JEAPUgrad

But that's what makes the show so funny. Sue's lines last night was so absolutely freakin' funny. I thought I was going to piss myself laughing so hard.

If this is the case, then why did SFI place on of their top Park Presidents who spend nine years at Great Adventure through all their major additions this decade and several years prior to that at Great America? I just don't believe that they don't care about this park. All these years now there have been the rumors that SFA was up for sale. IMO if the park was really up for sale, they would've sold it by now like they did with Six Flags World of Adventure (Geauga Lake), Elitch Gardens, and Darien Lake. I'll agree that the land the park sits on is a very valuable piece of property. Just look at some of the homes that have gone up around the perimeter of the park. They're monsters. SFA has finally been given the "go-ahead" to demolish the old farm house back behind Wild One. While I'm not exactly sure what kind of historical preservation the house had, the park has argued for years that it makes no sense to keep the house on the park's property is no one is going to perform upkeep on the house and refurbish it. Agreed. What was your expectation to have this situation fixed? Working as a Guest Services Manager for a hotel chain, I can tell you that we figure 1% of guests go out of their way to complain in order to receive "free" items. Sounds like you might be one of the 1%. I had a billing issue with SFA that I've posted on here before from last winter during one of their online season pass sales. The purchase price and what they charged my credit card was different by about $15. I wrote a letter and received a letter of apology back. John Winkler, the new Park President called me a week later to make sure I received the letter or apology and told me while he couldn't personally refund me the $15 difference, he overly compensated me with park perks to make the situation right. We had a pretty long conversation about the future of SFA. I really think many of SFA's problems over the past several years has been an attitude of indifference in leadership roles in the park. Now that many of those managers are no longer working for the park, there is a new team in place that has made several positive changes to the park. At some point you have to cut your losses. Iron Eagle, Two Face, Krypton Comet (Chaos), and the Sky Escaper (Enterprise) all were maintenance nightmares. The rising cost of performing preventative maintenance on these rides is why they were removed. I agreed that the dry side of the park needs some TLC. I think they need to add some new flats. Our coaster is coming in 2011. Just be patient. SFA received a lot of rides in a short period of time. 1994- Shipwreck Falls 1995- Mind Eraser 1996- Paradise Island Make-over / Tower of Doom 1997- Typhoon Seacoaster / Wild One retracking 1998- Roar 1999- Two Face / Joker's Jinx / The Great Chase / Looney Tunes Movie Town / Six Flags branding 2000- Superman 2001- Batwing / Avalanche (Alpine Bobs) / Krypton Comet (Chaos) 2002- Peguin's Blizzard River Not many parks except for maybe SFMM and Cedar Point add five coasters over a six year period of time. SFA was due for a little down time between the adding of new attractions. I just didn't think it would take this long. Some of the surrounding neighborhoods pre-date the park. Not all of them, some. It's a valid arguement. The height restriction has nothing to do with the District of Columbia. DC has a height restriction that nothing can be taller than the United States Capitol building, which I think is 325 feet. There was a big controversary a few years ago because a communications company wanted to install a massive tower that would've improved cell phone service, radio signals, and all that kind of stuff about three blocks from the Maryland State line out Wisconsin Avenue. Ultimately the tower could not go as far up as they wanted because of that height restriction. How many amusement park attractions go above 325'? Not very many. The imposed height restriction of 200' is enforced because of Andrew Air Force Base. I disagree whole heartidly. The trend over the past few years in the industry has been capturing the families. Bringing the families back to the park? Why so much attention to families? Because they are going to spend money. Back in the late 1990's / early 2000's when SFI was buying coasters in bulk and placing them in the parks, simply put, SFI wasn't receiving a return on their investment. The parks were filled with tweens and teenagers that their parents would drop them off at the park for a day. This is one of the many reasons why they were in debt over $2 billion and eventually filed bankruptcy. The tweens and teens didn't have disposable incomes to spend on food, beverage, merchandise, games, etc. Families do. It's all about the Benjamins my friend.

While doing some job searching this morning, I came across this interesting position on careerbuilder.com Job Snapshot Location: Largo, MD 20775 Employee Type: Full-Time Industry: Entertainment Manages Others: No Job Type: Human Resources Training Experience: At least 3 year(s) Post Date: 10/12/2009 Description Training & Development Manager About us: Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company with 21 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Founded in 1961, Six Flags has provided world class entertainment for millions of families with cutting edge, record-shattering roller coasters and appointment programming with events like the popular Thursday and Sunday Night Concert Series. Now 47 years strong, Six Flags is recognized as the preeminent thrill innovator while reaching to all demographics -- families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike -- with themed attractions based on the Looney Tunes characters, the Justice League of America, skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE: SIX) headquartered in New York City. Description of Training & Development Manager: Summary of Job: * Responsible for the implementation of training objectives for Six Flags America. * Position will ensure that systems of initial and ongoing training programs are in place and consistently executed across all employees. * This will involve training development, delivery, and assessment of program effectiveness. * In addition, position will assist in evaluating and improving delivery of the guest experience by conducting Quality Assurance audits. Key Duties And Responsibilities: * Partner with Corporate Training and Development to create and implement a comprehensive training program within guidelines focused on delivery of a superior guest experience and operational excellence. * Collaborate with park and department leadership in developing guest service training for all employees. * Develop and deliver service-oriented training for all employees to enhance the guest experience. * Collaborate with departments to create departmental training content and ensure effective deployment of initial and ongoing classroom instruction and OJT. * Train Supervisors on critical management and leadership skills. * Conduct or facilitate Train the Trainer programs for department personnel. * Ensure full training curriculum is consistently delivered to all employees as defined. * Interface frequently with department trainers and Training Supervisors across parks to share best practices and maximize the effectiveness of the training programs. * Track and analyze relevant statistical employment information to evaluate training effectiveness and identify opportunities to continuously improve training efforts. * Spearhead process improvement efforts and measurements. * Conduct Quality Assurance Audits to evaluate team member and department delivery of the guest experience. Present of audit results to Park Management team. * Ensure Team Member evaluations occur as scheduled including tracking and appropriate follow-through. All other duties as deemed necessary by Senior Management. Organizational Relationship: * Reports to the Director of Administration Requirements Training & Development Manager Requirements of Training & Development Manager: Skills And Qualifications: * 3+ years supervisory or managerial experience preferred. * 3+ years training experience (developing programs and facilitating large groups) preferred. * Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated ability to teach a group new concepts or processes. * Must be professional, energetic, self-motivated, able to motivate others, and have a positive attitude. * Strong teamwork skills and ability to work productively across various departments. * Strong work ethic with the ability to work well under pressure and multi-task. * Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Products. * Flexible schedule required including nights, weekends, and holidays. * Valid Driver's License. Interested candidates should submit their resume no later than Friday October 16th to: Six Flags America Attn: Cutter Matlock 13710 Central Avenue Mitchellville, MD 20721 Fax 301-249-8853 [Click Here to Email Your Resumé] Six Flags is a Drug Free and Equal Opportunity Employer Looks like they are looking to take their guest service to the next level. Yay SFA.

^This isn't SFAfans and there are many topics being discussed within this one thread. There aren't many threads talking about SFA. This is the SFA thread.

Not working in retail but working as a Front Desk Agent for a hotel, the best story I have was from the morning after a wedding. An older woman, had to be about 80 years old, came to the FD and complained about noise from the room next to hers. Turns out the room next to her was the Presidential Suite where the Bride and Groom "slept". She started out by going into explicit detail word for word repeating what the Bride was screaming.... "Oh Derrick, stop, stop, stop, I'm not that flexible." She continued with Derrick's quotes "Yea you're a dirty girl, suck my *bleep* (penis). You're going to take it all and you're going to like it." By this point I was laughing my ass off, literally, on the floor, struggling to breath because she was so frank about the dirty talk. She would go on to say "F~ even in my heyday, I couldn't f~ like that. They went at it all night long. They weren't making babies, they were f-ing like the world was about to end."

^Of course you're entitled to your opinion, and while I agree with you, remember that saying 'opinions are like buttholes and both of yours stink!" Couldn't resist. I get tired of being told I'm wrong by people who have no clue about the relationships I have with various people in the industry, particularly at SFA. I've been invited to their Holiday party for year round employees held in Annapolis in the past and I've never worked there a day in my life!

^ $320 gets me 13 games, two seats, for the price of nine games at Oriole Park. Not to mention a long list of other perks like free tickets to concerts, free Oriole's Minor League games, one free t-shirt per seat, opportunities to purchase tickets for 2 of the 3 potential post-season series if they ever get back to the play-offs, discounted tickets for the Home Opener, free admission to several museums like the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Legends Museum, free ballpark tours year round, a season plan holder only Q&A session with VP or Baseball Operations Andy McPhail and Manager Dave Trembley, free scoreboard surprises (birthdays/anniversaries etc.), discounted parking opportunities, early admission to the ballpark for exclusive batting practice time and autographs, and the best ticket exchange program in the Major Leagues. I also get the "season ticket" rate on all games including Prime games outside of my 13 game plan. The view from my seats isn't too bad either. Have a look. Oh and one last thing...since I'm on an Orioles kick right now, enjoy this Earl Weaver video recording of a broadcast that never aired. It contains some strong language and is not safe for work. Be sure to listen to question number three from Alice Sweet in Norfolk. You'll be laughing so hard you'll have tears coming out of your eyes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YKxf3OkpJc Section 334 - Upper Deck

I'm telling you for a FACT that Batwing replaced the proposed Stand up on the Master Plan per a conversation I had with former Park President Janet Porter. Yes, the length was something like 3000' and 140' tall which was purely a "cover our a$$" measure. The park over compensates in height during the permitting process because of all the term oil they faced when they applied to build Superman. Does this mean that Chang isn't coming to SFA? Not necessarily. Since the last public release of the Master Plan, which was about ten years ago, nothing else has come out since. Over the course of a decade, things change. Plans change. Did the Master Plan include all the upgrades to Hurricane Harbor over the past ten years? No. Why can't you let go of this?

15/20 I got the international questions wrong. I have never been on a coaster outside of the US.

I wouldn't put Roar (SFA) worse than Hurler. I'd put Roar above Hurler but no far from it. Hurler is rough from the moment you leave the lift. Roar doesn't get bad until after the first fan turn.

^I know but since he listed two of my three worst, I'm taking my chances.

Dude, not to be rude but Python closed when you were four years old by the math under your screen name. If you're really an adult posing to be a 15 year old boy on a site that has a good number of young men on the site than that is really creepy and that's coming from a gay man. Happy National Coming Out Day.

Flying Turns with a potential December opening is what a friend heard last night at the event. I didn't go this year because PPP has really become too big over the recent years and not a real enthusiast love fest like it was for a while. I was told that Knoebels added a couple more weekends to their operating schedule due to the massive popularity with PPP. I heard it was like "old" times.

That second pic just made me pee my pants a little.

I just posted a min-TR as a new thread is anyone cares to read.

^Awesome. I owe you a beer if our pathes ever cross.

Praying for 50 points or more in the MNF game.

I was at the park tonight for about an hour. I took a batted ball directly square on my big toe today on the ballfield and was still in a little pain. Overall I think this year's attention to detail with the halloween decorations is the best it's ever been. The place looked great. I don't remember ever seeing them use theatrical lighting gels to reduce to amount of white light in the park. I only rode Roar, JJ, and Wild One. Roar had great off in the last row coming off the lift and after that the ride sucked. The whole train shuffles from side to side for the rest of the course. JJ looked (and felt) like it was lagging in speed. The first three inversions felt like we were barely making it through them. Nor normal for JJ. Two good rides. I was stuck on the ride because my lap bar wouldn't unlatch. The ride op had no idea I wanted to get off. I was trying to get her attention but she didn't see me. When she came back to check, I told her I couldn't get out. She asked me if I'd like to stay on and I really didn't want to ride again but didn't want to be "that guy" that holds up the train. Decent ride despite lack of speed. Over to Wild One and the fast pass line was closed but the ride op insisted they sent out full trains and took volunteers for the last car to move one or two rows up. The ride ops in all three stations were overly friendly (they had to be on crack), fast, hustled down the train like they do at Cedar Point when the ops race, and looked like they were actually having fun working at Six Flags America. Shock doesn't begin to describe. I really hope they can continue this when the families come back to Thomas Town next year. Wild One, as always, provided an excellent ride. This in my opinion is the one of the most under rated coasters in the world. It's not the tallest, it's not the fasted, it doesn't look like it's 92 years old and rides very well, is smooth but not to the point where you lose the "out of control feel", is loaded with ejector air, and has one of the best finishes with that wicked helix. Great ride. As someone posted one of the three sites I post on, they said there were markings on the gravel lot between Joker's Jinx and Wild One and I can confirm this. There weren't many but they were on the south side of the lot near Skull Mountain's final drop lift supports. You couldn't see them from the ground but once your up on JJ you can see them. You can also see them on while sitting on the brakes on JJ. Other things of note: I didn't ride SROS. I had to take the walk of shame on my last visit to the park. I sat in the test seat and there was about six inches between the seat belt metal piece and that airplane style buckle. Last time when I took the walk, I was mere millimeters close to riding as the metal piece was in the buckle and I just needed that last little mmmph. I turned to the girl with the measuring stick and asked her if they shortened the seat belts (I've lost 15 pounds since my last visit in July) and she said before FrightFest kicked off a couple of weeks ago. I walked away in disgust. The crowd was pretty substantial thanks to a cheer leading competition. Everything was running two trains that I know of. I can't confirm this on Batwing because I didn't want to walk all that way for a headache. Batwing always gives me headaches. Roar and JJ were one to two train waits and Wild One was several trains wait, maybe ten to fifteen minutes. It wasn't bad. I guess waiting isn't as bad when the you see the crew hustling and enjoying their jobs. Two Face is still on site. As we entered the helix on Wild One, I thought I saw a glimpse of orange through the trees but didn't notice anything exiting the helix. While sitting on the brake run, I looked over my shoulder and saw orange track and blue lift support sitting in the backstage area. For a coaster that was allegedly sold months ago, its still sitting on site. They've installed a video board over by the first aid / Dippin Dots area down the right side of Main Street coming from the entrance. If its been there awhile than that's how long its been since my last visit. Everything was open including all wet rides on the non-Hurricane Harbor side of the park. Many structures and other objects like poles, railings, lamp posts were repainted and it stands out. I'm not use to seeing such vibrant colors at SFA.

I don't know if I'd put anybody above Unitas just yet. But that's the hometown bias talking. Peyton will be better than Unitas by the end of his career. Even though he broke that Colts record (which is complete bullsh*t) I don't think he's better than Unitas. GO RAVENS!!!!

Gleek? Never heard that term before. I guess I'm a Gleek. Hey since they did mash ups on the show this past week, can anyone recommend any good non-Glee mash ups? Here's one that's randomly playing on my Youtube account.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMMMLLZp-1w

I've lived in the Baltimore/Annapolis/DC region my entire life. As already mentioned, SFA could be done in just a couple of hours if coasters are the only thing you're interested in. I'm not a waterpark guy myself so I rarely go into Hurricane Harbor. King's Dominion is easily a one day park during the week. On the weekends, it's a little busy. I wouldn't say that you would need two days but I've never tried to do it all on a Saturday or Sunday there either. With KD, make a game plan. I'd read trip reports before your trip to see what kind of impact I305 has on the GP as far as lines. Pre-Dominator everyone would run to Volcano and go clockwise around the park. I'd go counter clock wise and hit Volcano just after lunch. Now that Dominator is at KD, that's the first ride everyone runs to. Volcano is a walk on for the first hour of the park's operation now and I think that is the best kept secret for the park! Multiple re-rides as long as you get there early. But I'm not sure what I305 will do to this dynamic and how people move about the park. DC depends on how much you want to accomplish. There are many bus / trolley tours that will take you to all the major monuments, historical sites, etc. I would highly recommend hitting the FDR and the Korean monuments at night. I think both of these monuments have so much more ambiance at night than they do in the day light. I'm not a big Smithsonian guy myself. I haven't done Air and Space (DC) for several years. I didn't know there was one out at Dulles either! The American History Museum just wrapped up a three year renovation last year and it's a really nice museum. Seeing that you are coming for overseas, not sure how much interest you'd have in this. There is quite a bit of pop culture at AHM. Old Town is a great side trip. I'd also recommend hitting Historic Annapolis which is just 15 miles east of SFA. Historic Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy and is the capital of the State of Maryland. The Maryland State Capitol Building is the oldest state house still in legislative use. Atop the building is a beautiful black and white dome. Historic Annapolis also has cobblestone streets, many terrific seafood restaurants, and a thriving scene for local music. Baltimore is a 45 minute train trip to the north. Lots of history there too and there is the famed Inner Harbor. If you have any other questions that you'd like answered about the area and what not, feel free to hit me up on email at bnmlover@yahoo.com .

You will pay!!! Here's my list: BEST The Voyage - duh El Toro - duh again Wild One - SFA - the flat helix is always awesome no matter how WO runs Montu Twister- Knoebels WORST Volcano: TBC - "We have an 80 foot drop into a brake run because we couldn't figure out how to better utilize the space" Python - SFA - You needed oxygen after climbing the 5 flights of stairs going up and you needed a bottle of aspirin for the walk going down. I've thought about throwing myself off the side of the coaster after riding this coaster. Maybe not the worst in the true spirit of the thread but that did suck royally. Chance Toboggans - the bunny hops from hell...if being tossed around in a small cage and doing face plants against the roof of the car is your idea of fun than have at it.

I'll agree that I like that FOF models indoors over the outside Joker's Jinx/Mad Cobras/Poltergeists of the world but enclosing JJ at this point in time does not make any sense. There is another park 90 miles down the interstate with practically the same attraction. Back when JJ was first announced, there were several special effects listed in the press release that were eventually scrapped and I really don't want to give SFA a second chance to do this. Not to mention the cost to build a building to surround the coaster. I think they could spend what cash that they have to build while going through the reorganization a little better. Don't you? Some have said that there is not a water line that runs out that far. The relevance if this is true? PG County requires sprinkler systems and emergency exits for all publicly enclosed spaces. Personally I don't believe that there isn't a water line that runs out to that part of Gotham City because there are a couple of food stalls and they are required to have running water in order to operate. My personal "claim to fame" was once talking a city official in allowing an event I was running to continue for 300,000 people despite us not having running water on site.

Back around 1998-1999-ish around the branding of SFA, a master plan was presented to the PG County Planning Board and the documentation was posted to PG County's website. I know for a fact that this master plan, as publicly released by the county, was widely discussed on all of the coaster enthusiast forums. There were plans for a stand up coaster, a ferris wheel, an unknown indoor attraction that would've been in a 60' tall 100' long, a water attraction, a 200' tall roller coaster, and about five or six other items. That list is from memory. Supe was the 200' tall coaster, Batwing filled the Stand Up Coaster's spot on the plan. PBR was the water attraction. All those years ago, everyone speculated the unknown indoor attraction was going to be a wild Mouse based on the dimensions of the building. This was way before SF brought out the Dark Knight coasters. Repeat: Batwing filled the Stand Up Coaster's spot on the plan. Who said that *IF* a stand up was built at SFA it would be a B&M. Intamin has been building stand ups for years and Togo was still in business at turn of the millennium. As far as the 2011 coaster is concerned, there has been a handful of people around that have had the same conversation with a certain individual (and I'm not giving up the source so forget it) who has made mention that SFA will be getting a STEEL thrill sized coaster in 2011. No one knows for sure whether it will be a new ride or a relocated ride. When I asked this individual this question, there was a smile before the question was dodged. I have absolutely no doubt that Chang is coming to SFA. For the life of me I can't remember if Chang's rails were filled with sand. If not, that's one good reason why Chang could be coming down so early if it's being erected in 2011. Noise is a concern in the permitting process for SFA. The park is surrounded by neighborhoods to the immediate south, east, and north of the park. Whether or not the rumors about Busch Gardens having an exclusivity contract with B&M that limits where they can build new coasters (ie King's Dominion and potentially SFA), have no doubt that any B&M coaster placed in SFA would need to have its rails filled to lessen the noise. Chang would be a very marketable coaster for SFA. This would be a unique attraction to the area. Comparing Chang to Shockwave is like comparing apples to oranges. They're two totally different ride experiences despite the fact that they are both stand up coasters. I'd love to use to argument that Chang isn't going to SF Great America because they already have a stand up but with La Ronde's recent announcement that they are installing Serial Thriller, I guess we can throw that argument right out the window. I doubt Chang will go to SFGAdv because SFGAdv always seems to be ahead of the curve when it comes to installing the latest fad coaster trick. While not being the first park to install the type of coaster, they've kept up with the Jones'. GASM ('89), Batman ('93), Chiller ('98), Medusa ('99), Nitro ('01), S:UF ('03), KK ('05), El Toro ('06) may not all be prototypes but they've been installed about the same time frame, 1-3 years, of the prototype being built. GASM was the first 7 inversion Arrow-looper and is just 27 feet shorter than the non-looping headliner from the Class of 1989. Batman was built before we saw the truly great B&M inverts were created and the Vekoma SLC wave. Chiller was just two years after the Flight of Fear coasters. Medusa was the prototype. Nitro was the third B&M Mega Coaster just two years after both Apollo's Chariot and Raging Bull opened in 1999. S:UF opened one year after the first B&M flyer opened. KK was just three years after Xcelerator and brought the height and speed records back to the Six Flags chain. Using my stated argument, El Toro really doesn't fit but it was the first of it's kind in the United States. I think SFGAdv will be first if not second to SFMM to receive B&M Dive Coasters. It's only a matter of time. SFGAdv already had a stand up and Chang isn't exactly new technology. It's pretty dated. Some rumors have surfaced that Batwing may be leaving the park *IF* Chang gets installed and I find those hard to believe. The park has made great strides this season getting Batwing to not only utilize two train operation, but also making sure they use both sides of the duel loading station. CoasterLover has posted pics of where Chang could fit at SFA but I'll let him share those if he wants. I don't want to steal his thunder.

I was at KI last year on Friday October 10th, 2008 and the park was empty from 5pm - 6pm but once the sun was down, the crowds showed up and the place was packed. I was only there for credits I missed on a previous trip and re-rides on Beast and SOB.