Ride Operator Question

[Millennium310]

I'd like to start by saying I apologize if there's already been a discussion about this in the past. I'm 16 and I just got an interview to be a ride op. I couldn't be more excited as this has always been a personal ambition of mine, and I have always loved the atmosphere of any amusement park. Assuming I get the job, does anyone know what type of ride I can expect to be working on when I start out? Does age matter? Are there any rides that are strictly for more senior employees? And finally, do I have any say in what ride I work on? I would really appreciate feedback if anyone has experience, and I can't wait to finally be able to work at the park!

[DejaVu2001]

You could end up working on any ride in the park as soon as you start. None of the rides are strictly for more senior employees (even Goliath). You may have a say in what ride(s) you work, you might not. I'd say coming in midseason, you probably won't. They'll probably just put you where ever they're short.

[Nystagmus]

They'll probably just put you where ever they're short.

Ding, ding! We have a winner!

When I worked in rides (back in the 90's and 00's), they asked if we had a request, but it was only approved if they had an open position. Everyone was trained in kiddies first and then the ride/unit you were assigned. Eventually, they trained us in more rides in our section so we could cover any ride they needed.

[Millennium310]

Awesome! Thanks for the responses

[Dan The Coaster Man]

When I went to Kings Island earlier this year, there were NO lines. So I went in line for Invertigo and I met a really cool ride op (Nick) who was assigning rows. Well, his job was pointless, as every line was a walk on that day. So he commented on my shirt and then we started talking. I had ridden just about everything, so I decided to stick around with him and just talk coasters. Best talk I ever had coaster related EVER. I really enjoyed our talk, it was about 45 mins.

Anyways, one of the many topics we talked about was working at an amusement park, particularly Kings Island. And so I asked him how you are trained for rides and whatnot. So basically, trying to remember what he said, I can tell you this. You get trained to a certain extent where you are fully trained, and thus you may operate any ride in the park. However, sometimes you have a say in what ride, sometimes you don't. Either way, you need a little further training for that specific ride. So for Nick's situation, he started in rides at Planet Snoopy. Once he got his generic training, he had to get a few hours in for any ride he were to operate. Much training was taking place that day, as you saw ride ops with another next to them, listening and just learning. So Nick was eligible to operate at Invertigo, Camp Snoopy, Banshee, Adcenture Express, and a few other I can't remember. He said most of the time, you don't get to choose what rides you get trained for. He then talked about a fellow co-worker who was trying to "hide" from getting trained at Flight of Fear, but she was forced to anyways.

So yah just thought I'd give you that insight. Yes, that was for Kings Island / Cedar Fair, I'm sure things are different for SFGAm / Six Flags. And I might not be 100% correct, as it was a long time ago. But I tried to accurately say what he explained to me.

[Millennium310]

Cool story, thanks for posting! I'll probably end up inquiring further at the interview.