Hiring new employee

Hello! My name is Michael, I currently am a team leader at six flags over Georgia. I have been a team leader over various rides now for almost a year here and was wondering if I got a job in the rides department would I be able to start as a team leader or co team leader? I am very familiar with a ride SOP and doing a ride schedule and planning out breaks. I have mastered being a leader over all the rides I have been too. I know how to handle a ride breakdown and Guest injuries on the ride and fights in the queue house/line. I am currently over the Georgia cyclone coaster, one of the wooden coasters here at six flags over Georgia. I know exactly the in and outs of roller coasters. For example: Proximity switches, photocells, up-stop rollers, guide wheels, main brakes, station brakes, mid course brakes, block systems, feed motors and exact location of everything on a ride. At six flags we do have Designated ride SOP's (depending on the ride you get) and we do have to take an attendant and operators test for each ride. Does cedar point require team leaders/ team members to take a test on the knowledge of each coaster? And not to get side track of my main question, can I get hired as a ride team leader/co leader?

Thank you!

I'm not too sure what you could be hired as. I know it's easier to be hired in leadership your first year at Cedar Point IF you're transferring from another Cedar Fair park. Quite frankly, Cedar Fair parks are managed differently from Six Flags parks.

Also, not to sound mean, but unless Cedar Point would contact Six Flags over Georgia, they wouldn't have any knowledge of your leadership skills. At least with Cedar Fair parks, it's all in the same database.

In short, I don't know. But it doesn't hurt to apply and get the interview. Or maybe even call the park during operation Friday-Sunday this weekend.

I second what TwistedWicker77 said. And to answer your question about tests, yes we have to take whats called "visual board" tests for the rides, but the test is only necessary for the controls position.

Oh okay, yeah I'll call and see what they say about leadership positions. Again I can give them proof of being a Lead at my ride. I'm so use to being in a leadership position that it would be nice to be in that position again. I did talk to one human resource person and they said if I have been in some type of leadership position in any amusement park (six flags, cedar fair, etc...) it would be considered for me to be a team leader or at least a co leader. Tests are a breeze for me. I feel it's a lot easier than six flags operational tests they give.

If you don't get leadership, don't be down about it. Just do your job and have fun with it. For all you know, your ride supervisor may appoint you as an in charge. Make friends with your crew, and don't tell your supervisor or team leader how to do their job. One thing leadership and management doesn't like at Cedar Point are power trippers. Believe it or not, we get a lot of first years who power trip because they think they can do a better job.

And in my opinion, I actually think it would work out better not being in a leadership position right off the bat. Surely Cedar Point and SFoG have different ways of doing things, and this would allow you to adapt. Being an appointed in charge will still give you some leadership time, but only when your supervisor and team leader aren't around.

You'll have to prove yourself more than returning TLs and Sups since management doesn't know you. Also Six Flags isn't looked at too highly so I can't say CP would immediately hire you in as a leadership spot.

You do have to take Visual Board Tests that go over all the logistics of the ride and how the safety systems are utilized, and also what procedure is for downtime or other issues. If you don't take that or don't pass then you won't be able to be a controls host which is required from leadership.

I looked into both parks and can tell you that CP is a much better employer and also is respected more since they go through more audits and training for safe procedures, at least that's from what I heard and read.

CP seems more structured, I mean six flags makes us take tests and having to read SOPs for either being"Attendant" certified or "operator" certified for specific rides. I like That CP allows team members to operate, unlike six flags where only In Charges and Leads can operate. Trust me it was a pain trying to find someone to run my break when I was the only operator starting out at my ride LOL