Browntggrr

http://www.rcdb.com/id4021.htm This ride has been operating for only 9 days? And the trains fell apart? Are ya kidding me?

If it's the money, don't pressure your parents. You have been to KI and CP, and are now in Florida. I'd say you have had a pretty good summer already!

You are correct, the pictures don't show things like that. And that is the point I am trying to get across. Is it's KI's fault that the apartments are like that, considering the glowing specs given through apartment search sites that I found; or is it the apartment managements' fault for letting people live like this and giving false descriptions of the living conditions? If you think about it, the amount of KI workers living there is a very small percentage to all the residents there. Why did the TV station make it look like a KI issue, and do an "I" team investigation, when it really was not a KI issue but (according to you, and I am not disputing what you have seen or know) a slum lord issue? The quick answer I can see is that the "I" team has done slum lord investigations in the past. So another "I" team investigation on slum lords would be just that. But now if you put "Kings Island" in the title, it sounds like a brand new story, and a shocking one at that. That would be sensationalization at its best- gripping the viewer with a catchy title. According to the links I found, it sounds like a great place. We really don't know what kind of time constraints KI was under to house these internationals. We also don't know if the entire property is like you described, or, if it only a few units. For all we know a KI representative could have actually looked into the apartments, saw some good looking ones (like the ones in the pictures), and felt satisfied with the conditions. And here is the real kicker: we are just a bunch of internet fanboys of a certain park. Look at the information we thought of, and the information we found. I find it difficult to believe that this so called "I" team could not think and do some of the same things. And they do these "investigations" for a living. Unless they had ulterior motives...

BGA is a great park. It is more of a thrill park themed to animals, but definately something that I would not miss if I was down in that area of Florida. Most of the coasters BGA has are all really good. And, being a Busch park, the atmosphere is among the best of any park. What are their issues with BGA?

It has been awhile since this has been brought up. But it seems so fitting yet once again. http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/posting

Here is a video of the CP Chaussee: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeLaOrx6QgQ...feature=related As mentioned earlier, the Causeway and Chaussee are two different roads and used by the many residents that live along the waterfront as well as the residents that live near the CP parking lot. BTW, if anyone would like some nice views of Lake Erie, take the Chaussee. But be careful, the police (not CP police) watch that road like hawks when CP is open, especially near CP's start and end of day hours.

If $300/ month includes all utilities (water, electric, garbage, maintenence, internet, cable, phone, fridge) they are getting a DEAL! I am going to guess that KI signed the lease for these students, since they are from another country. I am also going to guess that things like cable and phone were also taken care of by the park for the same reason. And after listening to the area that they are living, it does sound like it is not the nicest of areas. But according to these links it does not sound too bad: http://www.apartmentcities.com/Ohio/d/wood...the_lake_OH.asp http://www.forrent.com/apartment-community...ile/1031895.php http://www.rentalguideapartments.com/Apart...gId/165809.html Read into the story a little bit. KI did admit that housing for these internationals did fall through at the last minute, and they found these apartments at the last minute. From that link I found, it does not sound like that bad of a place to live. I'm not saying that it is a good place, but from the link, it does not sound bad. So is it really KI that should be investigated, or should it be the management group that operates the apartments? Because from the way it looks, if it is as bad as described, the management group is as guilty, or even more guilty, than what KI was blamed for.

....and people criticize CF for an insane amount of garbage cans in their parks. It is easier to collect and dispose garbage from a can than it is to collect garbage from the ground.

Some other topics on the subject: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=281 http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1588 http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=12949 http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2390

The employees also stated that they were surprised that there was no furniture supplied to them and that there was no internet access. Yet, they were not to be supplied furniture and they do have internet access. So how can the students try and claim that they tried so hard to contact an HR person when other issues they brought up are false? I also find it hard to believe that these students, from another country, were able to get in touch with the local media so easily, but found difficulty in speaking with an HR representative that is located on the same property that they work. If I was in their position, and I felt slighted with my living conditions, I would have been beating doors down until the issues were resolved.

How would going with a child make you hate trims more than you already do? My suggestion is to not go at all, that way you can gripe about something else that you cannot control, say like , the weather.

http://images.intellicast.com/WeatherImg/R...y_None_anim.gif Being the internet meteorologist that I am ( ), it looks like it will be a hit or miss day for rain in the Cincy area until this evening.

Don't forget about what XGatorhead mentioned: This story could be just the common disgruntled employee(s). And his TR was back from 6/1/08. From the article: After thinking about this for awhile, there are some things that just don't make sense. If you wanted to work at KI for the summer, wouldn't you know how much money you would be making? So if it costs (assuming that the figures the report are true) $3000 for travel, and another $1200/ month for living quarters, you would need to make at least 4X that to make ends meet, make some money, and have extra cash in your pocket just so it would be worthwhile. I also have a difficult time believing that the apartment costs $1200/ pp/ month. If you are living with 4 other people that would be a $4800/ month apartment. All I have to say about that is, are they commuting from Manhatten? Now the article does not specifically say that each are paying $1200 or if that the $1200 is shared between the 4 roommates, but that is proof of how some of these "I" team investigations like to put a spin on things. But let's guess that the $1200 is split between the 4 roommates. That would be about $4000 for travel to the US and a roof over your head for 3 months. And at (guessing) $8/ hour, even if you worked 40 hours for 13 weeks, that comes to just above $4000. Why would it be worth it to come? I used VERY rough numbers. But even at that, why would any intelligent person agree to that type of pay, along with cost of living and trvel expenses to begin with? Unless, we have not heard the full story. And I am going to assume we have not.

Only $50,000? Either this guy was doing something unsafe that caused his accident, or her attornies need to find a new career.

GE Transportation in Erie, PA.

Wow. Another case of summer workers not happy with their job! Imagine that! I know when I was in college that when the summer started I loved my barely above minimum wage job. How dare CP give these kids employment, housing, food, and free admisson to the park all summer long. When the alternative would be living at mommy & daddy's house all summer and working at the local Whippy Dip after living on your own at the college dorm for the last 9 months. Bottom line, with the exception of the international students (as long as the story has not been grossley exaggerated), if a college student does not like their job, go somewhere else. There are enough glory stories of working at CP to equal the horror stories. If you can make more money somewhere else and have a better experience, then why did you even bother of applying at CP?

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story.aspx?...2a-f8b5321418d1 While some of the story does seem disturbing, the first thing it reminded me of is living in a college dorm for the first 2 years before I got an apartment. This is the part that got me. If these kids had it so bad, and I'm not saying they don't, then how could they not speak up and say something? What would be the worst that happened? They get fired and have to go back home? All things considered, that may have been their best choice.

If there was a contract made how do you know that it wasn't and adjustable contract to flux with the price of steel or were you there when they made the deal? I'm sure that the contracts are drawn up where the cost of materials is open-ended that suits the park as well as B & M. Also, when it comes down to purchasing the materials, once the contracts are signed between B & M and the park for the coaster, then B & M will come to an agreement and sign a contract with steel supplier and lock in a certain price. I have to deal with this type of thing everyday since the cost of materials where I work have skyrocketed. It is a double edged sword. In many cases, there are only one or two suppliers for a certain product. And our supplier has a contract with us for a certain amount of product, for a certain amount of time, for a certain cost. Now if the cost of the material has skyrocketed (i.e. aluminum, copper, steel etc.) someone has to swallow that cost. Now it could be the supplier since we have the contract with them. But now the downside of that is, my company can push the issue and keep the cost where the contract dictates. But now that puts the burden of cost on our supplier. If they can't handle the cost, that could put them into bankruptcy. If that happens, not only will the contract we have with the supplier become potentially void, if they do happen to go out of business, we then only have one other supplier to turn to. And the last thing you want is to have a single possible supplier. If they have the monopoly and know it, then they can kill you with the cost of materials.

It does have that possibility. As quote from a UV Education professor: Exactly. So why give ideas when it is not necessary?

And what about those that don't have criminal intentions, but then find information laid out in front of them with a bow on top? And, no offense, exactly how can you assure us what people are gathering or not gathering from the local media? Copycat crimes happen all the time. Now, how do you believe the people that mimic others' crimes find out about them? http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationwor...0,1498402.story http://www.bsu.edu/news/article/0,1370,-1019-652,00.html

So why did you not inform us of the policy change back then? We had to rely on a media outlet? Thanks alot!

And along with that, how people handle their money really does crack me up. Money is one of the dirtiest things a person can handle. Just think about all the people that handled the dollar bill in your pocket, and where it could have possibly have been. Now think about the last time you paid for that Cheese Coney, slice of pizza, or any type of finger food. Did you wash your hands before putting that food in your mouth? Scary thought huh?

I failed to mention that the policy change is a good idea. I just wonder why it happened mid-season. Keeping the handicap/ parent swap policies the same is a good idea. It should ease the confusion for the guests and the ride operators. This will also clear out the exit areas of the rides. And if you do go with a group and one of your friends is in a wheelchair, one of you can stay with you friend, and the group can wait in line, and then all ride together.

"I know for a fact this policy has been abused in the past," Schmidt said. "There are people who will rent wheelchairs and fake handicaps to avoid waiting in line, but this way those guests who are in need will still benefit." Sigh..... He knows for a fact but fails to give examples. Perhaps he did give examples, but the paper chose not to print it, or, there was no need to give examples since the article was not based on how people used/ abused the system, but it was how the system has now changed. And also, why give people ideas by giving examples? Just like when USA Today explained in the paper how Timothy McVeigh made the bomb used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Although much more drastic of an example, you get the idea.

There are many things we don't know. Does KI even have the international program at all? What kind of specifics does a work visa have? If the international worker wants to quit KI, is there any kind of repurcussion? (i.e. do they have to pay their own way home?, do they owe money for the room they have been staying in? etc.) If some of those things would prevent them from leaving the park, I can see why they would feel like a prisoner. Granted, it would be by their own decision, but people can feel trapped if the options are limited.