Stapling Out of Hand?

After my visit to the park this past Tuesday, I came to realize that the stapling on TTD is entirely out of control. Before you remind me that it is standard procedure, I'd like to add that I realize on a ride like this they have to take the proper precautions. However, there is a difference between firmly securing the restraints and securing the restraints the Dragster way.

The ride ops seem even more vicious than they did earlier in the season as far as the stapling goes. Before they would push a little to make sure it's secure, give the seat belt a tug. Now they are slamming into the lapbars, forcefully pushing down as hard as they can, then giving a hard two handed yank on the belt. I'm not just being a whiney enthusiast, almost every person I saw board the train during my wait for front seat was wincing in pain when they were stapled (men and women), then usually complaining of the pain with their riding partner.

When there was a rollback followed by a break down, the poor people who were already stapled in had to sit there until their complaints of cut off circulation finally lead the operators to release the lapbars. I can usually avoid discomfort by slouching a little during the loading procedure (not trying to get air, just avoiding pain) but the average person doesn't know what's about to hit them.

My point is this, and I'd like to see who agrees with me. The stapling is far too extreme on TTD. I agree with the policy, you need to be in more snugly for Dragster than your average coaster, but they need not staple so hard as to cause pain. What do you think?

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-Chris Woodard
"We got pop and Gatorade over here for $100 a bottle, so have your credit card ready. Seriously, the food here is so expensive, I just eat the condiments because I can't afford a meal." - MF que DJ 6/16/03

i totally agree... my two rides today were great but i was stapled to the point that i'm not sure im gonna have kids anymore....

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TTD=10(frontseat=3)

serves you right, MeanStreaker...
ya got another 2 rides today, punk? and ya couldnt go yesterday? and another front seat ride? i hope you got stapled really hard... ;)

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"I'm sorry, Timmy, but you need 15 tickets to live..."
Onward to Kennywood!
TTD: 5

yes rouge i did get another two rides in , but they were full of charlie horses afterwards, and about yesturday...i just got back from vacation...sorry

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TTD=10(frontseat=3)double digits baby!!!
rollbacks seen=2...1 almost stuck at top

they now stapple you with enjoyment...today the ride ops were getting plenty of jollies from stapling the riders in...it only hurts for the first 30 seconds that you are waiting to get launched, with which im very happy with, after you get launched its the last thing on your mind, but then the first thing when you get off

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TTD=10(frontseat=3)double digits baby!!!
rollbacks seen=2...1 almost stuck at top

I agree with you Ralph; however, it's funny, because if CP didn't do everything possible to make the ride safe, then you guys would have something else to complain about. My feeling is they are just doing their job to make TTD as safe as possible. You should expect it. Besides, I've had two rides myself and didn't think ithe "stapling" wasn't that bad. I guess it's a matter of opinion.
*** This post was edited by Jeff Kaiser 7/17/2003 8:00:29 AM ***

If it's that bad...go to one of the many places in the park where they take comments and complain about it.

I don't know if this made it into the final version of either the New Jersey law or the ASTM standard, but this was included in both when they were drafted:

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Powered restraints may not apply more than 18 lb. force to the rider while opening or closing. If force limiting systems are used to achieve this they must be configured so that a single component failure will not cause the application of more than 18 lb to the rider.

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If it's a requirement of powered systems, shouldn't the same standard apply to attendant-operated systems?

I didn't have any trouble on Dragster (but then it's been a month since I rode it), but I got bruised on Millennium Force once and that was Very Not Fun.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I've only experienced the aggression on MF, and only at the start of the season. It's a lot worse on that ride because of the straight lapbar posts that touch your testicles before the bar touches your lap.

Clearly leaning into the bar with all of your weight is more than 18 pounds of pressure, and probably not the best thing for your organs either.

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Jeff - Webmaster - GTTP - Luau II Cam 7/19
DELETED! What time does the water show start?

Do you think the park is going to say, "Hey guys, don't push the restraints too hard." They are trained to secure the rider and some ride ops have a different definition then others.

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2002/2003
KPTM

I think the saftey factor is up and the happyness factor is down. but i'd rather be safe than sorry!

The park only tells the operators to make sure that the riders are securely fastened into their seats...after that its up to the crew to decide just how much stapling to do...and in this case, its too much...

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"What time does the 10 pm laser show start?"

*** This post was edited by neo 7/17/2003 1:20:16 PM ***

It really wasn't that bad at all...at least I don't think it is

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Races for the sky - 2 Front Seat - 1

It was very, VERY tight when I rode it last month. It didn't too much hurt or anything before the staple or after getting off the ride. Besides, why worry about it? There's a 120 mph launch and a 420 foot crest awaiting you.

I went opening day and I got the whole "put your whole weight on the bar" staple, as well as the two handed tug on the seat belt, and honestly, it didn't hurt. It was unfomterble, and maybe the lap bar hurt a little, but it wasn't THAT bad. I mean she put ALL her weight on the bar. Oh well, it dosn't bother me.

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OMG! The Space Spiral is leaning!!" Must be the weight of that new air conditioning system everyone keeps hypothesizing about...

Yeah ive been on Dragster twice, on openind day and hten one more time in June, and it wasnt that bad. The ride op was very nice about it, saying, "this is going to be tight" and then asked if i "was ready for it" so it doesnt bother me that much.

My apologies to those who actually want to be stapled, but there is absolutely no safety issue here. None. At all. Period. If the restraints are locked and making even just minimal contact with your lap there is no possible way you are going to fall out of the ride. It is a physical impossibility. I don't see why this is so hard to understand. All the ride ops need to do is verify that the restraint is locked and making proper contact. Anything beyond that is just abuse caused by ignorance. I am quite sure CP management is aware of this. So why does the stapling continue? Simply because it's a new ride is no excuse. I think they are trying to convey an image of maximum safety But as I've already stated, there is no way to make the ride any safer by applying excessive force to the restraint.

When I rode Dragster, I was stapled to the extreme as well, and it caused great pain throughout the ride. It seriously felt like my hip was going to pop out of its socket. I've been a little bit worried to ride Dragster again after this incident.

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Egg nog... how'd they think that up?
"I want to get a little drunk... but I also want some pankcakes."

Well define your version of stapling?

If the ride op is actually pressing the bar into the rider,
First tell them it is to tight. "the restraint has to actually be against you tho, sorry none of those 6 inches from your lap"

First ask tell them it is to tight, if they ignore you or refuse to atleast check it to make sure you are only secure, get their name and ask to speak with the rides TL, ATL first, and if they are rude about the sit. ask for an area sup, and or report the issue with park op's.

They are not allowed to press your restraints into a guest, and that can cause internal injuries, and the ride op's know that, but keep in mind there is a difference in secure, and stapled.

Cheers!
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Mantis / Raptor Crew 2002

They we're stapling on Tuesday. The op that "secured" me put his weight on the bar and tugged the seat belt. If they are not allowed to press the restraints into guests then they missed the memo or were late for the meeting. I'm glad my wait was short, child swap, because most of the people had to wait 3 hours and really had to use the bathroom. I understand secure and safe but I think what they did was excessive.

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donotstandup said:
If the restraints are locked and making even just minimal contact with your lap there is no possible way you are going to fall out of the ride. It is a physical impossibility. I don't see why this is so hard to understand. All the ride ops need to do is verify that the restraint is locked and making proper contact. Anything beyond that is just abuse caused by ignorance. .

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I don't know if you are aware of the fact that people have fallen out of Intamin vehicles with the same type of restraints as on Dragster. These were people of bigger proportions, but still, it IS possible. I'm sure the ride ops are stapling people BECAUSE management wants them to. From the strong air time on top, I don't think it is wrong to staple people. Also, from what I have heard, the same restraint stapling happens on Xcellerator at Knott's.

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I'd rather be in my boat with a drink on the rocks,
than in the drink with a boat on the rocks.