Questions from a newbie in hotel reservations

Hey everyone,

I just got hired in as a reservation clerk at the hotels and will be arriving in early May. I've worked in customer service as a fast-food manager for years, but never at a hotel. Linda Milefchik (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) warned me about the long hours, but I don't think that will be a problem. Can anyone give me a heads up as to what to expect? What to (and what not to) bring, where the nearest shopping area is, life in Sandusky, random facts, etc. I can't wait to meet you all, not to mention it'll be nice to be back in Eastern Time (no one at my school in Missouri has ever heard of Cedar Point)

Regards,

Brandon

well I think you just asked the question every newbie faces:

WTF DID I JUST AGREE TO!?!

heh... I remember that feeling.

ANYWAYS - if you can handle fast food, you can handle cedar point. (ESPECIALLY if it's McDonald's... I'll never work there again.)

The long hours can be tiring but most of the time you're having SOME kind of fun, though I can't speak from experience about your hotel job. I think my record work week last year was 74 hours(?) and I survived, actually that was my best week there. I'm sure some ride op will beat me with that statistic though...

I think the nearest shopping area is the place with a walmart. I didn't have a car so I don't know how to get there, and I think a bus goes there through-out the day from CP for employees, but I never had to worry about that - I had enough friends who always wanted to take a field trip out there that it wasn't hard to find a ride... There's also a fairly nice mall. I mean I liked it...

I would bring anything you'd take to college, cuz essentially it's the same environment. I'm not going to sit here and make a list for you. I would be careful bringing expensive belongings. I had my computer last year and I was pretty paranoid... but my roomate and I were both door locking nazis, so it was safe. Just be careful...

Any other questions just hit me up on AIM I'll be glad to talk to ya!

Well, needless to say you will be spending your entire shift on a phone. The good news is that people are generally pretty positive when they are on the phone making reservations.

Linda M. is a good manager. Respect her and she will respect you. There is some pressure to take the calls and not let people wait forever on hold but that is the job and if you are prepared for it you shouldn't have a problem.

You should get some information that will tell you what to bring and what not to bring.

Ahhh, good ole reservations.

First off, Linda is one of my favorite silver tags; very nice. Like Wahoo said, respect her and she will respect you.

I worked as a Front Office Manager at Camper Village last summer and before the season was underway, I helped out in Reservations. Not to scare you, but I hated it. I'm not much of a "phone" person. It's very boring, sitting there, being tied to a phone all day. It can get hectic as you watch the board and the queue line rack up (you'll understand what I'm talking about once you get there).

All in all, it's not that bad. I'd rather work inside, in the air conditioning as opposed to outside. You'll be envied by the front desk staff, as it is hotter than hell in the lobby. I worked at Breakers two summers ago, and we had a digital thermometer behind the desk; 88.9 degrees!! You, however, will get to sit on your ass in an air conditioned area. You will consider yourself fortunate.

Enjoy!

~Kristy

Hey, I'll also be working in reservations. I spoke with Linda earlier this week and was hired. I'll be arriving in the middle of May. She warned me about the long hours too but I'm sure it will be fine. Also reservation clerks have the opportunity later on to interview for a position in the reservation booth in the front of the park, so if you want a more hands on job working with guests thats your best bet.

And I have virtually no idea what to expect too. I know nobody going into this and am a bit apprehensive as to the whole thing. I am stressing about where to live too. As a hotel employee you're allowed to live in the hotel as well.

Good luck figuring it out and I'm sure I'll see you there.

Brandon,

I've worked res. clerk the past two years. It's not as bad as some make it sound. Yes the hours are long and sitting on the phone all day can become boring. But Linda is a very great woman. Someone said before that if you repect her, she'll respect you. Totally right on the head.

The office enviroment depends on whos been hired that season. My first season sucked because everyone was very negative. Second season rocked because the crew was great.

As far as making the reservations go, Its rough at first. There is a lot to learn, and the pressure to do well is always there. Just remeber to be nice to the customer no matter what!

I'm considering going back for a third season, so if I do, i'll make sure to say hi!

BTW the air conditioning is the best part! Yay!