Now this my sound stupid but who works at sfgam here?
I want to do my application for next year and want to get a straight answer. Is it good working there or not. A couple there say it's great. Some of my friends quit there jobs. Which is it. I want to work in the ride running field(as does anybody), but mainly V2 to scare people on the launch, Iron Wolf, Batman, and Raging Bull.
Don't ask. You won't find out. Your best bet is to search past topics, sorry...
http://themeparkcritic.com/scripts/profile/ViewProfile.asp?ViewID=2909 A furious storm once roared `cross the sea, catching ships in its path, helpless to flee. Instead of a certain and watery doom, the winds swept them here to Typhoon Lagoon!
Is it good working there or not? Well, just take a look around. Do the seasonals look like they're having an awesome time running the rides or doing whatever else they're doing? I guess if you really hate rides then running a ride isn't the job for you. Just think about it...if it's something that you know you'll have fun doing, what's holding you back? The opinions of your friends that hate roller coasters?
Ups: The shade all day is nice and very minimal cleanup; mostly stocking prizes.
Down sides: people aruging about how tough the games are, people stealing prizes when you're back is turned.
Overall I loved the experience and would definetly do it again, even though I would only make a third of what I make now. It would be nice to take a 3-4 month break from work for the summer. Plus you can make some good friends there *wink shockwavegirl**
As a former employee, I don't mind sharing a little information with you.
First, regarding the rides department: there is no garauntee as to where you will work! Just because you want to a work at a coaster does not mean you will get to. More importantly, you work in rides at your unit. For example, you may work at a Unit that has two flat rides in it. You may work a unit that is just a rollercoaster or a unit that has a coaster and a flat ride. They vary and can change. Most of the time, you will be certified for very general rides and the rides that are in your unit. Unless you become management, don't expect to get certified outside of your unit/park section.
Second, regarding working there. There are some great perks to working at the park! Free admission, parking, tickets (based on hours/seasons you have worked), picnics, game nights, ride nights, the list goes on and on. But, also be aware of what they limit you on. For example, once you start working there, do not expect to post information on websites. You need to keep your mouth shut a lot of the time outside of the park! I saw many of my friends fired or documents because they decided that it would be fun to release to the public information (even if they thought it wouldn't hurt).
Also, know that it is a business and they want to do well. If things go wrong and you are at fault, accept responsibility. As a former manager, there was nothing more frustrating than talking to an employee who did something wrong and would not admit it because of the consequences involved. In addition to that, strive to do your best and do the best for the guests! It's said so many times: you have a job because they are there. There will be times that you want to lose your cool and you just simply have to suck it up and press on. The most difficult part in rides are dealing with parents and underheight-children, line jumpers, and people who are just tired and frustrated of heat and long lines. Running the rides is easy to do, as long as you a properly trained and you do not neglect rider and employee safety.
That is a big thing with rides: safety. Are you able to accept the safety of all the riders on the ride? While it may not be your fault, you could easily dispatch a ride with a rider still in the ride area and freeze when you realize it. Would you react quickly to know what the procedure is?
Many people cannot wait to work at the park and some find that their expectations are not met. When I worked there for so many years, they were! I enjoyed it! But, I grew up and moved on to the real world. Not saying that you cannot make a life out of Six Flags (many full-time managers are there because that is the job they enjoyed the most, which is a definate plus for you: having bosses who enjoy what they do!).
I definately say try it out! I am sure you will enjoy it, and if not, you at least got the experience. Plus, there are many opportunities for advancement within the park. There is no telling when you will use it in your life! I got hired for one of my jobs during college because I had the experience in the park to be a lead and supervisor. (Not in the same department, but you get the idea).
Try it out and talk to the employees at the park. As far as I know, they can still tell you how they enjoy working there. Granted, they may be biased (because they are there for a reason). But, just remember, usually the ups will outweigh the downs.
It all depends on where you work and who you work with. There are some employees that just dont care and dont even think about the rules and disrespect co-workers and park guests. Sometimes even the supervisors which they do it too. Also, it depends in the area you work in then it will be very easy to get promoted. Sometimes it takes to kiss someones ass or sometimes it just shows how good of a worker you are. If I knew how to swim I would work at HH then the park because you get tanned, new attractions are always the best ( sometimes, again where you work ) and they have this system so if you look at the strings around their necks they have beads its some kind of work thing, pretty cool. The bad thing is the cold weather when it rains.
I wanted so bad to get out of there. I loved SFGAm to death, and foolish me I wanted to work there. Now that I finally did it ruined my spirit! Drama, hot weather in those hot uniforms kind of ruins it for you. But you do meet more people and now that I think about it I miss going through ESO and the cafeteriaon breaks!!!
No matter how hard it is...Never EVER give up. The real failure is those who dont try.
I worked there in '96 and '97, the first year my main unit was Rapids, the next year was Shockwave. Although I was nearly completely North side Certified. I was certified to run Shuttle, Rue le Dodge, Rapids, Shockwave, Columbia, Cliffhanger/Power Dive, the only rides on the north side of the park(Orleans Place & Carousel Plaza) I wasn't certified for was Condor and Sky Trek Tower. Although I was also certified to run the kiddie flats and BBYA(Bugs Bunny's Yukon Adventure), which were not on the north side, but east(BBYA)and west sides(Hometown Park). So I was ALL over the place most of the time. But a worthwhile experience. But you won't get any current employees to tell you anything on the forum they are supposedly not supposed to post at message boards about SF. You sign a contract when you are hired prohibiting you from discussing the goings on at SFGAm or other SF parks, you can be sued.
Welcome to ShockWave please pull your harness down as far as it will go. While riding ShockWave please keep your hands and feet inside the car, and your head against the headrest, please hold on to all loose articles, especially hats and glasses. Enjoy your ride!
I worked there for a short while in the 2004 season and wanted games, but I got stuck in the foods department. I didn't really enjoy it at all. I would have liked to work the games though.
I have been thinking about applying to SFGAm for next season, still deciding and looking at the pros/cons.
Basically I couldn't work in the food department, it just wouldn't be possible because I just hate serving food. I could do games but obviously I want rides the most.
Top 5 wood-5-Goliath 4-Ravine Flyer II 3-Phoenix 2-Voyage 1-El Toro Top 5 Steel- 5-Velocicoaster 4- Maverick 3- Fury 325 2-Steel Vengeance 1-X2 Coaster Count: 444
^ When I applied last year, I applied on the second day of the application days, and I still got stuck with foods. If you do apply, I suggest applying on the first application day.
^I don't know, I applied when they came to my school....have no idea how many days into applications they were, but I still got into rides. But even if you don't get into where you want to go, you can always transfer as a rehire for the next season.
Welcome to ShockWave please pull your harness down as far as it will go. While riding ShockWave please keep your hands and feet inside the car, and your head against the headrest, please hold on to all loose articles, especially hats and glasses. Enjoy your ride!
