thedevariouseffect Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 Could be in relation to that potentially I more lean towards the issue of it valkeying like it did opening weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magenta Lizard Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Two things I noticed today. There is a water leak near an electrical box on the right wall of the queue outside the UFO. It wasn't raining at the time, and I don't think that can help with their electrical issues. Also, they have it a lot darker on the ride itself than it was earlier in the season. I don't think that could be conserving much power but it's interesting. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegajone Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Not only are those rows blocked off, but unless my eyes were deceiving me, the restraints in those rows were taken out completely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Could be in relation to that potentially I more lean towards the issue of it valkeying like it did opening weekend Which, in and of itself, is a very rare thing. A portent of things then to come? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 So a little comment on my quick trip yesterday. I dont like commenting on how ride ops do their jobs. But..... Yesterday on Beast, I was disappointed in the crew. From pulling into the station till we got out of the car we stopped 4 times. 4 complete stops. It felt like someone learning to drive a car coming to a stop light. If the driver/controller was new, I get it. But on a busy day, is that needed? The Beast ran great but sitting in the shed for almost 90 seconds of not moving followed by 4 stops, felt like there could have been a better driver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I always get those same four stops in the same places. I'm guessing that it's completely computer-controlled, and that's how the computer is programmed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 fair enough. If its normal, then my apologies. I would have sworn (foggy memory) that last year it was not like that. Oh well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purdude86 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 As far as I recall it's always made the numerous stops like that in the station.At least as far back as I can remember on my trips to the park it has done that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegajone Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I thought it was interesting yesterday that they WERE assigning seats on DB, but were NOT assigning seats on Banshee. If I had to guess I'd say the DB crew has been pressured to move a little quicker by someone higher up. I was half-paying attention when I heard over the loudspeaker "blah blah blah 23, 14 cycles". I don't know what was said before the "23" (could have had something to do with what time it was; when I checked my phone after riding it was a minute or 2 before 11:30, so it's plausible that it could have been 11:23 at the time), or why they said anything at all, but they definitely said "14 cycles". Additionally, there were ride ops taking loose articles from guests as they approached the train, I assume in an effort to speed things up. Whatever they were doing seemed to be working as the stacking was minimal during my 5-10 minute wait time. I was bummed though because I kind of wanted to marathon DB while riding in different seats each time, but the assigned seating deterred me from doing so. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 ^ I noticed this as well. The DB crew were also asking riders to put their hands up when their seat belts were fastened and lap bar secured. They were racing against a clock - someone was calling out specific timeframes (45 seconds, 55 seconds) over the speakers once a train entered the station. There seemed to be a much greater sense of urgency yesterday. I think Banshee's crew wasn't assigning seats yesterday due to the very small line. During most of the day yesterday, the line ended somewhere on the stairs. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I don't know why the ride ops assign seats on a 1200+ coaster. Fill the station, suggest rows with gaps, and if you see an odd group try to pair with a single rider or another group to even it out. Dispatching empty seats unless there is no line is unacceptable IMO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malem Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 ^ Many groups will allow empty rows to be dispatched while trying to get everyone on the same train. Assigning seats keeps groups together and prevents empty seats. Of course, those who want to wait a train should find people to go ahead of them in their row - but many don't do that. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Exactly my point. Let people eh smart and do it themselves. If they don't coax someone into a row, don't assign. It's easier to fill a station, hold back the line for a minute, and assess where you need a single rider, small group, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcgoble3 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 On the subject of power hours, I was next in line for 1-2 on Diamondback at 9:00 last night when the phone on the outside of the control box rang. An op picked it up, listened for a few seconds, then asked the driver for the train count. She relayed the train count to the person on the other end of the line and hung up, and the crew immediately went into power hour mode, with the driver repeatedly saying that each train should be dispatched in 45 seconds. I'm like... why? Why bother with a power hour when there is virtually no line? If you must do power hours, do them on a Saturday afternoon when the queue is full and you need to keep the line moving quickly. Not in the final hour of the day on a weekday when the rides have just been shut down for weather for almost two hours, causing most of the general public to leave early. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I'm sure daily and weekly capacity data measures the full day, not just the peak hours. I manage a call center and one of our key metrics is average handle time. Even at night we'll sometimes put a lot of pressure on the employees to get the calls quickly resolved, even if we have many agents available. For some managers, it's not so much about customer satisfaction as much as it is about hitting that goal. (sadly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 No power hours ever. Run safetly but efficiently. If you keep a constant pace, bust ass, and do it correctly with no margin of error, no issues. Then no complaints either from me. If the crew busts ass and a stack happens because of an article or large guest, etc I understand the issue. However when I see they stack because they just aren't moving and dragging on, etc. I critique. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I've never understood the point of a power hour. Why does the park do them? Why do they think they're necessary? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 ^ To get in as many cycles as possible so that the nightly report looks better? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 So why not do that all day? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovinMeSomeBanshee Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Shark, I know the DB crew hustled most of the day yesterday. I'm not an expert on amusement park statistics, but perhaps they had to hit X number of cycles in a day as a goal, and they were near it with 1 hour to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark6495 Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I get that. I know the crews work very hard. But as an outsider (having never worked in a park) a power hour is silly. Shouldn't the same turn over rate you do in a power hour he what you do during any part of the regular day? Unless of course a power hour is where you get more crew on deck and help shuffle guests on and off with more people to check harnesses. Then that I get. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Safety first. Safety always. Safety all ways. How does a power hour fit in with that? I definitely get the impression during such hours that all else is virtually forfeited in an effort to set speed records, or darn near it. And it also makes the park look bad. Either they are rushing and taking short cuts during that hour or they are slouchy the rest of the time. That's the perception. God forbid a dispatch error takes place and there are injuries and/or deaths during such an hour. The trial lawyers will have a field day. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creed Bratton Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I've never understood the point of a power hour. Why does the park do them? Why do they think they're necessary? Competition. Behemoth vs Diamondback vs Intimidator. Not sure if there is a prize or anything. But, what everyone here I'm assuming is seeing is Ride Ops not caring and just going as fast as they can. It's a sense of urgency. Every step has a purpose, every action has a purpose. Most of the ride ops doing power hours have been at a ride for long enough to follow safety procedures without being obvious. Thus creating the image of not caring and going as fast as they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 I do not doubt your sincerity. That does not explain the situations I have seen where guests have been physically pushed into the seat by the ride op and the restraint literally slammed into their lap. Or the ones I have seen where restraints were missed. I'm not saying this happened at Kings Island. Nor will I say it hasn't. Shameful. But I guess the ride ops may have beat the clock. Best day ever? For whom? 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malem Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 I've never understood the point of a power hour. Why does the park do them? Why do they think they're necessary?Competition. Behemoth vs Diamondback vs Intimidator. Not sure if there is a prize or anything. But, what everyone here I'm assuming is seeing is Ride Ops not caring and just going as fast as they can. It's a sense of urgency. Every step has a purpose, every action has a purpose. Most of the ride ops doing power hours have been at a ride for long enough to follow safety procedures without being obvious. Thus creating the image of not caring and going as fast as they can. Capacity competition between rides may be a reason for the crew, but it's certainly not a reason for the corporate policy that allows them. I would venture to guess that allowing this sort of thing is intended to keep operators sharp. Normal operation is going to sometimes involve time pressure, such as with stacked trains or the park closing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Every position does have a set of functions and processes it must complete in order for the train to advance/dispatch as intended. I agree there. However, are rides running at their best efficiency through these processes? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. That's my problem with operations this year. Times the crews may seem like they are busting ass, and they are. Banshee crew yesterday was moving quite cohesively through the day. Most notably was a taller female there, I forgot her name to put in good word, but she really had hustle. Many a times she finished checks first and really watched the platform and made sure everything was flowing well. However Diamondback has sometimes been what I refer to as a zombie crew. Lifeless, no flow, no speed, and just seems out of it. From a confused op at crowd trying to assign seats leaving empty rows and spots on the next train (why only load one train in station??),a few load ops trying to organize purses on one arm with the new policy, and really seem to check at their leisure. All I ask is keep everyone safe at all times, that's the job, that's all it entails. However please be efficient. If safety checks need to be that long for something, sure ok (see Skyscraper @ CP, it takes a bit of time to get it right & cross checks). However a clamshell lap bar restraint with retractable seat belt does not take long, nor are there cross checks other than controls. Keep efficient, it's not hard to move with a sense of purpose. Just keep em safe and keep the line moving. B&M basically hands you capacity on a silver platter, I don't know how that seems to have failed the past two years with the DB crew. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTD-120-420 Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 They launched fireworks into thunderstorms last week, though extremely few guests stuck around to see them. High winds would preclude the launch, for obvious reasons. I believe that they have cancelled fireworks early in the day if a rainout looks inevitable. For advice on taking a nap at KI, you should probably ask TTD-120-420. I have never gone to sleep at an amusement park, though I came close once while waiting 30 minutes on the show to start at the Kings Island Theater. Be careful about sleeping at Soak City; you wouldn't want to wake up to a sunburn or stolen belongings. He's right, I'm KIC's expert nap correspondent. Some of my favorite places to nap at Kings Island are on top of the Eiffel Tower (slow days only), tables in the shade by the fountains, bench by the main entrance by the park sign, grassy area in Planet Snoopy (least favorite because I hate screaming children), and, of course, the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad (my absolute favorite). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedevariouseffect Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 Second fountains & railroad..been there done that How on tower, even Lindz gave me a puzzled look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 They launched fireworks into thunderstorms last week, though extremely few guests stuck around to see them. High winds would preclude the launch, for obvious reasons. I believe that they have cancelled fireworks early in the day if a rainout looks inevitable. For advice on taking a nap at KI, you should probably ask TTD-120-420. I have never gone to sleep at an amusement park, though I came close once while waiting 30 minutes on the show to start at the Kings Island Theater. Be careful about sleeping at Soak City; you wouldn't want to wake up to a sunburn or stolen belongings. He's right, I'm KIC's expert nap correspondent. Some of my favorite places to nap at Kings Island are on top of the Eiffel Tower (slow days only), tables in the shade by the fountains, bench by the main entrance by the park sign, grassy area in Planet Snoopy (least favorite because I hate screaming children), and, of course, the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad (my absolute favorite). I'd like to see you try that at NJFTP. Actually, that'd be better than at SFA! You might wake up shoeless. Or woise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malem Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 on top of the Eiffel Tower Do you lie down on the floor? Or do you just sit down? What is the tower operator's reaction to someone trying to sleep up there? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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