iZak

Ok, so the reason why Flashback is still closed is because OSHA demanded that all 3 (yes, THREE) trains need to be rebuilt, and the PLC needs to be updated. So, until those two issuses are resolved, I don't think we'll see it opening anytime soon... The reason why it is so rough is a combination of the OTSRs and the wheels on the train. There was an experiment that was started on that ride while I worked there that would have seen old Goliath wheels replace the old Flashback wheels, giving the ride the same smoothness as Goliath (in theory). Unfortunately, the money for that project ran out due to it being diverted to the construction of Scream and the "beautification" of Colossus for it's opening. As for the OSTRs...I would love to see them replaced along with the wheels (re: a continuation of the Goilath wheel project). However, they will not go away due to insurance regulations. Hope that helps... PS - There's also a POV on ACN's premium site... ...and here's a pic from the storage track looking under the train below the station... Here's a little present from Flashback's last season in 2003...The panel...

17 is the lowest age to be a ride op in the state of CA. 16, you can only be an attendant, if I remember correctly. I might be wrong...It's been a couple of years.

Most, if not all, parks train their operators at the ride. That way you get hands on instruction. I know that at SFMM we had to train for 4 days and 12 hours (minimum) before we got to even take our test to become a ride operator. I also know that at some SF parks, all you have to do is operate the ride 10 times under the supervision of a certified operator before you get certified. Operating any theme park ride is really a no brainer. They are designed as such (read the interview with the guy from Consign on RC Pro [sorry Robb, but it's a good interview] and you'll see what I'm talking about). The main rule, however, is that you keep the riders and other crew members safe at all times. Basically, that just means you need to be paying attention. Sure, after a while, you get comfortable with the ride and your surroundings, but you are still there to do a job, and that job is to operate the ride safely. Ok, ok...For the sake of this thread...I used to work at SFMM. I was a ride op, then a lead, and, eventually, before I left, was asked to be an area trainer (since I was certified for every ride in my area at the time). I worked there from 2001-2004. I was an operator or an attendant at pretty much every ride in the park. My favorites were S:TE, Flashback, Goliath, B:TR and Log Jammer (but that was only because of my crew). Feel free to PM or e-mail me at any time if you have any more questions!

^ No...If I remember correctly, they started doing 2-for-1s after it re-opened the first time...

^^ She said that Flashback would not be dismantled in 2006...=/

^ That's only because it's easy to build...Check out Twisted Rails for Karl's updates on Thrill Shot when it was being built... Also, I always thought that Thrill Shot would be around for a while...Especially after they reprogrammed it and got a new car for it...Oh well. At least I got my rides in on it when I worked at Jet Stream...

I just found mine at the bottom of my closet next to all of my other SFMM "memorabilia". I'm probably going to end up scanning it and making a PDF out of it and posting it somewhere...We'll see...

Everyday I opened at SFMM for three years. I thought this would be about opening a park for the first time...I didn't work the event (I was just a bit too young), but I was there when USF opened back in 1991.

Shapiro brings up some very good points, and I'm glad to see that he's not totally abandoning adding coasters at the parks... However, I'm afraid that all of these general ideas they are implementing for the entire chain will not work at some parks (ie. SFMM, SFGa, SFGAdv) where their customers expect something big or something new every year. I mean, take a look at the attendance figures for SFMM since the opening of Scream (shoot, since the opening of X/Deja Vu). You will notice a nice decline (yeah, it went up one year 3%...but look how far down it was). I'm really curious to see what Tatsu will do for that park... Anyway, let's see if the big man can back up his big words...

I think Masteller and I were the only two ops in the whole park that actually liked the ride and liked working there. Even then, I doubt Chris liked it. I think I'm the only person in the whole park that actually requested to work there!

My favorite one would have to be doing the safety ride on Flashback after it had not been operated for about a year, and then not having the ride open at all (Almost all the major rides in the park were closed or down for whatever reason)...It was quite fun! Also, I was one of the first people on Deja Vu and X before they opened to the public...Come to think of it...That was the last time I was ever on those rides!

^ For the answers to some of your questions, please refer back to my post on page 6... BTW, that Z-Force promo has to be one of the best ever!

The fog is usually on in the summer...and the supports are teal. Remember...The ride was originally supposed to be based on the "Aquaman" comics, and Aquaman's uniform was orange and teal. Aquaman

I totally forgot about that! I have a picture of it around here on a CD...I'll have to dig it out and post it!

^ I've been around...Just never really had the opportunity to share my info... And to attempt to answer your question...They CAN open it, and I'll be the first in line to ride it when and if it does open this year (or any year, for that matter).

With the new management, I do not forsee them removing Flashback. I hope they decided to either continue the program to replace all the wheels on the two trains with the old Goliath wheels (the ones that used to melt from the friction due to the speed when it first opened) and get the other train that is in ruins back together or get all new trains (since the trains were the major reason the ride was closed to begin with). I'm sorta hoping for the all new trains thing because those trains that are there now are outdated and in desperate need of being replaced or upgraded. Oh yeah...Here's a couple of responses to some posts I saw earlier in this thread... 1) No. The power source was not moved from Flashback to Tornado. In fact, from what I've heard the ride has just been locked out. So the power to the PLC is off and locked so no one can turn it on. 2) Yes. Those spots of paint on the top level have been there a while. They were there when I last operated the ride back in 2004 (yes, I said operated and 2004 in the same sentence...it's a long story), so it's been at least 2 years, and probably more because I remember them being there when I was the lead there back in '02-'03. 3) I'm sure a lot of people know this, but Flashback was originally designed to be an indoor ride, hence the reason why it is so compact. The model name for the ride is the "Space Diver". Space because space is black, and diver...well, you can figure that part out. [These I'm adding for fun...] 4) The name 'Flashback' came from the flashing lights that were added to the ride when it was moved to SFMM from SFGa in 1992. Before it was moved to CA, the ride was called "Z-Force" because of the of the trains. They travel on the Z plane (as opposed to the X or Y, horizontal or vertical) of a 4-D surface. 5) Rumor has it that there is another Space Diver sitting in a warehouse somewhere waiting for a buyer or to be built. Anyone want to help me find it? Ok...That's all the useless Flashback info I have to share right now... --Zak "The last person to operate and ride on Flashback" Winnick

^ That's what happens when you guys don't rake leaves from the grates in front of the pumps!

They look like radio antennas...Just a thought...

If you think his work with the Mahavishnu Orchestra is awesome, you should check out some of his solo stuff... However, IMF is one of my favourite CDs in my 1000+ CD collection...

^ Awesome drawing! I used to collect Danger Girl (created by J. Scott Campbell of Gen 13 fame). Unfortunately, they stopped making them after the video game came out, and the movie deal fell through. However, I do have all of the original issues (0-7). Man, now I want to go read them again...

All at SFMM during my 3-year tenure: Flashback: 130 Superman: 200+ (stopped counting around 206) Batman: 102 Goliath: 90 (I only worked there for two weeks and a day) Ninja: 53 Deja Vu: 4 X: 2 Viper: 12 Goliath Jr: 2 (Yay!) Scream: 27 RRv: 93 Rusher: 17 Rev: 13 Psyclone: 1 Colossus: 7 (6 backwards) Jet Stream: 250+ (I was a lead there for 7 months) Log Jammer: 300+ (I was the lead there for a year...) Rapids: 3 Tidal Wave: 163 Freefall: 7 Dive Devil: 1 Thrill Shot: 2 (Hey...I worked at Jet) Ok, that should do it for all the major rides...I won't get into BBW...

I remember seeing some sort of brochure for Westcot like 15 years ago. My dad brought it home one night...Pretty interesting considering he worked for USH at the time, no?

Superman isn't going anywhere...It would cost WAY more than what the park has to remove the ride and then replace it with another one. I can't believe that rumor is still floating around...

All signs point to coaster in 2006. There are two locations that are potential, but only one is getting it, and it's an area that needs a new ride.

I think that second kid is amazing! I love when he does that strobe-like thing...Trips me out every time!