Power Tower Operators(?)

So anyone here PT ops that are up in those booths that control the launch? What really goes on in there and how do you comunicate with the ground people (signals). I just thought it would be cool up in the thing to control the launch.

Its not really that cool up there. Most of the time we just do our job and point out losers, fat people, and hot chicks. Not much more. If it wasn't air conditioned we probably would probably avoid it. We have phones and we can see each other to communicate. Have you ever worked at CP?

Umm yeah. You can see through tinted windows! I believe they are probably tinted so if they have to look up at the towers, then the sun doesn't hurt their eyes.

Hehe I'm just kind of bored. No I havn't ever worked at CP but I hopefully will someday.

I've never worked at CP but I have question for PT ops. A couple weeks ago we were just sitting down on the ride(drop side) and we had to move to the other tower. Heard op on the speaker say something like "tower side-loaded, unload tower 1". What happenend? Wasn't a big deal just kinda spooky thinking hey something is wrong with that tower why not this one.

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Life-Long CP fan.

gecko said:
Heard op on the speaker say something like "tower side-loaded, unload tower 1". What happenend? Wasn't a big deal just kinda spooky thinking hey something is wrong with that tower why not this one.

Interesting tidbit: though part of the same structure, each of the four Power Tower legs operates as an independent ride system. When I worked there in '99 and 2K, the proper terminology for the situation you describe was cross-loading. It essentially means that a tower has gone down mechanical between ride cycles and the seated riders need to be "cross-loaded" to a neighboring tower.

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Rich Genthner / PTC99

Scary if you are getting off the ride and it shot up half unbuckled or right behind you!!!

The thing is, no one would send it up in that situation. If any of the harnesses are open, the cart cannot be sent, and, if the enable button on the platform isn't being depressed at the same time as the control buttons, the cart will not go anywhere. There are nice little safety systems like that all over the park, it's really a safe place. :)

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Millennium Force- 2001
ATL Power Tower- 2002

Hey Amanda, congrats on getting the PT ATL position!!

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Natalie
Mine Ride '99
Thunder Canyon '00
Millennium Force '01

CptTwinkie said:
Its not really that cool up there. Most of the time we just do our job and point out losers, fat people, and hot chicks. Not much more.

So you pretty much point out everyone then ?

-Craig

Hot chicks were the order of the day when I was on Power Tower. Of course, the crew was still predominantly dudes! ;)

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Rich Genthner / PTC99

CptTwinkie said:
Its not really that cool up there. Most of the time we just do our job and point out losers, fat people, and hot chicks. Not much more.

Wings51 said: So you pretty much point out everyone then ?

That would make all males either losers or fat, (or both) eh? Glad I'm a woman! LOL

I may be gold, but I refuse to be old.

Thanks Nat! :)

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Millennium Force- 2001
ATL Power Tower- 2002

Hey one more question. It seems like the last time I was at the park in like for the space shot, I looked over to the far turbo drop tower (closest to park entrance) and saw the car begin to rise to the top like normal. I looked away for a few seconds (the car had just left the ground), and then as I looked back it was dropping! The car came back to the ground and sat for a moment, and the people remained in the car. Then finally it rose to the top and ran normal. Did the car really drop suddenly a little ways up the tower, or was I just seeing things?? What safety reason would there be for doing this?
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Grüvïs Mält

What probably happened was a guest had a loose article such as a camera or large purse, so we 'downed' the cart(lowered the cart on purpose) and got the loose article off. Nothing to worry about. :)
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Millennium Force- 2001
ATL Power Tower- 2002

how many operaters does power tower need....i know at DP it's 2

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www.alexsplace.com
2 years working in rides at Dorney Park
01' Indy Cars, 02' Steel Force

I've never worked PT, but I know the crew has to be huge. Usually two people per tower on the ground, plus one person in controls for each of the four towers. That's 12 people right there. Then you've got to have a grouper for space shot, a grouper for turbo drop, and an entrance person. That's 15 working plus probably at least 3 or 4 more during the high point of the day to run breaks. I don't think I'm missing any positions, but they might have something like a garbo position. I'm sure someone who worked there could fill in anything I've missed.

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

It must be so fun to operate then being able to talk with 3 other people the entire time....I love operating Steel Force but after 2 hours I start falling asleep.

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www.alexsplace.com
2 years working in rides at Dorney Park
01' Indy Cars, 02' Steel Force

Matt...you nailed it perfect.

The ideal staffing at PT is 15 in the morning, 18 during the day (for 3 breaks at a time), and 15 in the evening after breaks. The positions are just as you described.

Wow, we must work at the same park. LOL...

Alan--PTC02/ScrewCrew02