How Do I Become A Roller Coaster Ride Operator For 2014 Season?

I plan On working at Cedar Point next season for a ride operator position. I've been waiting since I was 14 to get a job at Cedar Point and now since my 18th birthday is in August this year, I am going to try really hard to get a job! I just have some questions and tips on how to get the job. I would like to know like how hard the interview is, maybe you guys could give me some questions you got asked during the interview? How hard is operating the rides? Do you move to different rides weekly, or do you stay on the same ride the whole season? Does the operator have to be extremely sociable with the crowd? Whens the best time to fill out the application, and how to get the interview?
Any other tips you can give me would be nice thanks :D

Thanks for the help guys!

Interview isn't hard, standard stuff, biggest accomplishments, reasons they should hire you, ask you about situations (difficult customer/ect.). Just answer truthfully and honestly, you're selling youself! Operating the rides aren't hard per say, just sometimes fast paced and long hours in Ohio weather. You may move to rides due to manning (I went to be an in charge at Monster/Witches wheel while their TL/ATL was gone, Fridays for halloweekends Corkscrew was closed so I worked Power tower/Magnum depending on the weekend). Other than that you'll stay at your home ride/s unless something pops up or changes (operational, get paperwork, ect.) People skills are needed IMO, however there are those I have not seen with them, but they do help. Fill it out ASAP when the 2014 application goes online (usually very early in January).

Biggest tips, go in with an open mind, soak it all in, and go to the park each day knowing it's your job to keep the guests safe no matter what, and give them the most fun they can while they're with you entrusting you with their safety. Do that and every day will be great, maybe stressful and annoying from here to there (guests will drive you up the wall at times), but go in and out knowing that and you'll have a good day.

Also btw, last thought, if you don't get a coaster and get a flat, stick with it, they are fun, and have a different operating life than a coaster. On flats you have more interaction, more crew cohesion I think, and have a different atmosphere. At power tower I could talk with guests in line, waiting to get on the ride, and just made things go by quicker. Coasters, you go through so many people so quickly, you maybe get 20 seconds per person at the most unless your at entrance, crowd, or they pull you aside to ask a question. Each ride has it's own crew personality and style, so just because you didn't get a coaster don't worry. Some of my fav. moments of the year were on flats. I love working coasters don't get me wrong, but flats are great too.

Travis Hodges 1 said:
I plan On working at Cedar Point next season for a ride operator position. I've been waiting since I was 14 to get a job at Cedar Point and now since my 18th birthday is in August this year, I am going to try really hard to get a job! I just have some questions and tips on how to get the job. I would like to know like how hard the interview is, maybe you guys could give me some questions you got asked during the interview? How hard is operating the rides? Do you move to different rides weekly, or do you stay on the same ride the whole season? Does the operator have to be extremely sociable with the crowd? Whens the best time to fill out the application, and how to get the interview?
Any other tips you can give me would be nice thanks :D

Thanks for the help guys!

If you have any more questions, please e-mail me at: jpadden@zanestate.edu

Travis Hodges 1 said:
I plan On working at Cedar Point next season for a ride operator position. I've been waiting since I was 14 to get a job at Cedar Point and now since my 18th birthday is in August this year, I am going to try really hard to get a job! I just have some questions and tips on how to get the job. I would like to know like how hard the interview is, maybe you guys could give me some questions you got asked during the interview? How hard is operating the rides? Do you move to different rides weekly, or do you stay on the same ride the whole season? Does the operator have to be extremely sociable with the crowd? Whens the best time to fill out the application, and how to get the interview?
Any other tips you can give me would be nice thanks :D

Thanks for the help guys!

I was also wondering the same! I hope to work a ride! Maybe I'll see you around! :)

thedevariouseffect said:
Interview isn't hard, standard stuff, biggest accomplishments, reasons they should hire you, ask you about situations (difficult customer/ect.). Just answer truthfully and honestly, you're selling youself! Operating the rides aren't hard per say, just sometimes fast paced and long hours in Ohio weather. You may move to rides due to manning (I went to be an in charge at Monster/Witches wheel while their TL/ATL was gone, Fridays for halloweekends Corkscrew was closed so I worked Power tower/Magnum depending on the weekend). Other than that you'll stay at your home ride/s unless something pops up or changes (operational, get paperwork, ect.) People skills are needed IMO, however there are those I have not seen with them, but they do help. Fill it out ASAP when the 2014 application goes online (usually very early in January).

Biggest tips, go in with an open mind, soak it all in, and go to the park each day knowing it's your job to keep the guests safe no matter what, and give them the most fun they can while they're with you entrusting you with their safety. Do that and every day will be great, maybe stressful and annoying from here to there (guests will drive you up the wall at times), but go in and out knowing that and you'll have a good day.

Also btw, last thought, if you don't get a coaster and get a flat, stick with it, they are fun, and have a different operating life than a coaster. On flats you have more interaction, more crew cohesion I think, and have a different atmosphere. At power tower I could talk with guests in line, waiting to get on the ride, and just made things go by quicker. Coasters, you go through so many people so quickly, you maybe get 20 seconds per person at the most unless your at entrance, crowd, or they pull you aside to ask a question. Each ride has it's own crew personality and style, so just because you didn't get a coaster don't worry. Some of my fav. moments of the year were on flats. I love working coasters don't get me wrong, but flats are great too.

What if you've never had a job prior? And I'm from out of state so I heard I have to do a Skype interview! Sounds scary! But I'm very outgoing and a ride host would be a great job for me!

MillenniumForceLover said:

Travis Hodges 1 said:
I plan On working at Cedar Point next season for a ride operator position. I've been waiting since I was 14 to get a job at Cedar Point and now since my 18th birthday is in August this year, I am going to try really hard to get a job! I just have some questions and tips on how to get the job. I would like to know like how hard the interview is, maybe you guys could give me some questions you got asked during the interview? How hard is operating the rides? Do you move to different rides weekly, or do you stay on the same ride the whole season? Does the operator have to be extremely sociable with the crowd? Whens the best time to fill out the application, and how to get the interview?
Any other tips you can give me would be nice thanks :D

Thanks for the help guys!

I was also wondering the same! I hope to work a ride! Maybe I'll see you around! :)

Yeah I plan on getting a job for sure! I practice everyday and get every last bit of information will need for the interview and job. I'm feeling pretty confident! So yeah see you their :D

They should know about no prior job experience from the application you submit, questions obviously will not include that, but possibly difficult time with school, ect. Not sure as I've had years of job experience before CP