The Rude Crew Award goes to... Ripcord!

Aren't you awfully full of yourself, I offered up a suggestion. Get off my back. You think you know so much about a person who posts on a forum. You don't know who I am, you don't know anything about me. Make your assumptions, I could careless.

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Mantis 2002
Broken Down Blue Ride 2001

And once again we see the Theory of Nobody at work. Why did I ever call it a theory?

Please take any issues you have with me out to e-mail. My address is one click away with my info. Don't bore the board with it.

You're all welcome and sorry for the interruption. And now, on with the show...

-'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 11:53:56 AM ***

Do you know how fun it is to smile while some a**hole guest calls me a "racist motherf*****" and that they're going to get me and everyone on my crew fired, because we hate (insert skin color here) people, and trust me...its not one select group, I may understand the plight of the Ripcord crew a little, being it my third year, but its so much fun to see how pissed off the guests get when you smile and give em that "have a nice day" when they're mad...As a team leader, I've had to deal with my fair share of guest problems...was Ripcord a little cold to someone, probably, we all have been, I did more than once when i had to hike down to entrance to deal with a height problem. But don't make them the worst crew in the park over it, we all have good and bad days...I'm sorry to hear someone spouting off about how they "own" us and pay to much, honestly, I think you guests do pay too much and we get paid too little. I just don't appreciate it when people start knockign crews or whatever, most of you well know that 99.9 percent of the time, we're running around, having a good time, exctied that you're there...now tell me, in your own jobs, can you be happy and chipper, 100 percent of the time?? The job is frustrating, but fun at the same time, please save your comments like owning us becuase that just leads to bad relations between guests and employees.
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"Captain" Nate
Paddlewheel crew 2000
Paddlewheel ATL 2001
Thunder Canyon TL 2002

Nate's very,very close to the right idea but bristles at some of the notions presented.

First of all, please re-read the posts carefully. I never said "Me big customer, you little worm." And I wouldn't because I live 20 minutes from a CF sister park (VF). While many of the employees are my neighbors, they're also my friends. In fact, the '01 WWC crew and I went from friends to peeps. I have photos from vantage points the GP would never have, thanks to them. I have a bootleg souvenir (two banners) hanging in my office that employees usually only share with each other--and really weren't even supposed to that year.

But none of that changes what I said from being the plain, unvarnished truth. It's as simple a truth as the sun rising in the east blah blah blah. It just is.

It's more than a simple truth; it's a critical one to keep in mind your entire life. You see, if you were selling someone a $30,000 car, a $300,000 home or persuading venture capitalists to invest $3,000,000 in your startling new invention, guess what? They own you, too. You'll also find the results of your efforts have little to do with fair or right for you or even what's most intelligent for them--it's what makes that particular owner of you at that time feel best.

The most successful people out there aren't the smartest or most talented, but the best at playing the game. Play it early, play it often, learn to play it well.

-'Playa

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

Jeff,

I've been around the 'Net for many, many years and have never heard about "Godwin's Law."

This is the singular funniest post/concept I have ever read on any site or board, and someone brought it up!! ROFLMAO!!

Thanks for the laugh!

Point well take, no offense playa, just took it the wrong way..I'd say we probably met up once or twice, but no one ever rode the paddlewheel :) and TC was pretty slow this year

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"Captain" Nate
Paddlewheel crew 2000
Paddlewheel ATL 2001
Thunder Canyon TL 2002

None taken...I kinda felt I had to address the 'condeceding (sic)' complaints anyway.

And you're right--I didn't ride either one during CoasterMania. VF has been sort of a 'me-too' CF park so we have a Corkscrew, a PT, a TC among other things...and I tend to ignore the rides I can do 20 minutes from home after a 700-mile drive to the Point.

CBaby and Da Midget are huge Paddlewheel fans. Too baby CBaby opted out of the trip...

-'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 2:54:48 PM ***

Well... okay, I lied. That wasn't my last post. This one might be.

I just would like to make it clear to the crew that I know is reading this that I am not attacking you as individuals. I'm merely complaining about what I percieved as lower than expected guest service, the perception of which was based upon my many previous experiences at the park. I know you guys work very hard and I appreciate that. However, when you have a bad day it is not acceptable to take it out on your guests.

I understand that you guys need to speil certain things for safety and capacity reasons and that is perfectly okay. But the way these things were said I did not feel very much like a guest at your attraction.

The term "guest" and not "customer" is used for a reason. When you call somebody your guest you are inviting them to your home, place of business, etc. and there is a mutual agreement there to treat one another with respect and courtsey. A customer is more of a person that you merely do business with. You give them a product or service and take their money and that's that.

I understand that you as a crew may feel as though you are being attacked. It was not my intent to attack you. It was my intent, however, to let other folks know about my experience. We may be a huge group full of Cedar Point enthusiasts, but when there is something wrong at our park we're the first ones to say so.

So, if you want to go on being upset about this thread, go right ahead; it's not bothering me at all. But if you want to move on, just accept the criticisims that were given and work to improve on them so that the next guest will have a better flight than I did.

If anybody on the crew would like to get in touch with me personally, my e-mail address and AIM screenname are in my profile.

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- John
Toasted flying banana's are fun.

Ok now I have to put my two cents in. Just remember that I am a saint and don't hate me when I'm done because it's wrong to hate saints :) I'm not condoning or condemning anything. I don't agree with rudeness from guests or employees. It's wrong and it ruins my day as well as the guest or guests involved I'm sure. But there are a lot of guests (usually the ones that aren't coaster fans) that think we are super heroes and not humans. And when we have to work on a hotter than hell day in the middle of July while we'd really like to be watching tv or chillin at Soak City, it's very hard not to be rude. Some can manage it and others can't. None of the employees are trying to condone the actions of the Ripcord crew or any rude employee, but just to understand that we are human and that, even though we try not to be rude, it does happen and that it's not anything that is directed at the guests and yes it's wrong. And 9 times out of 10 the employees do get raked over the coals for a guest complaint unless the guest complaint is about a saftey guideline that we have no choice but to follow. I do hope that if you do ride Ripcord again that you do have a better experience. And if not then come ride the train :)
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Annie

CP & LE RR Crew '01
Swings and Swans/CP & LE RR '02

I think it's very hard to understand what it is like to work there until you have done it. I am a considerate person who always tries to create a great experience for my guests. However, I don't believe we get paid enough to put up with most of the crap that we do. I had never been called so many obscene words before working at CP. I tried not to let that affect my job though, and never took it out on the next guest. One thing that always perplexes me is when I am sitting at the turnstiles and people walk by and tell me to smile. Here's the thing: I am not in a bad mood and I am not bored to be sitting there. After getting leadership, sitting at turnstiles was a privilege. I am usually in a friendly mood and will carry on a conversation with you if initiated. But have you ever tried to smile for half an hour straight? Just sit there and smile? It's really difficult to sit like that for even ten minutes :) The only comments that I don't know how to respond to are silly jokes that either don't make sense or ones that we've heard every day for the last three years :) Otherwise I am generally in a good mood and will gladly talk to you.

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2000 - Mean Streak/Magnum
2001 - Mean Streak ATL
2002 - Magnum TL

The customer issue varies guys, it depends on the sit. The first time unless really really stupid yes we will yell at them kick them off etc. Just depends on if it effects the operations of the park or property and or guests wellfare. Remember you have guests and you have customers. Cedar Point is a private club where you pay your membership dues for entry where like any other club you are expected to read and know the rules.

The things we see and deal with daily, oh boy!!....

Some rides are alot higher stress then many would think and that's not an excuse but just a reminder, so always be understanding of both sides and have a fun safe day...

Cheers!
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Mantis / Raptor 2002
Stand up straight & hold on tight with your feet flat and heels against the back if you find yourself sitting stand up now as Cedar Point does not provide ice packs at the end of the ride!!

thats why im so glad i worked with food,...it does not talk back...and if the customer is not happy with it...you can always get them another one and say "here you go" and most of the time they were happy...i was never rude no matter how bad i felt (which was EVEREY morning)...if some one was a jerk i would just smile, go defecate, return to work and hopefully handle the a-holes food with my filthy hands!!! revenge does not have to be obvious or overt...just smile and say have a pleasant day and think to yourself (you peter puffer!)...i just touched my ding-a-ling and your obnoxious 12 yr old son is eating the nice pizza and sub that i made for him...dont worry there is a cure for hepatitus..lol.. i NEVER salivated into food as this was WAY to obvious...thats why i never ever go back to a resturaunt that i have complained at...
*** This post was edited by kjetski 11/13/2002 5:24:20 PM ***

Ahh so you must be Lonnie who worked at the Stockade. I followed that boy from the bathroom back to the Stockade and witnessed him not wash his hands, on more than one occasion. I eventually told his supervisor and she laid the smack down. You guys are the reason food employees have such a bad rep, and your post is absolutely disgusting. Do us all a favor and don't go back next season.

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Brent Haley
Gemini Crew '02

Lonnie, I have to say I am purely disgusted with you at this point. My god, how can you live with yourself?
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Webmaster: Po!Nt MaNiA!
http://www.thepointol.com/~pointmania

Sorry it aint Lonnie or whoever..I worked the park 22 yrs ago...and yes it was disgusting...absolutely...makes me cringe...

Oh dont be suprised, that happens at just about, if not, EVERY food establishment across the country. I worked fast-food and there is no job that people tend to treat worse. Why people act up with their food in other peoples hands I dont know. I'm like kjet, if service is so bad I have to complain, then I aint eatin there!

I have heard hints at the age old debate of who works harder...food or ride ops....Well food is hot, dirty ect....and yes you can get the occasional moron that did not like finding a muffle-head in his pizza.."That will be a dollar extra mam.."...Yes I glady worked food ops for one reason...If i messed up a sub or a pizza NO ONE DIED......Ride operators are responsible for lives....Heck the only thing that died in food service were the mice, roaches, muffleheads and flies that I killed.....Think about it the next time that crazy debate comes up...I dont eat at Pizza Hut here in Ft Wayne because i dont want adulterated food...I complained a couple of times...

I really don't care who pissed you off at your job or what you think is an acceptable way to treat a customer. You are a pathetic excuese for a human being if you really think your actions are justified.

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- John
*I resign from the game of life if I have to play with stupidity.
*We're getting screwed in the rear two coasters in a row.

As a park guest many times last year I really did not notice alot of shortness or rude behavior on the part of anyone...Most of the time I would have blown a quarter so I really would not have known the difference...In fact I just kept my trap shut and did what ever the ride op told me to do (which was not a whole lot) so I would not make an idiot of myself....I figure they have enough to deal with....I just could not imagine; one mistake and you kill someone....Ride Ops have alot of responsibility and stress so CUT 'EM A BREAK!!

CoastaPlaya seems fond of boasting about his possesions/toys/$.......perhaps compensating?..just a thought.....