Different training or personal preference?

[Geno21K]

Hey everyone,

Many people, myself included, have talked about the particularly great job that the ride ops have been doing this year. Still, to me, it does not appear that the ops are having as much fun as they used to. Here is what I mean: Back in the day (5-7 years ago) I remember waiting in the station for Shockwave. During that wait, the op would personally welcome the riders to the ride, provide instructions and then tell the riders to enjoy their ride. Likewise, most of the time he/she would welcome the riders back to the station and ask them how the ride was, which often resulted in screams and yells of excitement. This was the case on nearly every coaster in the park. Now I know that most, if not all, of the rides these days have an automated welcome and instructions announcement, so that explains the reason why those things aren't covered (although I realize that ops still make several announcements, particularly on Vu--damn that orange safety belt!) , but as for the other aspects, was that just what ops were trained to do back then, or did I just encounter unusually enthusiastic ops? Believe me, I don't think that I'd be cheerful and excited if I was stuck on a platform dispatching trains and/or checking restraints all day long. I also want to make it clear that I don't think that the ops are doing anything wrong. But it really used to make the ride experience even cooler when the ops got the energy level up. So I was just curious as to whether or not they used to be trained to do that?

[Danhockey04]

All I have to say, it's my opinion, is that I did not like when they asked us if we liked the ride after being on it so many times, and if I were to work there, I would not want to say the announcement, I would rather have the recording do it because I would get tired of saying the same thing over and over.

[planea380]

That is one thing that I think Cedar Point is doing right. Each rideop was different but said the same thing, and sometimes added jokes to it etc..

[mschulz5]

One time, when i was at Cedar Point, Mantis broke down for about 10 minutes while my family was in the station, and the ops got on the intercom and we played a trivia game, it made the time go past a lot better, and kept everyone in a better mood.

[Papas]

Your forgetting the one of the main reasons ride ops don't say things over the microphone is because they're not supposed to say anything custom or anything, just the spiel and do not sit or stand on the handrails, and please exit out the exit.

[coasterswimgurl12]

well....I think the ride ops should be enthusiastic like that again, because when I was at Cedar Point, it did make the rides a lot more fun and so what if YOU get sick of ride ops asking how your ride was....YOU are not the only rider on the train, lots of people go on rides for their first time everyday.

[w00dland]

in my opinion it would add excitement to the ride and put a smile on more guest's faces. The thing is though a lot of the people SFI hire just aren't enthusastic about their jobs. You can tell who is and who isn't just by how they act around guests. I have encountered many ops this season that would ask me how my ride was and had a smile on their face while asking it. 3 ops in Raging Bull actually know me by how I look and say Hi to me whenever they see me.

Last time I was there I was waiting a Demon breakdown out (1.5 hours) and the mechanic actually told me what was going on and told me to stay in line, and to have a great day. And I didn't even ask him anything!

And I'll never forget when RB broke down last year while I was in the station the op by the mic started beatboxing sorta quietly, then people said it was good and he did it louder. Good times.

[linebacker131]

YEa i think it would be a nice touch and make alot of people hapier or think better of the park.That was one thing that was cool at cedar point they asked after everyride almost but rpater seamed to be the most enthusiastic.

[highroller13]

in my opinion it would add excitement to the ride and put a smile on more guest's faces. The thing is though a lot of the people SFI hire just aren't enthusastic about their jobs. You can tell who is and who isn't just by how they act around guests. I have encountered many ops this season that would ask me how my ride was and had a smile on their face while asking it. 3 ops in Raging Bull actually know me by how I look and say Hi to me whenever they see me.

Last time I was there I was waiting a Demon breakdown out (1.5 hours) and the mechanic actually told me what was going on and told me to stay in line, and to have a great day. And I didn't even ask him anything!

And I'll never forget when RB broke down last year while I was in the station the op by the mic started beatboxing sorta quietly, then people said it was good and he did it louder. Good times.

LOL Beat boxing, that would have been funny! I too, think that ride ops should be more enthusiastic. Yesterday at the park, the Revolution ride op was looking at me crazy when i asked what I should do with me hat. I just stared at me like I was a complete idiot, and then just walked away. I was so pissed. But the ride was fun so...

[RoxyGirlie718]

The ride ops in St Louis are like that. They had the people in the lines singing songs when Batman broke down. At least it makes you smile when it's hot and sticky outside. It doesn't hurt anything. I like it!