Questions For Ride Hosts

Okay, so last year i worked at geauga lake in games because i wasn't old enough to work in rides, but now as i am filling out my geauga lake application i am trying to decide whether to work in games or rides next year. If i work in games, then I have a chance at becoming a TL or ATL, but as I look back at what it was like working in games last year, I mostly remember it being hot and humid the whole time, and having no shade what so ever, and mostly being bored and standing around most of the time, and getting sick of the game I was working, because besides a few times, i only worked one game which was fool the guesser. But then I also look back and remember all the fun that I had guessing peoples ages and weights, and then some of the people I worked with. So I have a few questions for people here who have worked in rides, especially if you have worked in rides at geauga lake. I know alot of people i who worked in rides, some hate and, and then some love it.

1) About how many hours do you work a week? Is rides fairly flexible with scheduling? If you need a certain dayoff , or part of a day off, do they usually let you have that day off, or not? What is your weekly schedule usually like?

2) During the summer I will have a few things where I will need time off, but do not know the dates right now, If I put what I need time off for on my application, and tell them the dates that I need off when I know them is that okay?

3) Are there usually water coolers at rides? My one complaint with games was there were no water coolers that they used, so you were expected to last 3-4 hours on one glass of water until your next break, because you couldn't leave for a few minutes to go get water. Are you allowed to bring your own water/gatorade bottle at your ride?

4) Are you usually stuck at one ride the whole summer, or do they move people around alot, also when they are hiring you do you get to pick which ride you want to work or tell them what ride(s) you would prefer to work at, or do they just stick you anywhere?

5) How hard is it to get promoted to ATL/TL in your first year there? Does it happen alot or not, is it hard to get promoted to ATL/TL after you have worked in rides for one year and come back the next year?

6) What is it like to work in rides? What is the most fun part, and what is the worst part of it? If for some reason i dont like rides is it hard to switch departments?

Im sure i might have more quesitons, but ill ask later. Thanks!

1) Beginning and end of year: 60 or more (70-80 common) hours
Middle of year: about 40-50 hours

Scheduling is done mostly by your TL/ATL and they will try to get you the day off/shift that you want. Just give plenty of notice ahead of time.

Each week you get 1 day off and usually a O-6 and 130-C before and after. Then you might (depending on your crew size) have some splits, 1130-C, O-8, or maybe even a 1130-8 or 130-8. It really depends on your crew size.

2) Tell the person who interviews you and then get the dates written into your contract as soon as you know them. If they are in June or July you will most likely get them off.

3) Yes. But its up to the crew to keep them filled. But most locations (not DT... :( ) have a hose.

4) If you dont like your location, tell your supervisor and they can move you around (for a week or forever). They are always looking for people to go somewhere else. One of my crew members last year started at Peanuts with me, then followed me to Disaster and then a month later spent a week at Skyride, loved it, and make the move permanent. So who knows how long it will take you to find a location you like.

5) It can happen (and did last year) but of all the hundreds of first years only one became a TL and only a few ATL. Mostly because they were experts at their locations who their former leadership trusted to give in charge time. Your first year, unless something happens to your TL/ATL and you were the 3rd, don't expect leadership. They are going to pick someone more experienced to move to a different ride.

6) I love it. The hours are long and the work can be boring, but if you have a good crew the time just flies. Its the people you work with, not the work, that makes it fun.

If you put Ride host as your 1st choice are you pretty much garunteed to get into that department? I ask this because no other department looks interestring to me, I just want to be put on one of the roller coasters. Has anyone had CP call their references and/or employers?

Rider said:
1) Beginning and end of year: 60 or more (70-80 common) hours
Middle of year: about 40-50 hours

40-50 hours?! When was this? And where was this? My lowest paycheck was 60, which included a day of being on call..

Well... I think Dragster is going to have more hours than Disaster.

I always had about 40-50 hours, and at Raptor in 05 it was about the same (would have been more this year with Joe Cool). So I think most of the rides (the non big like Dragster and Millennium) are about that for crew members.