Operator error?
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Kay guys,,you will think I am weird....and this may be true..but I was surfing out of boredom the other day and I looked up amusement park accidents just to see what I could dig up and possibly scare myself even more before I come to the Point..anyhoo.....I learned that a good bit of park accidents occur due to OPERATOR ERROR!!! (though most occur due to stupid passengers). For instance..did you hear of the twelve year old boy who fell from a ride similar to power tower because his harness wasnt locked....well he died..fell out when the magnetic brakes kicked in. The park is being sued by dozens of onlookers (not to mention the boys family) due to post traumatic stress syndrome...understandable.
Well..you guys always check the harness right? ya never skip one? or give it a half assed tug? I personally check my own about twenty times before the ride moves...call me crazy!
I was just curious about how you guys are trained and what not. Some parks seem to lack big time.
I will say that I don't recall seeing any incidents involving the point!
Just curious as to how you are trained for such a job. I don't think most people think about the importance of your job often, they tend to think of it as fun..I am sure it is fun too! I know I would enjoy it.
I hope I didn't anger anyone...this is I suppose a strange thing to discuss...but I did say I was weird!
Thanks!
Kruggie
Well..you guys always check the harness right? ya never skip one? or give it a half assed tug? I personally check my own about twenty times before the ride moves...call me crazy!
I was just curious about how you guys are trained and what not. Some parks seem to lack big time.
I will say that I don't recall seeing any incidents involving the point!
Just curious as to how you are trained for such a job. I don't think most people think about the importance of your job often, they tend to think of it as fun..I am sure it is fun too! I know I would enjoy it.
I hope I didn't anger anyone...this is I suppose a strange thing to discuss...but I did say I was weird!
Thanks!
Kruggie
I could be wrong here but I do believe most amusement park/ride related accidents are caused by rider stupidity/mechanical error. Not as in the case of the horrid accident you spoke of above. I know that on Raptor we are taught to yank (HARD) on the seat belts and give the harness a good tug. What you may not notice while pulling out of the station is we give all the seat belts the "once over" to be sure no one has undone theirs (in error or not-it does happen)
And if we see one we call a "hold" and get it fixed before allowing the train to continue on.
It is NOT the seat belt that keeps the rider safe on Raptor, it is all in the harness. Our #1 goal at CP is guest safety and fun. It is up to the guests to listen and abide by the rules.
I think our track record speaks for itself!!
Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
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If I cant ride it, rope it, pull a trailer behind it, then I dont want it!! Cowgirl up!!
And if we see one we call a "hold" and get it fixed before allowing the train to continue on.
It is NOT the seat belt that keeps the rider safe on Raptor, it is all in the harness. Our #1 goal at CP is guest safety and fun. It is up to the guests to listen and abide by the rules.
I think our track record speaks for itself!!
Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
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If I cant ride it, rope it, pull a trailer behind it, then I dont want it!! Cowgirl up!!
Absolutely our goal is safety -- not only will we check your harness to be sure that it is locked, but that's why we also make sure it is pushed down all the way (comfortably though some people get more enthusiastic than others) and that you're seated correctly -- arms not pinned, etc. All the rides do similar checks when the ride is in motion to be sure that everything stays fine, and we have the E-Stop (emergency stop) button in case we do note something that shouldn't be and need to stop the ride immediately.
Training involves a video about the ride/location that emphasizes customer service and safety, checklists (more for liability) that show that you do know which procedures to follow, and an operator test that you must pass in order to operate controls. Other training is the on-the-job type when you're learning the positions and how to speil, etc. All the crews I've been on work well together, and everyone watches out for everyone else so that you are all covering one another. Yes, there is operator error on occasion, but nothing so severe as that incident, certainly. The only time that I've ever seen a train dispatched before harnesses were checked was a miscommunication among the crew, and I was furious but luckily it turned out all right, and NEVER happened again. (We had auto-locking bars anyway so it is overly redundant just in case).
CP has nothing to worry about safety-wise... That's why all those checks come first! :)
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
Training involves a video about the ride/location that emphasizes customer service and safety, checklists (more for liability) that show that you do know which procedures to follow, and an operator test that you must pass in order to operate controls. Other training is the on-the-job type when you're learning the positions and how to speil, etc. All the crews I've been on work well together, and everyone watches out for everyone else so that you are all covering one another. Yes, there is operator error on occasion, but nothing so severe as that incident, certainly. The only time that I've ever seen a train dispatched before harnesses were checked was a miscommunication among the crew, and I was furious but luckily it turned out all right, and NEVER happened again. (We had auto-locking bars anyway so it is overly redundant just in case).
CP has nothing to worry about safety-wise... That's why all those checks come first! :)
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
You have to understand that sometimes it isn't the park's training that isn't that good, but the actual employee doing the front line work. I've seen both at the park I work at and other places how some employees really abide by rules and policies and some don't. It frustrates me how people can just ignore thier training. The biggest pet peeve of mine is handsignals. They are sooooo necessary yet many ops don't properly use them.
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Adventuredome Ride Op 2000 - present
Future CP Ride op?
vegasbaddboy, I couldn't have said it better. Kudos.
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
Maybe I'm a little nieve but i have to say that, before i worked at cedar point I trusted the staff at Alton Towers. Since then I have come to realise that nothing can compare to CP and safety is something that only CP can guarantee and as my spiel goes "we are not kings island, we are not geauga lake, we will!!! check your seatbelts before you leave the station"
I don't want to put anyone down here, but at CP I have witnessed on occasion the operators do a slight tug on the lap bars and seatbelts on certain rides, not that there was a problem, but there have been times that operators haven't done a "hard tug" as they should have..but, still I trust the operators to do their job right, and so far have had no problem, keep up the good work!
P.S. They may not have to do a "hard tug" on certain rides...maybe????
P.S. They may not have to do a "hard tug" on certain rides...maybe????
Thanks for all the good info..I enjoy learning about your jobs! I am also glad to know that you all seem to recognize the importance of your jobs! I am from pittsburgh..(please dont throw things at me) ..so my home park is Kennywood. It seems more often than not there are a bunch of zit faced teeneyboppers running the rides and I recall being on the pit-fall...(similar to powertower) and the ride operator merely walking around and touching ever so slightly the harnesses. Never yanked a one! Like I stated earlier...I yank my own out of total fear. Look what happened to the poor boy who didn't! I honestly think most people check there own a time or two before pulling out.....or up. I realize that most rides have some sort of automatic lock device and that is a good thing but as that little kid learned they don't always work...just one seat in a row of four didn't lock. I can only immagine how the person who was supposed to check those feels. I would have probably taken a bridge!
Don't get me wrong...I don't mean to knock Kennywood at all..I am quite observant when it comes to who's running the ride my kids are on and I have seen some good ones and some flakes more worried about getting their tan. I will have you all know that good ole six flags makes me very squimish when it comes to ride saftey after gazing through accident reports. I also learned that your chances of being injured at an amusment park are statistically about the same as winning the lottery.....which is good for me cause I never win anything!
I also think that giving a hard yank on every harness on every ride has got to be exhausting! I can understand that after six hours of doing so many yanks....the hands would go numb! and the yank would naturally weaken to a mere tug.
My hat is tipped to all of you for giving a crap, taking pride in your jobs, and doing them well.
I am looking foreward to having you stuff me into a seat and yank on my harnesses! I shall also try and refrain from puking on your rides and if I or my children do....I will insist that you let me clean it up...and if for some reason I am not allowed to...I will buy you dinner...or let you puke in my car..fair is fair right?
Seriously though I hope you all have a great season and I look so forward to seeing your park!
TWELEVE DAYS AND COUNTING!
Kruggie
Don't get me wrong...I don't mean to knock Kennywood at all..I am quite observant when it comes to who's running the ride my kids are on and I have seen some good ones and some flakes more worried about getting their tan. I will have you all know that good ole six flags makes me very squimish when it comes to ride saftey after gazing through accident reports. I also learned that your chances of being injured at an amusment park are statistically about the same as winning the lottery.....which is good for me cause I never win anything!
I also think that giving a hard yank on every harness on every ride has got to be exhausting! I can understand that after six hours of doing so many yanks....the hands would go numb! and the yank would naturally weaken to a mere tug.
My hat is tipped to all of you for giving a crap, taking pride in your jobs, and doing them well.
I am looking foreward to having you stuff me into a seat and yank on my harnesses! I shall also try and refrain from puking on your rides and if I or my children do....I will insist that you let me clean it up...and if for some reason I am not allowed to...I will buy you dinner...or let you puke in my car..fair is fair right?
Seriously though I hope you all have a great season and I look so forward to seeing your park!
TWELEVE DAYS AND COUNTING!
Kruggie
Kruggie...
That accident you referred to where the 12-year-old kid fell from the drop ride...I don't think that was operator error. I don't think the restraint failed. I think...and this is only my opinion...that the kid came out of that ride because of a design flaw with the car, because a shoulder bar by itself cannot adequately restrain a person in a floorless vehicle, such as a car on an Intamin Giant Drop. Shortly after it happened I took a ride on the Hellevator at Kentucky Kingdom and demonstrated (before the car was lifted) how it could happen. That's why the safety belts have been added to those rides, not to keep the bar from opening, but to keep the rider from sliding out under the bar.
Just passing through this forum today...
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
That accident you referred to where the 12-year-old kid fell from the drop ride...I don't think that was operator error. I don't think the restraint failed. I think...and this is only my opinion...that the kid came out of that ride because of a design flaw with the car, because a shoulder bar by itself cannot adequately restrain a person in a floorless vehicle, such as a car on an Intamin Giant Drop. Shortly after it happened I took a ride on the Hellevator at Kentucky Kingdom and demonstrated (before the car was lifted) how it could happen. That's why the safety belts have been added to those rides, not to keep the bar from opening, but to keep the rider from sliding out under the bar.
Just passing through this forum today...
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Kruggie, no problem. :) I've been to other parks that give me the shivers compared to CP: no spiels, no one checking heights, very little checking bars, etc. And yet, even though their safety standards would not appear to be as strict as CP's, I have come to believe one thing about ride safety: it all depends on the rider. If you ride responsibly, not kidding and joking around, showing off, or trying to do things that you KNOW are irresponsible, then you won't have any problems. Hold on to lose items, leave them behind, or give them to someone not riding. Always fasten your seatbelt/lapbar/harness securely - comfortably of course, but don't leave gaps that could hold another person. Always double-check your children. Be sure that your friends are following the rules. If you are a courteous and responsible rider, you have nothing to fear.
Now, I know that there are always exceptions and accidents that could not have been forseen. Those are tragic and unfortunate, but never let that disrupt your enjoyment of a good and safe park. Have fun, that's what it's all about!
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
Now, I know that there are always exceptions and accidents that could not have been forseen. Those are tragic and unfortunate, but never let that disrupt your enjoyment of a good and safe park. Have fun, that's what it's all about!
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
Kruggie...i'm also from the pittsburgh area, and will be working at cedar point too...i go to kennywood at least 4 times a year, and they have the worst saftey inspection...they are more concerned about hitting on u, then checking to make sure if your in the seat right...where are u gonna be working?
Kath2529,
Unfortunatly,, While you guys are having fun working at CP,,,I will be here in pittsburgh administering medications to thousands of alzhieimers patients. I never had the experience of buckling someone in and sending them off. My experiences involve dodging punches...committing the insane...the occasional ennema....(if you havent guessed I am a nurse). I am rethinking my carreer decisions though! CP sounds darn good to me!
Unfortunatly,, While you guys are having fun working at CP,,,I will be here in pittsburgh administering medications to thousands of alzhieimers patients. I never had the experience of buckling someone in and sending them off. My experiences involve dodging punches...committing the insane...the occasional ennema....(if you havent guessed I am a nurse). I am rethinking my carreer decisions though! CP sounds darn good to me!
I don't know kruggie, sounds pretty much the same to me! ;)
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
*Thanx!*
Everyone has their favorite and least favorite positions to work. Personally, I don't like entrance all that much, because you really do hear the "am I tall enough" crack about once every 90 seconds, and even if you're sitting RIGHT NEXT to the sign that displays the time everyone asks you "how long is the wait?" I prefer to be up where the action is on the coasters, so any of the platform positions work for me: load, unload, controls. Crowd control is a bit tedious, because you're still not really into it as much.
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
Everyone has their favorite and least favorite positions to work. Personally, I don't like entrance all that much, because you really do hear the "am I tall enough" crack about once every 90 seconds, and even if you're sitting RIGHT NEXT to the sign that displays the time everyone asks you "how long is the wait?" I prefer to be up where the action is on the coasters, so any of the platform positions work for me: load, unload, controls. Crowd control is a bit tedious, because you're still not really into it as much.
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
Crowd control SUCKS!!!! WORST position EVER!!
Entrance is not that bad, once you learn how to ignore the idiots. Last season while at entrance I was learning to balance the candy cane on my foot, wonder how long I can do that this year?
Besides entrance gives you a chance to talk to people, see some of your friends,and watch the activity on the midway. Controls and speils (unload 1) my absolute FAVORITES :)
(especially when friends of mine are riding)
Cant wait to do it again!! :)
Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
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If I cant ride it, rope it, pull a trailer behind it, then I dont want it!! Cowgirl up!!
Entrance is not that bad, once you learn how to ignore the idiots. Last season while at entrance I was learning to balance the candy cane on my foot, wonder how long I can do that this year?
Besides entrance gives you a chance to talk to people, see some of your friends,and watch the activity on the midway. Controls and speils (unload 1) my absolute FAVORITES :)
(especially when friends of mine are riding)
Cant wait to do it again!! :)
Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
2001 Raptor Crew
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If I cant ride it, rope it, pull a trailer behind it, then I dont want it!! Cowgirl up!!
I agree with LuvRaptor, Crowd control SUCKS!!!! WORST position EVER!! Especially when rotation gets messed up. Entrance is great because you get to talk to the guests (you learn to ignore the duckwalkers). Load 2 on Raptor can also be a pain if you have to pregroup. Load 1, Unload 1, and Controls rule!
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Kevin
2000 Raptor Crew
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Kevin
2000 Raptor Crew
I think I would most enjoy doing the speils...I could have a good time with that. Is their a script you are to follow..or are you allowed to be creative as long as you lay down the rules?
I could have alot of fun there I think...second choice would probably be unload...I would enjoy the enjoyment of the riders...see'em comming back smiling.
I could have alot of fun there I think...second choice would probably be unload...I would enjoy the enjoyment of the riders...see'em comming back smiling.
There is a script, but you are allowed to embellish within reason. There are times when managment will want you to embellish by adding the stats of the ride (height, drop, speed, inversions, etc.), but you always have to have the basic safety information. One of my friends worked on Snake River Falls, and they were asked to include the dimensions of the wave created by the splashdown in their speils. It is a fun position, but it gets tedious, especially if you're really trying to be enthusiastic but rotation is messed up and you're there for an hour! Yikes!
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
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PO!NT OF VIEW - A Different Look at Roller Coasters
http://www.crosswinds.net/~justmayntz/thrills/
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