Hey this is Jason and I was hired to be a Gemini ride op this summer. I have not yet decided whether or not to accept the job. Maybe you guys can help by answering a few questions. I am not concerned about working 12 hour days or long weeks, but I was wondering how successful I would be if I requested a few days off in the summer. Second, is the food in the employee cafeteria affordable and decent? Finally, if I arrive on May 5th, will I be likely to get my first choice of housing. Any additional information about working Gemini, rides, or the park in general would also be appreciated. I hope to see some of you this summer.
I think you have a really good chance of getting a few days off especially if you request them before the start of the season. (probably better if you plan your 'vacation' in June or July when there are more people working) But I didn't work at rides...so I'm not sure if that works out in other departments. I felt the cafe food was affordable and most of it was pretty decent. Basically I felt it was better than high school cafeteria and even better than my college cafeteria...more variety anyway. You can eat a pretty good meal starting at $2-$4. I would hope you would be able to get your choice of housing, thats what I'm hoping when arriving almost a week after you. Bayside probably will be filled up from what I hear, but spots opening and closing seem to be always happening.
I like Gemini because of the competition of the two trains. Working in the backish part of the park you probably will be more likely to eat at Stockade. They have mostly grilled food with occassional special of chicken tenders (yumm), but the prices are the same. But even coming from the farm, we usually made the walk up to the caf.
http://vms.www.uwplatt.edu/~moyerc
PetFarm/PetChek 99/ATL 2000
*** This post was edited by AnimalsRule on 3/14/00. ***
Hi. Getting time off in the summer is almost always an option. The supervisors and managers are very lienient and, most times, will get you the time off. The food is decent and cheap at both the cafe and stockade. You can make it to the cafe on the longer breaks (45-1hr) if you want. I'm not sure on the housing. I usually live on-point so I don't have to worry about traffic. But the off-point housing is alot nicer
if you don't mind sharing a room with up to 4 other people in bayside, or up to 16 in commons. :)
Working on Gemini should be fun. It is usually closed during rain storms. The crew is also fun to work with from what I've heard. In fact most every crew is fun to work with. So you shouldn't have a problem with anyone. I hope to see you there.
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Monster Ride Host
2nd Year
mchs is right about time off, if the staffing allows it, you will get the time off you need. Another option, if you know you will need a week off at a time, put it on your contract or call Michael Renfrew, the manager who handles Gemini, and talk about it. Last year I found out my orientation dates very late and had to get 5 days off real quick. They were very good about it and got me the time off with no problem.
The Gemini crew is awesome!!!! You will definitely have a good time if you work on that crew.
From Gemini, I'd definitely go to Stockade on breaks, the caf takes almost 15 minutes to get to from there, allowing for guests stopping you to ask questions and you stopping to talk to every other employee there (or maybe that was just me!). I kinda like the atmosphere in Stockade better anyway. When I moved from the front of Zone 3 to the middle of Zone 4 last year I was very apprehensive about having to eat at Stockade because I didn't feel that I knew anybody. I was so surprised at the way people were there....it was mostly ride ops people and they were all like one big messed up, crazy, dysfunctional family. All in all, Stockade's food might suck, but the company is awesome, and that's what ya need to look at anyway. :o)
Natalie
ATL Zone 3 Sweeps 2000
*** This post was edited by Backstreet Girl on 3/14/00. ***
TIME OFF: It is great to hear so many people say they feel we are very leinant about time off. We try to be as leinant as possible, but I must stress the ONLY guaranteed time off are days that you request PRIOR to being conctracted and if the time off was agreed to at the time the job offer was made. If you know the dates you need, then please call your manager and request them now. We cannot guarantee time off if it is not in your employment agreement. Time off for school functions is usually easier to get if you can provide documentation.. be prepared and ask for it now. If we are busy, or short staffed at the time you want off it may not be possible. We do our very best.. but we also have to make sure our locations are staffed properly. In 1991... way back when I was a Rides Team Lead.. I was supposed to go to a wedding. Had the time off.. etc. My manager came to me the day before and said that they just couldn't spare me ( well..keep in mind I was a Team lead on a brand new coaster...). It wasn't in my contract.. so I had to accept the fact that I couldn't go. That's just an example. I am sure everyone has their stories about time off they did or didnt get.. but.. PLAY IT SAFE! Call and request it now.
THE GEMINI IS THE BEST RIDE YOU COULD EVER WORK!!!!! Although I am partial to the potties, I cannot forget my first love the Gemini...*sighs*
And I wish you guys would quit saying I'm weird...Megan!
Jason, you are about to work on one of the most exciting rides to work on. I worked Gemini las tsummer and had just as much, if not more fun there than I did on Power Tower the year before that. This year I unfortunately I won't be working with that ride/crew. This year I will be on Millennium Force. But Gemini, because it has such a large guest capacity, still the world's largest capacity I think, you cut cars and trains alot, on really slow days that would be normal days to other locations, you get cut backs - you get to leave work early if you want. You will have a blast working there, speils are really fun. Tell Kipp and Rob, your Team Leaders "hi" from Millennium Force. The guys returning from last years crew to this year on the ride are great people to work with. Send your contract back to CP ASAP!!! You will love it!