Singling out large people?

I know there is a safety concern for riders, and that a larger person has to fit in the seat with the seatbelt fastened, and the lapbar clicked. But I have had this complaint for a while... I know people who have been singled out on rides and asked to not board because of the safety issue... they have been humiliated by some employees by rude comments. Even if the people I know have got on a ride that season, have not gained weight, they should be able to ride without any problems. I really feel large people are being singled out, and may not feel welcome at Cedar Point in the future. The thing that erks me most is that one of the WT ride crew people is rather large, bigger than some of the people I know that have been asked to get off rides, but yet she could ride without any problems... any favoritism towards employees there?!

If you can fit in WT's restraints then you are average. People that are tall can't fit, people with large thighs can't fit, and larger people can't fit.

When it comes to safety, the ops can turn away anyone that doesn't fit. Plain and Simple. The lady that rode Perilous Plunge fell out even though she fit in the restraint, but she was so overweight that the lapbar basicly gave no protection. This is the reason why there is a test seat out in front of the rides. That way they don't have to wait in the big lines and then be turned away.

Would you rather have restricted sizes on rides with great safety records, or no restrictions and many accidents?

Safety is no accident.

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June 28th: LocoBazooka Tour (Sevendust headlining)
July 11th: Korn, Puddle of Mudd, and Deadsy

Generally speaking, you gotta be pretty big not to fit.

I was about 275 with a 42" waist and a 48-50" chest and I fit on everything the Point had to offer. Never had a problem. Okay, I had to suck it in on the Monster when I rode with my kids but that was about it.

However, if this is your situation I have four words that may help.....The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. Only the Good Book itself has done more for me. Click on my name, look at the photo and say it again....Carbohydrate Addict's Diet. I haven't been anywhere near my old size in five years. It's great for airtime, too.

-'Playa

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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.

I see your point, and I agree with your concern for safety to ensure that accidents don't happen. I just feel that harrassment and humiliation has occurred. The rudeness of the employees is what bothers me the most.

No, I am thin and lanky... and rather tall. I fit on every ride without any problem. I just have friends that are about your size, CoastaPlaya.

The fact that you would say something about a "large WT crew employee" is rude and singling people out. Perhaps she reads these forums.

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Brent Haley
Gemini Crew '02

I don't care about my bluntness (or what you may think to be rude)... I merely stated my opinion, and if you are disappointed, or she has a problem with that, tough!

Could you elaborate more on this incident? If there was something more than anyone saying "sorry you can't ride" please explain.

Playa, is the Carb Addict's similar to the Atkins low carb variety? I lost about 80 large with that one in less than 6 months.

That is the only diet I have seen that truly works if you stick to the diet. My dad has lost quite a bit on the diet. It seems like a great diet, except for no bread!

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June 28th: LocoBazooka Tour (Sevendust headlining)
July 11th: Korn, Puddle of Mudd, and Deadsy

Ok, I'll explain one incident. A friend and I went to ride Corkscrew... the harness locked when my friend got in... one ride employee told him to slouch down so the harness could go down more. He slouched, but the harness did not click any further. The ride employee asked my friend to get out of the train, but he stated that the harness did lock. The ride manager was brought over to examine the harness, and the manager said that the harness was fine. The ride employee made a big scene, and tried making a case that ended up not being such a big deal in the end after the ride manager gave the okay... that is the type of rudeness I am speaking of.

Yes and no, no, no. Carb Addicts isn't simply predicated on the removal of carbs, but is a carb management system you can live on virtually forever.

You'd really have to read the book from cover to cover to fully understand it.

I'm about 36" in the waist, 42" chest and 220 now....and can still walk into Midway Market and bring the staff to their knees. Talk about perfect.

-'Playa
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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.
*** This post was edited by CoastaPlaya 9/25/2002 12:32:16 AM ***

Do you think the ride op was out to embarrass your friend or something? The employee was simply looking out for your friend's safety. While it may seem embarrassing, you have to deal with it, we don't set the rules for who can ride and who can't. It's embarrassing for the ride op to have to tell someone they're too big to ride. And Michael, can I quote you on this "..if you have a problem with that, tough!"

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Brent Haley
Gemini Crew '02

I haven't really heard anything so far that could be considered rude. The op at Corkscrew didn't feel comfortable letting the person ride. The manager said it was fine and thus the ride op has the burden lifted off his shoulders, the person rides, and it's all good. He was just doing his job by trying to ensure that the guest was properly secured. Not to sound insensitive, but it was a ride op failing to do this type of thing that led to a death on Perilous Plunge at Knott's.

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew

Sometimes it is harder on the Ride Ops having to determine if someone is going to be able to ride even before they get in line. I know that when I was at entrance of Mantis, I not only kept an eye out for smokers/alcohol/etc..., but I also tried to watch body proportions. Guests who are too tall (i.e. over 6'4", may not be able to ride Mantis because that is how high the seats accommodate). Not to say that a 6'5" person or a little bit taller hasn't ridden.

Also, with respect to weight/body proportions, some guests take personal offense at the entrance. Mantis is one ride that doesn't have a test seat, but badly needs one I'll admit. But when you politely ask a guest to step aside and then try and explain the "potential problem" to them, they get all upset and bothered and over 60% of the people just turn around and don't even want to try out a test seat. All you have to do is walk up the exit, tell the ride host you are going to try out a test seat, and VOILA! Just that easy. No embarrasment.

Embarrassing is one gentleman who had a larger chest and was not able to ride. After several failed attempts, he threw the harness up, stormed out, yelling, cussing and making a fool of himself. On his way towards the exit stairs, he grabbed the trash can and swung the lid at a group of special access guests and an employee. Why create that whole big scene? Needless to say, his wife was sent to retrieve him and security was also notified of the situation.

The majority of ride hosts are not out to embarrass you "just because". The best thing to do is just take it with a grain of salt, and move on with your day and everyone will have a happy day (hopefully) at CP.

Michael, you'll have to be a little more specific. Like when the operator made a "big scene" what did he do exactly? If he was calling your friend names, spoke in an intimidating tone, or something to that extent then I consider that being rude.

Keep in mind also that the operators aren't the ones who make the rules, they are just there to enforce it. Either the ride manufacture or management sets the rules. It's not necessarily their fault that someone can't ride.
*** This post was edited by Joe E. 9/25/2002 3:12:50 AM ***

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Millennium Michael said:
He slouched, but the harness did not click any further.

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Interesting that this happened on Corkscrew. I've been riding Corkscrew for many years and I've been 6'4" since high school. But this year, for the first time, I also was told 'need one more click'. I was able to slouch and get one more click, so no problem for me. Did the rules for the ride change this year?

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

*** This post was edited by Gemini 9/25/2002 6:17:15 AM ***

After the incident already mentioned in this thread management is VERY strict on how we deal with larger people. On mantis this year we had to get them in and NOT shove the harness down. It also had to click atleast two times, one doesn't count anymore.

The same thing that happened to Gemini happened to me last year on Corkscrew. Luckily in was in the front seat with it's ample leg room and was able to slouch down. They want the bar to be at a certain point in relation the fence on the out side of the train; sort of a easy "go-no go" mark on the restraint. Funny thing is I bet that ride ran for 20+ years with no such policy, and I personally haven't seen them enforce such things this year.

Just a reminder here while we're talking about restraints. Remember that it's now Halloweekends where ride staffing is made up of quite a few Ride Prides. Be prepared for somewhat inconsistant policy.

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Scott W. Short, Rail Junkie
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

My husband was not able to ride WT (he's a touch over 6'4" and 260lbs). The ride op tried to accomodate him, and even let me try to push down on the restraint as well, but due to his chest size it was a no go. The ride op was very sympathetic and apologized.

He can fit into everything else at CP, although at SFGAm he could not ride V2 or Deja Vu, and was literally squished into Batman and Giant Drop, so I don't think it's just CP trying to "single out" large people.

I'd be interested in this carb diet. The hubby is going to try to drop some weight over the winter to see if he can fit into WT next year.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

I fail to see the problem with what had happened. Something didn't set right with the ride-op. He did what a good employee shoud do and check with a supervisor. Ride-ops are dealing with people's lives so they want to be careful. I would try to be nice about telling someone they can't ride but if someone gets offended, oh well. I would rather live with hurt feelings on my mind rather than someone's death.