Raptor ride op Jo-day 1-Oct 5th
I awake in my dorm room realizing I begin my career today as a Raptor ride op once more. Met Jeff (UCICESEVPIH)
early and off to CP in the famous blue employee bus we went (and no, the transmission is still NOT fixed) Of course Jeff is all excited, I don't even know how many times I said aloud or thought "I do NOT believe I am doing this again!" We hit up the free pancakes then walked around park. I had told Jeff that was one of my fav things about working at CP, being able to walk around the park with NO guests. He and I checked out Area 51 (the McDonalds ride-yellow, red and white) and then reported to Raptor for our training. Pretty funny for me since 99% of the crew already knew who I was! :) We had to do the famous Raptor lift walks which I loved. Despite the 228 stairs on the main lift hill and the spiral stairs from Hell on the block brake we all survived. All other training was just a refresher course for me, except transfer-that was new. Test ride for me, seat 1-4, ONLY one on entire train I LOVE that! :) Before we knew it here came the guests. It is amazing how even though I didnt work last season how it seemed like I never left. The SAME questions are asked over and over again. My least fav position is still crowd control-blech!! The couple of things I really like is not being able to force a seat to lock due to a larger guest and also forcing the guest to put their own stuff in the bins. When it was my turn to do spiels I was nervious but got more comfy, after my visual test it took me 2 trains to remember controls. For obvious reasons controls is one of my fav positons and I am one of the few who doesnt mind entrance either. I had my 1st "Freeway" experience, no problem there either. The only real bad experience was an overweight guest (I would say she was at least 180-200 lbs and 5'5 or so) she didnt fit in the seat, wasnt even CLOSE so I had seat popped and told her she couldnt ride. She said "don't you think you need to make more "reality sized" seats?? REALITY SIZED? There will be several overweight/larger guests who will get mad at ME or CP because THEY don't fit in the seats. One of the usual annoying things about working at CP, but nothing I can't handle! I had also forewarned Jeff of this fact! On the flip side, it didn't cease to amaze me how many people knew me or who I was. There was one kid waiting on front car ask if I was on the Discovery Channel and when I said yes he touched my shoulder and said "you rock!" I had TONS of people ask me if I was Raptor Jo, and of course I would smile and say yup. Knowing how shy I am about that I am sure you all know how much THAT bothered me! ;)
I also got to see Jeff Putz, who I noticed waited on last car!!! After park finally closed, queue lines cleaned I think we were back in our rooms by 1:30am. That equated to a 17.5 hour long day for Jeff and I. We met up with Flora who as a sweep had the SAME long day. When Flora and I got back to room we both got horizontal and were GONE! The last thing I remember thinking was "wth did I do this again for???"
Officially Raptor Jo was now Raptor ride op Jo again.
Would she beable to MOVE the next day to go back and do it again??????
early and off to CP in the famous blue employee bus we went (and no, the transmission is still NOT fixed) Of course Jeff is all excited, I don't even know how many times I said aloud or thought "I do NOT believe I am doing this again!" We hit up the free pancakes then walked around park. I had told Jeff that was one of my fav things about working at CP, being able to walk around the park with NO guests. He and I checked out Area 51 (the McDonalds ride-yellow, red and white) and then reported to Raptor for our training. Pretty funny for me since 99% of the crew already knew who I was! :) We had to do the famous Raptor lift walks which I loved. Despite the 228 stairs on the main lift hill and the spiral stairs from Hell on the block brake we all survived. All other training was just a refresher course for me, except transfer-that was new. Test ride for me, seat 1-4, ONLY one on entire train I LOVE that! :) Before we knew it here came the guests. It is amazing how even though I didnt work last season how it seemed like I never left. The SAME questions are asked over and over again. My least fav position is still crowd control-blech!! The couple of things I really like is not being able to force a seat to lock due to a larger guest and also forcing the guest to put their own stuff in the bins. When it was my turn to do spiels I was nervious but got more comfy, after my visual test it took me 2 trains to remember controls. For obvious reasons controls is one of my fav positons and I am one of the few who doesnt mind entrance either. I had my 1st "Freeway" experience, no problem there either. The only real bad experience was an overweight guest (I would say she was at least 180-200 lbs and 5'5 or so) she didnt fit in the seat, wasnt even CLOSE so I had seat popped and told her she couldnt ride. She said "don't you think you need to make more "reality sized" seats?? REALITY SIZED? There will be several overweight/larger guests who will get mad at ME or CP because THEY don't fit in the seats. One of the usual annoying things about working at CP, but nothing I can't handle! I had also forewarned Jeff of this fact! On the flip side, it didn't cease to amaze me how many people knew me or who I was. There was one kid waiting on front car ask if I was on the Discovery Channel and when I said yes he touched my shoulder and said "you rock!" I had TONS of people ask me if I was Raptor Jo, and of course I would smile and say yup. Knowing how shy I am about that I am sure you all know how much THAT bothered me! ;)
I also got to see Jeff Putz, who I noticed waited on last car!!! After park finally closed, queue lines cleaned I think we were back in our rooms by 1:30am. That equated to a 17.5 hour long day for Jeff and I. We met up with Flora who as a sweep had the SAME long day. When Flora and I got back to room we both got horizontal and were GONE! The last thing I remember thinking was "wth did I do this again for???"
Officially Raptor Jo was now Raptor ride op Jo again.
Would she beable to MOVE the next day to go back and do it again??????
Jo
2000/2002 Raptor Crew
------------------
It's all about getting around the barrels, or over the fences, right leads, no faults, fastest time and looking pretty when done. What's so hard about that? :)
Jo,
It was great to see you last Sun Oct 6. I was SO enthused to meet someone who has had more Raptor flights that I had ever dreamed of. You were awesome, and it was a pleasure to see both you and Jeff.
One question remains... how much work is involved in volunteering for a few days at CP?
Thanks in advance
Chasity
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