I’m for sure in the minority here, but I understand this policy completely. I was at KI a few days ago, and I can’t even tell you how many phones I saw out on coasters.It was at least four I’d say, and I rode every coaster once except Mystic Timbers twice. Operators didn’t even try to take loose items at all (hats, cross body bags, flip flops on rides without a floor, etc.) Trains left the station while guests had phones out in their hands. Now imagine this being the case on a ride as intense as SV. They would be completely gone. And yes, you can argue that you have your cargo shorts, however explaining that logic to a guest is impossible. They won’t understand that it isn’t secure if it’s in a regular/back pocket. A blanket policy is always the easiest way to go.
On Voyage at HW, I see at least one phone disappear from a pocket every day. Part of it is also that guests will absolutely pull phones out of their pocket once the train leaves the station/clears the lift. The sad thing is, people will lie.
Keep in mind that this policy didn’t come around until mid-season. This means that they had issues with it, so they had to react to fix the problem.
It’s 110% a safety issue, and I’ll argue that until the day I die. I’m happy a CF park is finally strictly enforcing loose items, and I don’t mind to pay the $2 if it means the safety of my phone, and the safety of others around me.