Theme Park Jobs...

[The Interpreter]

Am I the only one who finds this article offensive?

Theme Park Jobs Not Just For Stoned Teens Anymore:

Traditionally, and in films like Adventureland, theme park jobs have been the province of squinty-eyed high school and college students or failed actors getting a last bit of glory in a Disney princess costume, but times are changing. With California's unemployment rate at 12.4%, workers with years of experience are lining up for jobs at Southern California theme parks....

While theme park jobs typically pay little more than minimum wage, they do often come with the perk of free admission to the park and discounts for family and friends. We hope they come with under-the-table cutting-the-lines-for-the-big-coaster privileges too.

http://www.blackbook...s-anymore/16766

My comment: What a condescending, elitist horse's rear...

[kjkjkj]

Wow. Could they be any more condescending? I would hardly say that most amusement park workers were stoners. Well, maybe a few are in in their spare time, but not while working! Some show performers are very talented, and go on to be famous. (Carmen Electra anyone?) I think this would be offensive to some amusement park workers!

[CoastersRZ]

I know I certainly take offense to that article. I mean, I worked eight years at Coney (possibly soon to be a ninth) season. It is a fun job that I enjoy doing. The pay is not the primary reason I work there. And, saying that the job is for stoned teens is really a nice way to generalize something. I mean, I graduated from one of the best architecture programs in the country! Coney was the first job that I ever had, and to say that I still enjoyed going into work every day in my eighth year is something not a lot of people would say about their jobs, after eight years.

[CedarPointer]

...WOW. Seriously? I'm not a "stoned teen" thankyouverymuch.

We hope they come with under-the-table cutting-the-lines-for-the-big-coaster privileges too.

What? I don't get it.

[Muppet]

Well thats a relief, I can finally get a job at Kings Island now. One of the Ride department's many requirements for the position is smoking large amounts of weed and unfortunately I don't smoke. I'm glad that times are a changing. I guess thats what you get though when you have a person who knows nothing about the industry but still makes wild accusations about it, sounds like another author I've heard of float around on this site. Maybe it's a trend.

[SOB_TOM]

I sent this in for approval, but I doubt it will be posted, so I Figured I would post it here:

Do you think you could have at least had a title that was non-offensive? Seriously Ms. Eber, have you, or do you want to, work in the amusement industry? I worked at Kings Island outside of Cincinnati, Ohio for 5 years, and not one person I worked with was a drug user.

Also, your quote, "squinty-eyed high school and college students or failed actors getting a last bit of glory in a Disney princess costume," shows how little you know about something you are trying to write about. Yes, it is true that the primary applicants are high school and college aged people, however not one actor I have met applies to theme parks to get "a last bit of glory." In fact, most actors who work at theme parks are going to school for acting and are getting valuable on-stage time to make themselves better actors.

Ms. Eber, I feel that these comments are both degrading to those who work at theme parks, or have worked at theme parks, and cast a negative impression of the parks themselves. I urge you, Ms. Eber, to hold your prejudices against what you perceive as "Bottom jobs" until after you have completed your research of these jobs.

It would have been longer, however my first draft was 1728 characters, and they only allow comments under 1500..

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

In all of my 16 seasons working at Kings Island, I have never ever been stonned or drank, nor have any of my co-workers. Unless Cheech or Chong ever worked at one of the seasonal parks. Kings Island does not hire characters but rather people of character and we care and enjoy the work that we do.

[windshawne]

In all of my 16 seasons working at Kings Island, I have never ever been stonned or drank, nor have any of my co-workers. Unless Cheech or Chong ever worked at one of the seasonal parks. Kings Island does not hire characters but rather people of character and we care and enjoy the work that we do.

Exactly-I have never seen a stoned employee, but several stoned guests-big difference there. Another sleaze in print..

[coaster_junky]

wow, i'm not even a park employee and i take offense to this, how do these people get these ideas to stick in their heads?

they compared everyday park employees to the ones portrayed in a fictional movie, so next time unseasonal weather occurs are we going to prepare for what happened in the movie day after tomorrow?

[berlingkj]

I'll admit, there are a few shady workers at the park at which I work, but you'll get that anywhere. She obviously feels the need to bring herself up by painting theme park workers as nonentities. I'd feel bad too if I got stuck with the job of writing about teenage and college workers while aspiring to write cover stories and achieve the bohemian lifestyle so many condescending journalists seem to want. Keyword being condescending.

[HTCO]

This is what happens to your image when you stereotype people. Not cool Black Book.

[CedarPointer]

$10 says that she would be offended if I told her that all journalists were sleazy liars who would exaggerate anything just to get readers. Yes, the amusement park industry does have a few bad apples... but doesn't any industry?

[Monroe]

Well the way I look at it, she has to be on something to do an article on a polar bear that apparently in her opinion needs to get laid.

[The Interpreter]

I sent this in for approval, but I doubt it will be posted, so I Figured I would post it here:

Do you think you could have at least had a title that was non-offensive? Seriously Ms. Eber, have you, or do you want to, work in the amusement industry? I worked at Kings Island outside of Cincinnati, Ohio for 5 years, and not one person I worked with was a drug user.

Also, your quote, "squinty-eyed high school and college students or failed actors getting a last bit of glory in a Disney princess costume," shows how little you know about something you are trying to write about. Yes, it is true that the primary applicants are high school and college aged people, however not one actor I have met applies to theme parks to get "a last bit of glory." In fact, most actors who work at theme parks are going to school for acting and are getting valuable on-stage time to make themselves better actors.

Ms. Eber, I feel that these comments are both degrading to those who work at theme parks, or have worked at theme parks, and cast a negative impression of the parks themselves. I urge you, Ms. Eber, to hold your prejudices against what you perceive as "Bottom jobs" until after you have completed your research of these jobs.

It would have been longer, however my first draft was 1728 characters, and they only allow comments under 1500..

And now it is there, but it took them a while:

http://www.blackbookmag.com/article/theme-park-jobs-not-just-for-stoned-teens-anymore/16766