[Jambo]

I rode about 16 times and the ride never went down all day. What really made me mad was on my last ride of the day the train before me went out with 8 empty seats. The last 2 cars were empty cause the grouper could not load. I even said something to him about the last 2 cars and he said "Thanks, I know how to do my job". Clearly not.

That person got a personal complaint that day as well. But for his sake i will not mention his name here.

[PhantomCat]

I'm sorry he treated you like that.
That was highly classy of you not to mention his name. Trust me, if you complained, he will hear about it again. We have meetings all the time - to correct our wrong doings - and to receive our compliments and flags. If an associate needs to be pulled aside and dealt with, that happens as well.
Besides this incident, I know something positive happened to you in the park. It couldn't have been all bad all day long. After all, you revisited 1 ride 16 times.

Folks, your compliments go a long way.
Complain if you need to, but please don't forget to compliment us as well.

[PhantomCat]

Trains don't get filled for several reasons.
1. People are told to go to certain numbers, but some of them suddenly can't count when they get to the ride and wonder off to unassigned seats.
2. Guest with big thighs, who didn't see the tester seat at the entrance or who are embarrassed to sit in it after it has been pointed out to them, have to then brave everyone looking at them exit the station because their restraint would not lock, leaving empty seats behind.
3. Many times, the friends of the people too large for the seat will also exit with them, leaving even more empty seats.
4. Groups who go up the single line, thinking they are riding together, get split up, don't like it, and still team up and ride together anyway, throwing the seat organization off.
5. People who create confusion with the ride associate by continuously requesting a certain seat after they've been told it's impossible to fill everyone's request, but guest still stand there asking over and over, which holds up the line and the ride attendant can't get every seat filled for each train.

We are truly sorry for disappointing you while you waited in line and witnessed empty seats but now you have new insights that will help you have more patience next time.

What I requested during training, along with a few other coworkers, is to allow our guest to sit where they want. "Nope, that is not Carowinds' procedure," was the reply. In order to allow free seating they have to take away the Single Rider Line. If they take away the Single Rider Line every seat will not be filled on each train, which is the main goal of having the Single Rider Line in the first place - catch 22.

[Chris]

5. People who create confusion with the ride associate by continuously requesting a certain seat after they've been told it's impossible to fill everyone's request, but guest still stand there asking over and over, which holds up the line and the ride attendant can't get every seat filled for each train.

My bad, Anthony. I appreciate the front, though.

[KDrideop]

If you're at the park and an operator screws up, keep in mind that they are human, they make mistakes.Put yourself in their shoes for minute, they deal with 1000s of guests in a single day, an occasional error will be made, and PLEASE do not call out an operator for a mistake that they've, that is NOT your job, let their supervisor/manager deal with it.

[PhantomCat]

A M E N KDrideop!
And if it's something very petty that won't mess up your day or your life, please drop it. Some of the complaints are so silly.
"They're letting singles go before us when we're in the regular line."
Are we never supposed to allow singles to ride? They're going to be called before somebody in the regular line, all day long.

If people only knew half of the bull we put up with, they wouldn't be so petty.
But where there is bull, there are also the guest who make us feel really great. I can't forget the group who started coming at he beginning of the season when I was on The Intimidator and they nicknamed me Intimidator Guy for whatever their reasons. They know I'm not there anymore, yet, wherever they see me in the park they greet me with "Hey, Intimidator Guy!" I think this is so cute and so funny. It makes me laugh. They are people who wait in line, will talk to you if you're friendly with them, they aren't looking for trouble or trying to cause any, they ride the ride and go on their way.

It's so easy to focus on a negative and blow it up. Guest Services, right now, has more complaints than compliments and we're not even halfway through the season. Can we please have more people to appreciate us and tell us what we're doing right? Please remember to compliment Carowinds' employees.

[PhantomCat]

Welcome to the board KDrideop!

Are you going through the same things at KD? What rides do you works on? Will you be coming to Carowinds soon?
I worked at KD in 1998 on Flight of Terror.

[KDrideop]

I work at the White Water Canyon, its a fun ride to work at,KD is great so far this year, we start our daily operation today, can't wait for that.I've been to a lot of the Cedar Fair parks except for Carowinds, I'll be making my way down there on June 14th, I cant wait to try out Intimidator and Afterburn. So I assume you work at Carowinds, its gotta be a step up from working Flight of Fear back in '98,hopefully you've regained your hearing by now

[PhantomCat]

LOL! It is sort of loud over there.
I thought more coasters would have the 0 to 60, sling-coaster technology like on Flight of Fear and The Volcano but but the tech seems to have come and went... I love your Kongo area!

It was during Paramount's reign when King's Dominion worked 2 more full weeks beyond Carowinds and KD needed workers because theirs were quiting - going back to school and wherever. Carowinds and Kings Island employees went up and worked those two weeks. We were put up for free in the nearby motel - whats the name of it? - within walking distance to the park. King's Dominion feed us breakfast and lunch, and pretty much took care of us while there. That was the first year for The Volcano coaster and all employees were allowed to ride it that first Tuesday night after the park closed. We also enjoyed free popcorn and drinks. They told me there were 3 hour lines for Flight of Fear when it opened in 1997 but the 3 hour waits that year (1998) were at The Volcano. The only stipulation Carowinds had was that we also work weekends at our own park when we returned from King's Dominion.

That "picking a room mate" stuff was not enjoyable for some. One coworker could only go to sleep with the TV on full blast. I was so glad I didn't room up with him. No one knew that about him till we were up there, trying to sleep. My rommie and me worked out just fine the whole 2 week period. We teamed up because we had worked together on the Rip Roarin' Rapids.

Look for me when you visit, in the Planet Snoopy area on Woodstock Gliders, Joe Cool Driving School, or Snoopy's Yacht Club. I'm Anthony, your friendly neighborhood, singing ride op.

[Blue Moon]

I didn't think the LIM technology was being used much anymore on new rides.. like what FOF and Volcano use. Hydraulic Intamins seem to be the popular thing. But upon checking rcdb.com I found that Premier did actually have a ride open this past March with LIMs. http://rcdb.com/4327.htm

[PhantomCat]

Hi Blue,
It's sad that not too many places are using it anymore. I think it's the hottest thing going for parks everywhere. What do the initials stand for anyway?

[Lil_Gump]

LIM stands for Linear Induction Motor.

[PhantomCat]

Thank You & Congratulations to all Carowinds lovers!!!

Your park has already gained more compliments than it did the entire 2009 season.
Please keep complimenting the park associates who impress you the most. It is working.

Thank You & Congratulations!!!

[PhantomCat]

Ya'll done it again!
Last month, the park received over 800 compliments!
This is really incredible.
Thank you so much everyone.
Please keep'em coming in!

[TrojanCamMan]

I noticed that the AfterBurn crew are telling people to actually go to Guest Services and tell them the good job they were doing... Seemed kinda unprofessional.