Working 2010 Season/ Employment Questions?

[mag48]

So last year I turned down the position for ride operations as it was too far of a drive and I was not old enough for housing. This year I will be graduating and of age. I was planning on attending the community college of Lake County also during the fall 2010 and getting an apartment. I just had some general questions, I will probably sign up for ride operations. What will I most likely get as a first year employee? What is the starting salary? How do things like breaks and meals work? Do you punch in once you walk in the employee gates or once you get to your ride? As far as housing what was the rate for the 2009 season. I have called Six Flags but they don't have much information at this time. Any other comments would be appreciated, I have searched the forum and read as many topics like this as I could, however many are from a few years ago. Thanks

[Galvan]

It would probably best to contact the park regarding most of your questions, so you get the right answers.

But I can tell you that several current and former park employees use this site, and they should be able to help you out.

[berlinboy101]

So last year I turned down the position for ride operations as it was too far of a drive and I was not old enough for housing. This year I will be graduating and of age. I was planning on attending the community college of Lake County also during the fall 2010 and getting an apartment. I just had some general questions, I will probably sign up for ride operations. What will I most likely get as a first year employee? What is the starting salary? How do things like breaks and meals work? Do you punch in once you walk in the employee gates or once you get to your ride? As far as housing what was the rate for the 2009 season. I have called Six Flags but they don't have much information at this time. Any other comments would be appreciated, I have searched the forum and read as many topics like this as I could, however many are from a few years ago. Thanks

I have worked in ride ops the last 3 years and the last two in management. The starting rate '09 season was $8.50, you are usually scheduled for 40 hours unless weather or economy affects attendance which is when they start sending people home. I believe housing was $40 a week. You punch in first thing you arrive in the employee lot right outside the park, you are expected to be at least 7 minutes early though, enough time so that you arrive at the ride on time. You get a 30 minute break for first 5.5 hours you work, lets say you work a 12 hour shift, you get (2) 30 minute breaks. Let me know if that just about answered all your questions.

[mag48]

How did the process go as far as what rides you operated your first three years. Any recommendations or ones to stay away from?

[Nystagmus]

When I worked in rides...back in the day, mind you...you requested your unit. If they had an opening, you were placed. If your unit was full, they placed you wherever they needed you. I don't know if it's still the same practice (I can't imagine why it wouldn't be).

If you are a good worker and reliable, your leads and supervisors will take note. I was promoted to lead within a month after I started in rides because I proved I could handle the responsibility. Not longer after, they moved me off a flats unit and put me on a coaster. Then I became a trainer and my days of operating rides were done. I miss pushing the blinking advance/enable buttons.

It sounds like you'll be applying early. Just request a unit and see what happens! If you don't get the unit you want, you've at least got your foot in the door...and you can always request to move units.

[berlinboy101]

When I worked in rides...back in the day, mind you...you requested your unit. If they had an opening, you were placed. If your unit was full, they placed you wherever they needed you. I don't know if it's still the same practice (I can't imagine why it wouldn't be).

If you are a good worker and reliable, your leads and supervisors will take note. I was promoted to lead within a month after I started in rides because I proved I could handle the responsibility. Not longer after, they moved me off a flats unit and put me on a coaster. Then I became a trainer and my days of operating rides were done. I miss pushing the blinking advance/enable buttons.

It sounds like you'll be applying early. Just request a unit and see what happens! If you don't get the unit you want, you've at least got your foot in the door...and you can always request to move units.

yeah what they do, is they have you go through a department training, and how it usually works is, at the end of the training, they have you take a 50 question test, whoever finishes first, they usually ask them where they want to go. I personally would recommend trying to be at a coaster, but realize that most coasters have a flat ride with them. Some good coasters to work at are Batman, Superman, V2, American Eagle, and Raging Bull.

[mag48]

Ok, that sounds good. The only thing I am worried about is that I don't graduate until May 29th or something like that. So I probably wouldn't even be able to start until June 1st. I wonder if that will reduce my chances of housing, and getting a more popular attraction, or a position at all. I am ,however, willing to drive up for the interview, and then for the orientation so that I would be ready to go on June 1st. As far as paychecks goes are the weekly or biweekly?

Also this is a little off topic but how is the College of Lake County? I haven't seen it and had my heart set on UIC, or Loyola but money savings is a good thing and I can get the in-district tuition rate as long as I work/live there during the summer and semesters throughout. I love Chicago, but I also think that being able to ride the Metra in on the weekends for only 5 dollars will keep me content for awhile.

Thanks Again.

[berlinboy101]

Your chances of housing if you start that late might be lowered but not really sure. You get paid weekly and CLC is actually a really good communitym college. Its actually considered the Ivy League school of community colleges.

[sfga2008]

In your first season, you are placed at a ride...they don't let you choose your ride. Contrary to what was said earlier, the test is longer than 50 questions and it doesn't matter how quickly you finish, they place you at a unit based on what slots they need filled.

[Nystagmus]

mag: going to CLC to get your associates is not a bad idea. Especially with going to Loyola, the cost savings will be very helpful. A few of my friends went to CLC and then transferred to a 4-year college. They're done with their student loans and I'm still paying mine off. A note about residency: you must be living within the college district 30 days prior to enrolling for classes to get the in-district rate. Otherwise, you'll have to pay the out-of-district rate. You'll have to prove this by showing a state issued ID listing your in-district address.

Your paychecks will be weekly. Get direct deposit: it's easier. Oh, and the $5 Metra fare is about to go up to $7. Welcome to Chicago!

[Goku1910]

Ok, that sounds good. The only thing I am worried about is that I don't graduate until May 29th or something like that. So I probably wouldn't even be able to start until June 1st. I wonder if that will reduce my chances of housing, and getting a more popular attraction, or a position at all. I am ,however, willing to drive up for the interview, and then for the orientation so that I would be ready to go on June 1st. As far as paychecks goes are the weekly or biweekly?

Also this is a little off topic but how is the College of Lake County? I haven't seen it and had my heart set on UIC, or Loyola but money savings is a good thing and I can get the in-district tuition rate as long as I work/live there during the summer and semesters throughout. I love Chicago, but I also think that being able to ride the Metra in on the weekends for only 5 dollars will keep me content for awhile.

Thanks Again.

Hi Former Employee here, but as Galvan316r said, you should really be calling SFGAm about your questions.

But I can answer a few.

SF will schedule you around your schooling, they just need a heads up during the employment processing...earlier the better. Availability sheets are also available and must be filled out every month.

Checks Are Weekly, SF now requires that all employees have Direct Deposit to go green.

As for not being able to start until June 1st, you should be fine, your chances of picking your own unit is pretty much 0. No matter what unit you're in, though, should give you at least one Coaster. Each unit is balanced that way. As for Housing, I am not Sure.

I can't tell where you're currently living, but if you're in Chicago, Six Flags does provide transportation for those who need it in Chicago.

[mag48]

Alright sounds good, I'm actually from a small illinois town near Clinton, Iowa. Its about a three hour drive to six flags. Since Six Flads housing is in Wisonsin, I'm assiming I'm out of district then so I would have to get an apartment.

[coasterfreak68]

I don't know if this has already been answered already in another forum, but when is the best time to apply for the 2010 season(ride op position), and is there any job fairs or anything like that i should be aware off?

[Goku1910]

I don't know if this has already been answered already in another forum, but when is the best time to apply for the 2010 season(ride op position), and is there any job fairs or anything like that i should be aware off?

You can start applying in January believe it or not! (Guessing, It's what I did in '09)

There are Job Fairs every month up until June I believe....Starting in February. I went in Feb. Last year

EDIT: I just checked SixFlagsJobs.com for confirmation on my Guess, looks like you can apply now, but I don't know if this site has been updated recently.

https://wfa.kronostm.com/index.jsp?loca ... sNonReqExt

[mag48]

It must have just been updated today because it wasn't on there the other day. I applied now and we will see when I hear back from them. Some of the questions about Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree are kind of hard to determine. I would LOVE to work at the Giant Drop, I love saying catchy phrases and making people laugh. Since its my first year I'm not going to complain, however, I'm not sure If I could take Wiggles World or Camp Cartoon.

[monsterfan99]

^ I would imagine Wiggle's World would be nice due to the shade.

My fiancee has a student that has a question maybe someone here can answer. How old do you have to be to be a park character?

[Goku1910]

^ I would imagine Wiggle's World would be nice due to the shade.

My fiancee has a student that has a question maybe someone here can answer. How old do you have to be to be a park character?

I believe it's 16 or 17 minimum. There are 15-year olds working in the park, you can see them wearing a yellow tag. But they're limited on employment choices. The only ones that I know worked in park services.

[flipmychips]

I'm considering working at SFGA for the 2010 season, and I'm completely new to this site. I have worked at Cedar Point Amusement Park for three and a half seasons, both as a lifeguard and buffet server, and really enjoyed the experience of working at a large scale park. I have several questions relating to employment:

What is the employee housing, if available, like?
Are there alot of serving or buffet positions in the park?
If anyone has worked at both Cedar Point and SFGA, how do the two experiences compare?

I'll probably think of some others...

Thanks again!

[RagingBullFan]

I have worked at both Cedar Point and SFGAm, but in different positions. At CP I was a Ride Operator while at SFGAm I was Ride Maintenance.

1) I haven't seen the SFGAm housing, but I know it is nicer than CP's (Especially Cedars) but it is also more expensive and it is not on park property.

2) There are not nearly as many serving positions at SFGAm as there are at CP. Most of the SFGAm positions are in Crazy Buffet-Lo (Crazy Buffalo Saloon) as that is the only true buffet at the park (If I remember right... forget the picnic grove)

3) I really liked working at both CP and SFGAm. At CP I met a ton of different people and because there is nothing there really except CP, Mejier, or the clubs made some good friends there. At SFGAm the team unity isn't quite as high as at CP because there is so much more to do than just the park.

If you really wanted to stay in a serving position I'd have to say stick with CP, since SFGAm's Food Department is, to put it nicely, in need of serious help. But if you were open to other options such as Ride Operations they are essentially the same.

[flipmychips]

Thanks, RagingBullFan!

I'd probably be open to serving in the Crazy Buffalo Saloon as well as lifeguarding or games. Which rides at CP did you work on?

[RagingBullFan]

First two weeks were on Mean Streak, then Gemini for the rest of the summer.

[Déjà Vu '07]

It must have just been updated today because it wasn't on there the other day. I applied now and we will see when I hear back from them. Some of the questions about Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree are kind of hard to determine. I would LOVE to work at the Giant Drop, I love saying catchy phrases and making people laugh. Since its my first year I'm not going to complain, however, I'm not sure If I could take Wiggles World or Camp Cartoon.

Every unit is unique in its own way, even the kiddie areas. Even if you are in a kiddies' area, that doesn't mean you will have "a terrible season." Believe it or not, the kiddie units are not bad to work at all. They're very easy, basically stress-free, and the kids actually listen to you. Trust me, everyone goes in hoping they aren't at at kiddie unit, but after they've worked it for the whole season, they LOVE it.

[mag48]

I can see how that would be true. I guess I have always just loved running the big rides and feel that would be the place I would be happiest but anywhere I think I will like much better than my part time job in fast food. I have been looking at apartments in the Gurnee, and Waukegan area but haven't a studio for less that about $550. Does any one from around the area know of any affordable housing complex's?

[Nystagmus]

Mag, try checking Craigslist for apartments. Also, consider having a roommate: it's much cheaper and you end up saving a lot of money. Having lived by myself for a few years and now with a great roommate, I'm much happier with the roommate option.

[monsterfan99]

I can see how that would be true. I guess I have always just loved running the big rides and feel that would be the place I would be happiest but anywhere I think I will like much better than my part time job in fast food. I have been looking at apartments in the Gurnee, and Waukegan area but haven't a studio for less that about $550. Does any one from around the area know of any affordable housing complex's?

Roommate(s) will be your best option. I live in a 1 bed room apartment in downtown Libertyville that runs $875 a month with gas and water. Odds are, the cheapest 1 bed room you will find that is not owned by a slum lord in the area will run $700-$750 with no utilities other then trash pick-up. Also remember that unless you are moving here for 12 months, there will be a much higher rate with rent. So sub-leasing is going to be your best bet. Check Craig'slist and the local news papers.

Also, gas and/or electric companies do a credit check. Those companies also tend to requie a large deposit as a safeguard in case you fail to make payment (not saying you will at all.) In college, this ran around $180 even though we were only going to be there 3 months.