting first picks at rides?

I'm not really picky but it would sorta suck to run the Scramber everyday all summer. A coaster would be more fun because it wouldn't be just me, it would be other people as well running the ride.

Thanks for your help.

Oh and one more thing. It may seem great to have an amusementpark at your use on your days off, but do the rides get boring since you are there everyday? *** Edited 3/24/2005 10:13:22 PM UTC by skifan23***

Usually in the beginning of the season when not everyone is there there is switching around. But once it gets going the crews seem to settle down. Yes You do have a chance in rides alot of people dont start until June. When I was the TL in 1999 I had new crew coming in at all times during the season. And it is possible to get a coaster coming in June. But that is always a hit or miss depending on where they need people. Good Luck to you in 2007. I might still be there. I also worked just weekends in the beginning of the season and the End when they needed people the most and I worked Mantis.
*** Edited 3/24/2005 11:50:53 PM UTC by debbroski***

Thanks for the info. I'd like to work coasters because it's non stop movement and I think it would be fun. I wouldn't be picky about coasters but it would be sweet to run Raptor or Millennium Force for the summer.

Question 1, as debbroski stated you might work a different ride/area at any time. Mostly, they need help in Kiddy Kingdom or Peanuts playground (once a week when I worked there they needed the help the most in the kiddy areas). I remember one time, we were called from Raptor to test ride MF just so they wouldn't get another roll back. You never know! Plus park ops usually asks if anyone is willing to go work a certain area.

2. CP works well around school schedules, I don't doubt that they can work around yours.

3. Get hired at CP first and then mention to park ops that "if they ever need an extra hand at (Raptor, etc), I would be willing to work through my splits or on my day off to help out if they need it."

4. I would wait and see who is interested in your application first. Remember, the less picky you are in the area you want to work in, the better chance you have at getting a job there (that is what I was told to say to applicants when I was a campus ambassador). I know there is a better chance the second year you work there to "suggest" to park ops where you would really like to work the next summer.

Hey, don't knock working scrambler (AKA Matterhorn triangle), that is where I started and you got to move and work different rides quite a bit. I ended the summer on Cadillac cars and Raptor. Park ops LOVES flexible people who are willing to work anywhere they need a hand.

Your time off doesn't have to be solely spent at the park, go into Sandusky, take a trip to another town or another amusement park. Personally, I didn't get sick of hanging in the park.

1) I've worked 3 different rides in one day. It was from picking up extra shifts. If you ask to cross train a lot and tell your supervisors that you are willing to work any ride on demand, then you will work more rides.

You get contracted to one ride, if you don't transfer, that will be where you work more of your time. Most people don't work other rides more than about a week out of the entire summer or less. They usually want to stick with their own crew.

2) The more critical dates you can work, the better. May dates are somewhat critical. The first half of August are somewhat critical dates too. The real critical dates are from mid August till the end of the season. Again, the more critical dates you can work, the better.

3) If you request a fast pace ride, you will be more likely to get a roller coaster. The more critical dates you work, the better. If you can work most of them, you can choose what ride you want to work.

4) Returners get first choice. Most of the time, there are few returners even on major roller coasters. Apply as soon as you can, usually early to mid December, but that will probably change. The sooner you get your application in, the better choice you will get.

5) With scrambler, you at least get to work 3 rides. Matterhorn Triangle includes Scrambler, Dodgems, and *gasp* Matterhorn. The circular rides usually get the Internationals, so you won't likely have to work there. Sky Ride and the Water rides are fun rides to work. Though sky ride is very fast paced, AKA 9.5 second dispatch interval. Admittedly, it makes long days go by fast when running. When you are down for weather you will either get sent home/ to other rides/ or will have to clean stuff.

wow i can't believe you're worrying about it 2 years in advance. Crazy. Well at least you'll know what you're doing.

"Oh and one more thing. It may seem great to have an amusementpark at your use on your days off, but do the rides get boring since you are there everyday?"

Some people get sick of CP, other grab rides on a regular basis. It's all based on your personality and how you like working at the park. Some people love it, others can't wait to leave it.

I agree that it's a bit early to be researching, but whatever. It's something to look forward to. Looking forward to going to CP for the summer in a few weeks does wonders to hellish curriculum.

haha. I've never been to CP but I'm going to be working there in 3 weeks.. Crazy.. It should be different.

Thanks for the response guys.

Sorry I'm just a bored high school student who want to get out of here lol.

Do you just send in an application or is there an interview too?

You do the application online.. No resume needed.. It's really simple. I think there's a survery testing your qualities and ethics. But yeah different depts. will start reviewing your app, and then someone will most likely call you. Honestly, it was the easiest interview I've ever done. I spend all day preparing for it, and then it didn't even matter... lol. Oh well. =)

Hey...I graduate in 3 years (08) and I am thinking about working at CP.

Chances are, CP will still be there to overwork and underpay you. :)