Ridiculous Changes

So when is going to be against policy to send the Gemini trains out at the same time for fear of guests giving high fives or grabbing on to someone in the other train? Everyone is saying these "v" things are to protect hosts from getting high fived or being "grabbed and dragged"... isn't there a bigger danger on Gemini where people try to touch hands on every ride? It seems like there is a bigger safety risk in people grabbing hands on Gemini then people getting run over by the train because of no air-gates.

I was at the park tonight and watched the operations at Magnum closely. I can't really add to Dave and Matt's excellent explanations of how things work and what is wrong now, but the new positions for the ride hosts actually make them look like they are hiding from snipers. No way can they see the train like they used to, and I feel kind of sorry for them having to squeeze back there and hug the post every dispatch.

Too bad this year, CP didn't have their Q & A session at Coastermania. These would have been great questions to ask.

I know we are not happy with the new rules and all, but what I appreciate (as a CP employee alumni) is the fact everyone on pointbuzz notices employee morale and is concerned.

This shows we really care about the park AND its workers.

Keep up the great work CP employees, we understand and know you are doing your best!

Yes, well, that's two years now without a CoasterMania Q&A.

Do you suppose it is because "they" don't want to answer the questions they know will come up--

"Why is Dragster closed so much?"
"Why are the Millennium Force seat belts all different lengths?"
"Why are you throwing out policies that have worked for decades?"
"What are you putting in next year?"

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Also prolly Spehn leaving is another reason, as he always seemed the primary speaker answering most of the questions.

You check out:

http://www.pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=16659

Tonight when I was at the park I noticed the auto-spiel is no more on Maggie!! Ride op was giving the spiel. Also I noticed they are now letting people put things on the opposite site of the platform when boarding. Was it like that a couple of days ago??

Looks like someone read this thread who is in charge ;-)
*** Edited 6/19/2005 4:48:57 AM UTC by Gatezz***

Woah, holy crap. Are you just joking? How about the ops on the platform? Were they still behind their protective pillars?

I hope he is not joking! A better bet is the auto spiel was down mechanical...

MrScott

I want to call BS on that as I was at the park Friday night and Magnum was still operating in their "standard procedure." However, stranger things have happened. You would think they would begin changes on a weekday to "fine-tune" things for the upcoming, busier weekend. Since that would be the logical thing to do I'm sure Cedar Point didn't go that route ;).

~Rob

Well, I know there was some spieling on Magnum yesterday, but I don't know if it was a permanent change or just because something was wrong with the autospiel. Were they spieling from controls or did someone out on the platform have a headset? If someone had a headset or even they were using the mic out on the platform, then it is probably a good sign and not just an indication of a broken autospiel! :)

The throwing stuff off to the side seems a little far fetched to me as I can't see that ever working well on a ride like Magnum.

I assure you they were doing the old fashioned Maggie spiel. They gave the stats of the ride etc.. "Clear and that means you are outta here!"

As far as putting stuff on the platform. They were letting people do it on Magnum and the Corkscrew which I know in the past this was not the case.

Corkscrew had a manual spiel too, but I am not 100% sure it had an autospiel. I think it did last year. And they were letting people drop stuffed animals and such on the platform here too.

Another side note they are now saying: "Cedar Point cannot be held responsible for items lost, damaged or STOLEN while riding the ride." I am assuming they put the stolen part in there because of them letting people put stuff on the platform.

I sware to the CP gods!! :-D
*** Edited 6/19/2005 3:57:20 PM UTC by Gatezz***

If this is true, then that's some of the best news I've heard regarding operations at Cedar Point in a long time. Let's hope this is only the beginning of changes in the right direction. :)

Gatezz said:
I noticed the auto-spiel is no more on Maggie!!

Woo Hoo!

They were spieling from controlls on thurs., didn't notice if anyone was dropping stuff off on the platform.

If the loose articles policy has been changed, are they using the boxes on Raptor and Mantits again?

I did see people using the boxes on Raptor.

Yes, the loose article policy has changed... again. I wouldn't be entirely surprised if it changed again.

After talking to some people...

Apparently the manual spieling is due to the loose article policy change since they have to mention the "Cedar Point cannot be held responsible for items lost, damaged or STOLEN while riding the ride" phrase.

So if they would revert back to the no loose article policy I suspect that the autospiels would be used once again. I foresee problems with the rides that can set up since their interval is "non-negotiable." We'll see if the crews can adapt to the situation. Heh, it's not like they've never had to before.

But at least for now they are allowing the crews to interact with the guests which is a very good thing.

As long as it doesn't slow down operations I think it sounds like a great move for guest services. They'll need more boxes and shelves around the park though and I'd hate for it to turn into a mine field of loose articles on the platform like some Six Flags parks. I've nearly broken my neck a few times just from exiting Roar.