[uscbandfan]

^ I don't think that's "newsworthy". You'd get cut out and replaced with some terrified, uninformed rider.

I don't get why people are scared about coasters getting "stuck." What do they think happens? The track falls off? The train explodes? I just don't get why people fear getting stopped on a ride.

For me, it's not "scared" that the ride will suddenly explode or whatever. It's the fear that I'll be prevented from my park enjoyment for an untold amount of time to come. Now, with a coaster on a lift hill, they can get you out and you walk down no problem. Windseeker or Drop Zone (Tower) or even a situation where a coaster is actually "stuck" mid-ride like the Flying Ace last week is a different story. Waiting on the fire department for hours at a time is not something I would enjoy and the "fear" 'is having to wait hours on end for rescue.

[arby]

At least the Observer actually remembered what journalism is, and published something more substantial yesterday. Although the word "paramount" is a little awkward

Thanks for digging that up, Wormy. Since I bashed the local news media, I will also give kudos to the Observer. That is well written and factual. It is clear that they did act like true professional journalists regarding this topic. I'm almost tempted to subscribe to them....

Hmm, yeah, the word 'paramount' was awkward.

[tylerSC]

At least the Observer actually remembered what journalism is, and published something more substantial yesterday. Although the word "paramount" is a little awkward

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/b ... 63595.html

The park said that in all three cases, no riders were injured, and the rides stopped because sensors detected a glitch. Depending on which state a ride’s entrance and exit are located in, inspectors from either state perform annual inspections of the rides and can also perform unannounced inspections during the operating season.

Laresa Thompson, the park’s public relations manager, called the safety of guests and and employees “paramount” to Carowinds.

“Our rides have a sophisticated, computerized system that can cause ride stoppages as a precautionary measure. We realize at times this can be an inconvenience to our park patrons, but what’s important to remember is these rides perform as they are designed to do,” Thompson said in an email to the Observer.

Following the disruptions on the Windseeker and Flying Ace Aerial Chase, both in South Carolina, an inspector from the state’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation reinspected each, and both rides passed inspection, department spokeswoman Lesia Kudelka wrote in an email to the Observer.

Following the incident on Fury 325, which is in North Carolina, the state Labor Department’s Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau didn’t send an inspector. Neil O’Briant, the department’s spokesman, said Carowinds reports incidents even when it’s not required to.

“In this case, it didn’t meet the threshold for reporting requirements under the law,” O’Briant said. “Our understanding is that they replaced the part, tested the coaster and had it back in operation.”

Unlike whoever came up with these graphics. I hate to even give it clicks, but it deserves to be shamed.
http://www.wsoctv.com/videos/news/carow ... ow/vDPM2Z/

It should be noted that WSOC is the top rated Charlotte news station, but at times they tend to overhype and sensationalize their news reporting. Which reveals a bias towards "murder and mayhem," as they always send Chopprer 9 chasing after car wrecks. And "if it bleeds it leads" is not always an accurate account of the background events of a news story, but it is a ratings driven strategy rather than a focus on responsible journalism. As a personal choice, I normally view WBTV or WCNC newscasts, as I receive a more reliable signal at my location in Greenville, SC with an antenna. And WBTV has always been the original heritage station in Charlotte and has historically been held to a higher standard. And in this case, their news partner the Observer indeed provided more responsible reporting. And I still purchase the print newspaper down here in SC where it is still distributed, as I do not rely on social media for news. But I am over a certain age that can appreciate the difference.

[Capler]

My greatest fear is walking around the park with a refillable cup of Coke all day and then my coaster stops on the lift hill. I can see the bathroom from a distance but I just can't get to it. On Windseeker, it will be an April shower.

[LocalYokel]

The red light is still not flashing. This is unfortunate, I was planning to ride tomorrow morning.

[swampfox43]

It should be noted that WSOC is the top rated Charlotte news station, but at times they tend to overhype and sensationalize their news reporting. Which reveals a bias towards "murder and mayhem," as they always send Chopprer 9 chasing after car wrecks.

You know what WSOC stands for, right?
We
Show
Only
Crime

[Mountain3307]

Yup, this definitely is not what we need right now. I hope we are making a big deal out of nothing.

[cwgator]

The red light is still not flashing. This is unfortunate, I was planning to ride tomorrow morning.

It's flashing when I view the cam. The cam is however freezing from time to time. Perhaps it was frozen when you looked and it appeared it wasn't flashing.

[Mountain3307]

It was dark when I drove by it on 77 last night

[uscbandfan]

The red light is still not flashing. This is unfortunate, I was planning to ride tomorrow morning.

Red light? You mean the strobe/aircraft warning light? Why would that cause you not to ride? Maybe I'm missing something.

[jeffdavis]

They're testing now. I can only assume it will be in full operation all day.

[LocalYokel]

Something happened to Fury last night. The green lights and the red strobe were out. There were several vehicles near the station and people with flashlights visible on Camera1. I assume that was maintenance trying to get the power back on.

There was a post about this before I posted last night but I guess it was deleted. I can see how my prior post seems a bit odd without any context.

Hopefully everything is working now. I'm headed to the park soon.

[uscbandfan]

Something happened to Fury last night. The green lights and the red strobe were out. There were several vehicles near the station and people with flashlights visible on Camera1. I assume that was maintenance trying to get the power back on.

There was a post about this before I posted last night but I guess it was deleted. I can see how my prior post seems a bit odd without any context.

Hopefully everything is working now. I'm headed to the park soon.

Ahhh. Yes, context is always a good thing. I understand now. It is currently running. You're probably good. I plan on being there next Saturday for my daughter's school performance. Hope its working then. I will try to get first ride (or two) before the school does their thing, then I'm headed home. No way I want to be in the park on a Saturday afternoon.

[Jwrickner]

Just saw on the news that fury got stopped again today. Oh boy here comes the "It's not safe" comments all over Facebook.

[tarheel1231]

I have lost all faith in humanity.