NEW Policy with MF seatbelts?

We'll it can't just be Sandusky alone that made it a slow day. A lot of people from other parts of Ohio that usually come didn't come either. Then there's people from Michigan too.

5'12" Eh, Dave? Heh. ;)

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Shadow said:
Sunday, June 6 - We were not allowed past the gate due to inability to pass the test seat. I am 6'4, 215lb. and I am sure they have shortened the belts and moved them.

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You're kidding me?! For all intents and purposes by medical standards you're only about 5 pounds overweight for your height. No f***ing way! At the rate things are going pretty soon they'll be labeling anorexic people as being guests of "extreme" size. Stop the madness people!

Desann - yea, you're right - I am not overweight. I have 3 main problems with what happened:

1) My ride partner cannot ride either,

2) My kids (9 and 6) can't ride with dad, and

3) I've ridden for four years, and now I can't.

Help.

We'll how close were you to being able to ride?

I did not see much of this rule in effect during my 2 morning runs, as a matter of fact, I saw the opposite, with ride ops either helping you with your belt (by buckling it for you) or not stapling you (hey, I'm not complaining about that one). The test seat up front was getting it's fair share of use, maybe thats why they were lenient on the belt rule??? Perhaps they figure that if you have passed the grueling seat test, then you are fine. Makes you ponder and scratch your head, does it not?

Maybe if you can't see an inch of slack it is possible to slip out of the belts, as that was the problem with some of the incidents. You have to trust what CP is doing, and I know if DIck Kinzel is running the show they are going to try to keep the crowds in good moods. Have more faith.

I hope all of us that might not get on MF isn't giving up on this topic already. We should keep complaining until CP or Intamin does something about this sealt belt problem.

Has anyone pointed out this irony yet... the year they tighten seatbelts on their biggest roller coasters is the same year they open a donut shop?

I'd rather have my skeeball!

I have not fallen victim to this unfortunate change in policy, but I am in the category of people that probably would (a victim of girth, rather than height, although I'm close there, too). But the way I see it, it's good motivation to lose a few pounds. And fortunately, Cedar Point is a park I can still fully enjoy WITHOUT Millennium Force or Dragster (in fact, I enjoyed it more before either arrived). I am disappointed, because they are truly great rides and I have never felt in any danger with the previous restraints, but it's not the end of the world.

It's a conspiricy!

Don't worry I'm sure in the off-season or right now Intamin is thinking of ways where they can allow riders of extreme size to ride. They probably won't let someone 400 Ibs ride but they'll think of ways to let people ride that are having trouble this year.

Just yesterday I noticed a decent sized sign next to the test seats at MF and TTD saying "Please try the test seat." There was a bunch of smaller print below that, but I didn't look at what it said. I'd assume probably stating something about what the requirements are with the seatbelts. Just thought I'd share.

I was surprised to see the same seat belts, and especially the buckles, on PKI's Drop Zone this weekend, complete with the orange tug handles. If you think those buckles are awkward to release around your waist, try squeezing it on the front of an OTSR.

To all whom it may concern,

I currently am employed at Cedar Point and I am a ride host on Millenium Force. Now although I can fit in the ride just fine, I can definitely understand the hostile feelings towards the new seatbelt policy having been a much larger guy in the past with a 44" waist and at 5'5. There are a few things that I hope guests keep in mind when they come in line and are asked to try our test seat before they enter the line. One of them is that we are not asking you to sit in our test seat for our own amusement. We are doing it solely for the benefit of the guest before they enter the line and wait a long time to ride and then have to be asked to exit on the load platform. We are only ride hosts. We do not make policy, we only enforce it. We take a lot of crap from guests and some people handle it better then others. All we can do as ride hosts is point you to the sign that states the policy and try to explain as politely as possible that we are only doing our jobs and that complaints have to go through park operations. Even Cedar Point has nothing to do with this new seat belt policy. Intamin is behind it all. If they wanted, they could have made the policy 3" and it could be their right to do so because they designed the ride and know it's capabilities. But as ride hosts, we are pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole. We work long hours, don't get paid very much, and we take a lot of abuse from guests who seem to think it's all our fault that they were unable to fit into the seat. So if you're asked by one of the ride hosts to try the test seat, just remember that we're doing it for your benefit and not ours. Oh and the reason we don't allow any waterbottles on the actual ride is because of the potential to throw them off the lift hill. And it has always been policy to put your glasses in a secure spot unless it has a strap on it. And perhaps one of the most frustrating things that we as ride hosts would like guests to know is that we make an announcement at the unload station every time between trains about how you cannot stack any line on platform unless it is the front seat or the back seat and that if you are in a large group, we do have to split it up sometimes (although we'll try our best to keep you guys together) in order to fill in all empty rows. Maximum speed is only reached with a full train and we also have to keep our numbers up. Thats about all I guess. I apologize to any guest who felt embarrassed in any way about our new seatbelt policy and I wish there was something we as ride hosts could do, but we are only doing what our supervisors tell us to do as it is written in our policy handbook. Thank you for your time.

MF Ride Host

You haven't really added anything that hasn't been talked about, but I'm sure you have prompted another crew meeting where this gets passed around. Probably not a good idea!

BorderJumper: All I have to say is, leave the public addresses to Marketing. Jeff is more than right, it's not just "probably not a good idea," it ISN'T a good idea - take my word for it! Please email me if you have any concerns!

-Homer: Former Seasonal and Former "Silver Tag"-

**edited for a grammatical error** *** Edited 6/29/2004 6:58:29 AM UTC by Homer***

To add to what Jeff and Homer said...

...And if you are going to talk about ride operating policy, it would be better if you actually knew what the policy has been since at least May of 2000. I'll leave you guessing as to what I'm talking about.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I doubt that BorderJumper even read any of the posts on here. He probably just saw the topic and decided to post. If he even works there. Probably just trying to stir up conversation and my dumb ass is falling for it!

It contiues to amaze me as to how stupid people can be. If you work ANYWHERE, don't post as a representitive on message boards. Jeez! Common sense!

MrScott *** Edited 6/30/2004 1:07:57 AM UTC by MrScott***

Maybe he just wants to be a part of this site.