Locker policies/comments

[Bob O]

As for keeping loose items off the rides, this policy stops people from storing bigger items in what use to be a free bin. This does NOTHING at all about the idiots who will bring cellphones/small camera's on the ride, and then use these items on the ride with the possiblty they will be dropped and someone could be hurt. Or that by accident someone will have his car keys/money(coins)/glasses will fall out of a pocket.

Im sure that someone from SF's had a brainstorm and thought this up, but of course when bright idea's come from a company as ineptly run as SF its not surprising that the policy would be family unfriendly and likely hurt the bottom line when they are trying to change there image and gain more revenue.

[tsalas08]

^but they are brining MUCH less into the station and thats a positive. Again, I strongly believe that they found somthing in this program when they trial-ran it or they wouldnt have ran it company wide. Their not the first company to do so. And you cant do anything about the idiot who pulls that stuff out mid ride other than kick 'em out. At least they are offering these lockers at every ride that requires them instead of making guests rent a full day locker somewhere else, while still offering the option for either.

[CoasterDude12-2]

To tsalas08, From what I saw on Sunday, the park is running less efficient. There are 2 extra employees for the lockers who make sure you don't have contraband entering the line. Assuming they get paid minimum wage, that's $15 bucks an hour for each ride. This might be worth it for the "efficiency" from the inside, but all it does is annoy people who bought the stuff to begin with. Are you really going to buy something, or win something, if you have to PAY each time your ride a rollercoaster. I won't, I haven't, and shame on anyone who does. Sunday's ride ops were terrible, which shouldn't be because there was almost no one. So, if the ride ops suck, there's no point to having lockers because any so-called "efficiency" isn't on people bringing things, its lack of proper ride-op training. So, instead of making a "family-friendly" park too expensive to take families, spend the money the lockers will cost on more employee training.


Or maybe that's not it at all. If you assume a conservative 5000 people will ride Bull each day, and 20% of them buy a $1 locker, that's $1000 a day, for May, June, July, August, September, and October, or around 100 days. $100,000+ is the revenue SF is getting, on Bull alone. No way are the lockers going to cost that. They are making money on this, plain and simple. The only reason they're doing this is for money. The $15 per hour between the two employees equals $15,000 at the end of the year. Again, even with the lockers, still a profit.

[guitarhero119]

The greeters/locker guards I saw at the park on SAT, werent checking any one for height requirements, and I didnt receive any greeting before riding any ride that had lockers, they were only on the lookout for items that had to be stored in the lockers, and every ride I went on with a locker had at least 2 people in front with regular SF shirts.

Ok so because you didn't see it it didn't happen. You cannot possibly judge a system on one day especially opening day where the crowds are nil. Wait until the summer to see how this works because judgment cant be passed on this yet.

If SF isnt trying to turn a profit on these lockers, which I agree they wont, then what is the reason. If it is to increase ride capacity, then it surely wont work, and will piss off far more guests than those who will find this to be a good idea.Why dont they ban flip flpos, as these shoes will cause longer delays than time saved by putting items in lockers. I hope this results in people spending less money in the park on items they would then have to store in these lockers,

How can you say that it absolutely will not speed up dispatch times? I have heard a few people say that superman was running like clockwork all of last weekend so clearly there appears to be some merit to the system. Just because there is still a flip flop issue doesn't mean the system doesn't work. You have to think that now its only flip flops where as before it would be flip flops, sunglasses, prizes from games etc. This in theory seems to be a good system, and if you don't want to pay the money then don't bring things in line with you. Simple as that.

[tp41190]

I think Superman was dispatching fast, due to the crew, not the lockers. Say they didnt have the lockers, a good crew would still be able to dispatch about the same time as with the lockers. You have to wait a certain amount of time anyway due to the safety blocks. And that time can be used to put loose articles in the bins, then the rest of the time is loading the train. There were days when Raging Bull would stack 3 trains and it wasnt because of loose articles, it was due to kids no being tall enough or people not fitting on the ride. Weather 1 person had a problem or 5 people...its going to be the same amount of time for the delay.

And if the people by the lockers arent checking height or size, thats not going to solve all the problems.

Also, if you changing a policy that will piss people off...they should at least say "hi, enjoy your ride" so that at least the policy looks somewhat good.

[rct2wizard360]

You know, the more I read this, the more I see how stupid some of these comments are.

Now you see, Six Flags is a buisness. Buisness's make money.
Six Flags happens to be a buisness in debt.
They need to make money.

Seriously, if you all hate this policy so much.
It's simple, don't bring loose articles.

[Bob O]

A well run business will not make more money by upsetting alot of there customers, and then making them pay for something that was once free. And hopefully this will cause poeple to play less carny games since they will behave to pay to store there prizes or walk out the there car to lock it up. And that will also result in less money for the park.
If this was done for safety/speed up dispatch times, then this would be the POLICY on every ride!!!!
It seems to me this is being done on the more popular rides where it will be easier to FORCE guests to cough up a buck every time they want to ride. If this system is so great then why it isnt it used on Whizzer/Viper????

[Chitown]

^You just contradicted yourself.

First you say they blatantly put these lockers only on the popular rides, then you question why Whizzer and Viper don't have them.

Bob. I truly don't understand why you even bother going to the park. All they seem to do is piss you off.

Not everyone thinks like you so not everyone is going to get bent out of shape with this new system.

[yamcha]

we just payed 9.00 in South west for all day and it was good a lot better then paying 1.00 for every ride.

[Bob O]

I guess the park doesnt consider Whizzer/Viper to be as popular as the rides that they installed the lockers on. Or another guess would be that more families ride those two rides so they arent trying to upset the families as much.

I go to the park because I love roller coasters. SFGAM has a great amount of potential, sadly with how the parent company is run its not being met. The best thing for SFGAM would be for the company to go bankrupt and for it to be bought up by a different company not in debt like SF is or be run as a stand alone

Not everyone thinks like me, that is certain, but my guess is before the year is out you will have a large numbers of guests complaining to park management about the lockers and hopefully they will show there displeasure by spending less money in the parks.

As for me, the locker policy upsets me because it serves no useful purpose, but it wont effect me as I wont bring anything into the park that I would put in a locker.

[coaster_dude14]

And where do you leave your sandals?

[DejaVu2001]

^ Raging Bull, Batman, and Superman have a bin for shoes. Emphasis on shoes only. Right now, these are just plastic bins. They will soon be replaced with shoe-sized cubbies.

[bork]

If you seriously all hate these lockers so much then DON'T bring anything into the park. Plain and simple.

Ok, I'll leave my son's benedril and epi-pen in the car. Then he can die from an allergic reaction to food. Yet another stupid change to make the park less family friendly.

[viper1988]

If you seriously all hate these lockers so much then DON'T bring anything into the park. Plain and simple.

Ok, I'll leave my son's benedril and epi-pen in the car. Then he can die from an allergic reaction to food. Yet another stupid change to make the park less family friendly.

Hey before you go and get mad, why not just check the Park Policy's on the website and see if there are any exceptions.

http://www.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/info/policies.aspx

Cell phones, pagers, or other small items must be secured in cargo pockets, zippered jacket pockets, or waist packs.

Just bring a fanny/waist pack and you can bring you sons Epi-pen in the queue.

[batcave]

Our friends at the local Cedar Fair in Ohio, have been doing the same thing for years, and nobody seems to complain about them.

[Luxornv]

It all depends on how strictly the loose article policy is enforced. If an over-zealous park employee is going to make me lock up the few things I have on me (glasses, camera which I don't use ON the ride, wallet, and keys), then I'm going to be really angry about it. This policy is aimed at the people who have large items like the prizes from the carnival games and souvenirs from the gift shops. These people always have to get on, take their stuff to the other side of the platform, then walk back, get on and buckle up. Lockers really aren't bad, and I don't like carrying stuff with me through the park anyway. No one has said anything of them being too strict about the loose article policy, so therefore it seems ok. I'll judge this for myself though when I'm finally able to get to the park.

[coaster_dude14]

On what rides are the lockers at? Also how much is the charge?

[DejaVu2001]

^ Raging Bull, American Eagle, Iron Wolf, Batman: The Ride, The Dark Knight Coaster, and Superman: Ultimate Flight. The charge is $1.00 for 120 minutes (2 hours).

[coaster_dude14]

^thanks

[BrianPlencner]

As others have said, if you put your loose stuff in pockets with zippers, or in a fanny pack, you will be fine.

I've been to the park 2 times so far, and have not had a problem going on any of the rides with the lockers. I have a fanny pack, and put the following things in it: Keys, Wallet, Cell Phone (Blackberry with a qwerty keyboard to be exact), Camera, and extra batteries.

No one has said a word to me about the fanny pack or the items in it (except of course, when I go into the park and security has to inspect it). So, if you have things that are small like medication, wear a fanny pack and put everything in there. You'll be fine.

Unless I'm mistaken, the policy was never stated like this: "You can only ride if all you have is the clothes on your back, with empty pockets."

--Brian

[tsalas08]

I always have my eyeglasses folded with the sides that hold them up in my palm while holding the restraint and NO ride op has ever told me I couldn't ride with them.

[kumba830]

seriously the lockers are just another way for them to make money. they didn't need them those bins on the side of the loading platform were fine! NICE MOVE SIX FLAGS!

[coastercrazy]

In my opinion the lockers are a fine Idea. Personally I don't like being hit by some idiot horseing around in line with there suvinere basketball. If you have a need to have medication with you there are ways of doing so with in this policy. The only problem I see is with the suvinere cups. When the cues are long you should be able to carry the beverage that you just paid 8 dollars for with you. With those two exceptions what else do you really need in a cue?

[tp41190]

I found that I am able to hide my phanny pack under my shirt when I walk by the lockers.

So I would just wear a phanny pack when you go to the park if you have a lot of little stuff. And it doesnt effect the restraint or have a risk of flying off.

[SixFlagsGuy76]

^^You don't have to hide your fanny pack! The workers told me they are allowed in line.