First of all, I am not going to identify the location or the carnival. If you're clever, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out, but I'm not going to come out and say it. I'm not posting this to point fingers.
On the one hand, he's doing everything right. He's actually paying attention to the ride and to the riders. He looks like he's enjoying himself. He's being very careful. Yes, he's sending each train around twice, but he's also making sure nobody wants off before he sends the train the second time. When he pushes the train he does so from a safe position on the platform. He's checking lap bars. He's monitoring rider behavior. He's actively involved with running the ride. He's got a personality that makes his riders pay attention to him. Based on those attributes, carnival operators and amusement parks would like all their employees to be like this guy.
On the other hand, for all his enthusiasm, is he encouraging riders to not take the ride seriously? Is it a problem that he's yelling at his riders to keep their hands up? Perhaps there's nothing wrong with that...but did you see him slap hands with all the kids on the train as it went by? Is he instilling bad habits into the next generation of coaster riders with that hand slapping? But then, he's not doing anything that is inherently unsafe to the riders, and he isn't encouraging anything that will actually cause problems. So perhaps there isn't anything at all wrong with his actions relative to the riders.
But what about his regard for his own safety? He's responsible for operating that ride. Okay, so he's staying within reach of the control console at all times, and most of the time there isn't anything he can do with the controls anyway. But should he be jumping up on the handrails like that? Even worse, when he climbed up there, am I the only person who noticed that he grabbed the track rail...with the train uptrack of his position? What happens on the Wacky Worm if the operator gets his hand crushed by the train, or if he falls off the platform in the middle of the cycle? I notice he's careful to stay clear of the train, and every time I saw him he was doing just fine. Either because he's careful or because he's lucky, or a little of both, he managed to get through the whole day without getting himself hurt or killed. So maybe it's okay?
What do you think? Is this the kind of person you'd want on your show? Why or why not?
(February 19, 2001)
This
page has been up for just over two and a half years, and just this morning I
received a comment about it.
Phillip Harris watched the video, and wrote...
I agree with you. Though the carnival would appreciate this employee's enthusiasm, he is crossing the safety line. Especially with the hand on the track business. Simply put, the platforms are made to stand on, and the structural members are not. This goes for the personel of the park too (or maybe ESPECIALLY). If I were a parent there, I would be concerned. What kid would feel good about riding another if he/she witnessed the worst outcome of this employee's carelessness? Also, children love monkey bars and could get the wrong idea.
I have always loved roller coasters, but as we know, those rules are there for a reason.
Thanks, Phillip!
I'll add your comments to this page as well if you'll just email them to me.
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Created
February 19, 2001
Last
Updated September 2, 2003