...Gurnee

• Thieves stole a cell phone and driver's license around 11:45 p.m. Oct. 20 from a storage bin at the Batman ride in Six Flags Great America, 1 Six Flags Parkway, police said. Value was estimated at $150.

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from: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=65545&src=3

This is why I never use those things, its worth the extra piece of mind to pony up for a $1 locker if/when I need to store something (or just walk to my car, but Im lazy so that usually doesn't happen)

Why in the world would anyone leave their cell phone in a bin? You are asking to have it stolen. Just take it with you and allow one of the coasters to eat it.

Seriously, lockers anyone?

When I took a digital cam to CP, my wife (fiance' at the time) suggested we leave it in a bin to ride. I gave her the strangest look, explained with a hundred reasons not to, then walked back to our hotel room to put it away.

Yeah, all of the above are reaosns why I typically either opt to leave it all in the car in the first place (and do purpose specific photo safari's when the mood strikes) when a non-riding partner is not available. If the car option isn't practical, I have been goign with the fanny pack. Sure they may not be fashionable and might get you labeled as nerdy, but they get the job done when it comes to holding loose articles.

The courtesy boxes on the coaster platforms should be your last resort, and even that is pushing it. Of course the fanny pack option won't work at Holiday World as they have some phobia against those, but they do offer free secure lockers on the coaster platforms where you get a key.

I wouldn't put anything in the losse article bin on the platform that you are emotionally or financially attached to...

This is why I never use those things, its worth the extra piece of mind to pony up for a $1 locker if/when I need to store something (or just walk to my car, but Im lazy so that usually doesn't happen)

Keeping stuff in the car trunk is not always the safest option, either:

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=67091&src=3

And I've had an experience or two with stuff disappearing at hotels.

There are lockers of very decent size in X-Base that are just 75 cents. Sound like a cheap piece of mind to me. Earlier this month, a Firehawk greeter had a cell phone that was broken in half and was saying, "This is probably what will happen if you take your cell phone on the ride."

Several times this season, while exiting Firehawk, I have seen several broken cellphones, laying in pieces, under the track returning to the station. Very odd place for that. I can just imagine how many met their fate elsewhere on the ride!

Of all coasters, Shivering Timbers has taken not one but two wrist watches from my wrist and disposed of them. The coaster then known as Grizzly at Silverwood, now Timber Terror, did the same, but only with one.

Several times this season, while exiting Firehawk, I have seen several broken cellphones, laying in pieces, under the track returning to the station. Very odd place for that. I can just imagine how many met their fate elsewhere on the ride!

Of all coasters, Shivering Timbers has taken not one but two wrist watches from my wrist and disposed of them. The coaster then known as Grizzly at Silverwood, now Timber Terror, did the same, but only with one.

How... uh.... yeah... I'll say it. How the heck do you loose a wrist watch??

In 2005 I lost a very nice Eddie Bauer wrsitwatch to The Beast because the wristband was worn down and this previous year I lost a another watch which was brand new, and a gift, while going through the helix.

Thats unfortunate Gordon, I have never lost a wrist watch on any coaster. Were your watch bands the "clip" velcro or "belt" type? Because so long as you have the end guard (ie the little plastic hoop to put your excess strap in after you have locked it) on a belt model I cant see how it can come off.

That's ok. On Saturday, my friend almost lost his innocence on Son of Beast. Somewhere along the ride, Sonny undid his belt buckle (note: NOT seat belt). I don't know what kind of belt buckle it was, but that's quite a feat for Sonny.

I never take my cell phone in the parks, too afraid of losing it. I actually did lose a cell phone once during an associate ride night. Not sure if I lost it on King Cobra or Face/Off.

I have lost 3 cell phones on the Son of Beast and a digital camera on The Racer but that was retuned to me in the mail. At Cedar Point I had a digital camera in my pocket tied off to a belt loop and the pocket zipped shut and the operator refused to let me ride as long as the camera was in my pocket and I was forced to put it in the bin. That happened to me on Wicked Twister where all the other rides it didnt seem to matter.

The only way my cell phone makes it into the parks is if I am wearing a jacket with zippered pockets or Im wearing cargo shorts. Heck even my wallet is never in a normal pocket at an amusement park.

I've never lost anything at an amusement park. I wear my "coaster shorts"!