Hands UP or DOWN?

Cedar Point stresses the fact that you shouldn't put your hands up on Dragster but, how many people in here do? When I was there this year, I saw many people sticking their hands up just as the train launched. To avoid the possible smashing of my arms on launch, I avoided doing so.

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"Get busy living or get busy dying"
~Shawshank Redemption

Once the lights on the tree started, my hands went up. I don't have any injuries to report, with the exception of losing my breath! What a rush...

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Life is too short...go ride a coaster!!

When the fins go down, Arms go up!!

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Millie:20
TTD: 1
CP&LE RR: 150

I noticed that they've stopped enforcing their arms down policy. In the begginning of the year they'd play the recording repeatedly if just one person had their arms up before the launch, but now they just play it once and let her rip. I really don't think it's that big of a deal, it's the same thing as "keep your arms inside the car at all times" on any other ride.

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CP 2K3: 18
"No for real, the poopsmith is a good guy. He's just got a crappy job..." -homestar runner

just as imadj said, fins go down, arms go up!

Still have my arms after 8 launches... Imagine that.
*** This post was edited by bholcomb 9/15/2003 10:30:02 PM ***

Maybe if I get there for some weekend during HalloWeekends, I'll try putting the hands up. I always put them up at the top of the hill for the freefall effect on the way down, but I never did for the launch. I guess I always thought it would be painful. Last time I was there, the recording told us to put our hands down twice; once when we first arrived on the launch pad and another time right before the fins went down. Did they stop saying it twice?

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"Get busy living or get busy dying"
~Shawshank Redemption

If I feel the conditions are right and feel a rollback is possible hands up as soon as the first yellow light hits.

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Dan Haverlock
TTD Rollbacks 0 For 25
"get a job man!"

I put my arms up.... *shrug*

I've ridden twice this season and had my arms up both times.

Arms Up, Arms Up, Arms Up, Arms Up.... ;)

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cyberdman

The thing that I've noticed with the arms up idea is that if you aren't really careful about keeping your arms rigid or at a 45 degree angle to the line of your body (meaning your arms aren't straight up but at a diagonal), you run the risk of being pinned forward by the force of the launch or with your arms pinned back behind the head rest. Both are painful, and you can end up with either situation on the way down the top hat as well. I don't make a habit of my arms being up simply because it doesn't really add that much to the ride. Now Maggie on the other hand...

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Awww, bad day? Take a different perspective on things. Try upside down, a barrel roll, a cobra roll or a corkscrew. Life can't be all that bad when your feet are over your head!

Arms up all the way!

The ride surprised me, I thought it would be more violent at the launch especially with your arms up. But I quickly found out it was ok.

My 13 year old daughter was affraid to put her arms up too for fear of them getting pinned back. She realized quick just how awesome arms up was and has had 4 laps with arms up

What raptorgrl said. Being an old fart, and having had both shoulders dislocated in the past, I keep my arms down during the launch, but raise them as soon as we head upward. I keep them up until the brakes.

I don't want to take the chance of having my arms in an incorrect position and having them pressed behind me during the launch.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm

I put my arms up as soon as I see the first yellow light...

What's weird for me is when my arms are up and we're about halfway up the hill, I lose control of myself and my hands are forced to stay...

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2003 ~ Millennium/Dragster Ride Photo

The last time we were there (9-6/7) the "Arms Down" was played only once on 2 of our rides. The third ride is was played 3 times, as someone on the train had their hands up. They didn't put their arms downs and the train was launched.

For me, fins down, arms up. Never had any problems or pain.

They replay the recording over and over, until the people put there arms down. It went something like this...

"Welcome to Top Thrill Dragster, please keep your hands and arms inside the train at all times"

"Keep your arms down"

"Keep your arms down"

"Keep your arms down"

"Keep your arms down"

And finally, they complied and actually DID put their arms down. But when the fins dropped, arms went up...

I don't know if you've seen it, but the launch operator apparently has a box with several buttons that are presumably tied to sound effects/announcements, which is why they can rev as they please, and say "arms down" over and over again.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - My Blog
Blogs, photo albums - CampusFish
What time does the water show start?

Anyone worried about having their arms wrenched backwards (valid concern) can just do what I do. Instead of "arms up", hold your arms OUT. The launch will throw them UP, but not BACK. I've been doing that on launched coasters since a painful experience on Hypersonic (aka God's golf game with your head: "Fore!" *THWAK*)

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--Greg
My Home
MF count: 60 TDD: 5

Maybe they should have a button that gives a recorded message: "Top Thrill Dragster is currently down with a mechanical problem" :)

I had my arms up on the whole way down and was fine.