arrowfanman

^ I have never been engaged in a conversation where Lasik comes up and somebody doesn't go, "I know someone where they messed up an eye." At this point, the technology is far too young for my comforts. I just made the transition from glasses to contacts about a month ago and couldn't be happier. Yes, they're annoying, but no more so than glasses--they're just annoying in different ways. The freedom and clarity that I get with contacts are much greater than the inconvenience, in comparison to glasses. Granted, I have a pretty good fit. It seems that a lot of those who cant get into contacts don't have the fit for it. -Jahan

^^ Have her mark it with Clitter--that will help make it sparkly and easier. Though I have no understanding of flirtation whatsoever, I would say this--if she's started to like you for you (amazing, we all agree ), then however you flirt, make sure it's not in a fashion that changes you. -Jahan

^ And I thought my jokes were funny. C'mon Tyler--Wes knows how to introduce a little anarchy. -Jahan

Wes MUST LIVE!!! -Jahan

^^ I dectected sarcasm. And I have a right to be as sarcastic as the next person. -Jahan

If running 3 trains is an issue, I'm sure we could run only 2, for the sake of consistency. -Jahan

Cedar Fair doesn't need them. Even at their highest profile park, lines rarely exceeed 30 minutes except for their new "big thing" attraction. Efficient general operations + motivated employees > pay-to-play system. Their highest profile park is the only park at which the "Cedar Fair" formula makes any sort of sense. The majority of their parks that I have been to DO NOT run like Cedar Point. And even then again, I queued 45 minutes for both Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. Comparibly, with my Gold Q-Bot, I bypassed a 90 minute queue for El Toro and got on in 8 minutes, Kingda Ka in 4. -Jahan

Yay for China!!! Be safe guys! Look forward to you telling me how kick-ass T-Express is!

That's a bad photo, but I have the capability of taking far worse! Great update! I really liked Leap the Dips! It was 200 for me! -Jahan

If consumers are willing to pay for a service, be mad at them, not at the park--because if queue management systems were really BS, they wouldn't sell. But they do, more and more every day. They way I see it, you'd have to be stupid (*cough* Cedar Fair *cough*) to not offer a service that clearly is both profitable and offers the consumer more choice in the experience they want to have. As a matter of fact even Disney is catching onto this, as they've recently filed a patent for a new FastPass that will give priority to guests staying on-property, and even let hotel guests choose rides days in advance, making even the standard FastPass somewhat obselete. As the Joker said, "If you're good at something, never do it for free." I recently purchased a Gold Q-Bot at SFGAd and was able to complete the entire park in 3 hours. That's amazing. We're talking a day with 90 minute waits. I couldn't be more in love with the system. I prefer it to Disney's FastPass, which is both limited and fragments your day. The Q-Bot lets you go to a park at your own pace, enjoy rides as you want to enjoy them, without having to park hop and run across parks to FastPass different rides. -Jahan

I'm not an engineer. And not representative of the ride maintenence in any way. But I am Arrowfanman and have walked beneath the inversion, inspecting it close up-- The trains are great. It's the track shaping there. The track essentially turns and twists 35 degrees--vertically--at a moment in the ride when the speed is fluctuating rapidly (causing different parts of the train to take the turn differently). If you're sitting on an outside, you're probably 6-7 feet from the point which anchors you to this twisting track--and a 35 degree twist, in line will be much more dramatic 7 feet away from that in-line. To redo the section would be a massive undertaking. They'd have to probably start as far back as the exit of the last inversion and retrack up to the break run, to lessen the angle of the turn. And the truth is, I'm with ajinaz on this one. I've ridden several times, including in the very seat you describe and haven't had an experience to the extent which you describe. It hurts, but I've been on a lot of coasters that hurt. I've never banged my head to the point I fear concussion. As for the tripod, it sucks you couldn't get ahold of someone. I believe it says the rule on the internet and know that it does in the park maps. -Jahan

Be careful Scott! Historically, one of the easiest ways to commandeer the voters for a third party candidate and dismiss him, is to adopt his agenda and beliefs! These were offensive moves, so be on the lookout! -Jahan

YAY!!! A Hanno PTR!! Great shots my friend! You have a distinct way of helping me see how stupid I look on a regular basis! -Jahan

^ I was wrong in saying "people", so much as I meant to say "enthusiasts". I don't know how much it's worth my breath to share my understanding, as people don't seem to take kindly to my "excuses". And by no means am I defending how long it took Tatsu to get a third train, as I was ultimately more effected by it than whoever here had to wait 30 minutes to board Tatsu! My hesitation with what you're saying is the suggestion that Jay and Neal were letting us on in those Q&A sessions. Because last Saturday, EVERY ride was running max units, including the ones that didn't at the beginning of summer. And the last time that happened at Six Flags I don't even know. It's been a couple of years. If deadlines have slipped due to a record number of park-wide maintenence projects (and the fun mechanical/electrical spider web that is X2), stretching the corporate-alloted budget to it's brink, it still hasn't stopped them from ultimately following through on the promises! That's the difference--that's how the park isn't the "old Six Flags". Today...TODAY I saw the Colossus County Fair signs (which probably havn't been touched with paint since the '70's) get a brand new paint job. TODAY. Season's over, and there's paint only going up now. And I'm not any less happy for that, the signs look beautiful! To be truthful, I'm personally surpised that the park is running max units, even if it is this late! That's totally an improvement from years past! When I look at it from that perspective, it amazes me to think that Jay has been with the park for less than a year. Sure makes me intrigued and excited for next year. -Jahan

^ I didn't single you out! There's quite a few who post here. "What took so long?" has many answers, many of which I don't want to share, on a personal level. But the simplist answer is that X2 took the mechanical and operational attention this summer, which makes sense as X2 peaks the interest of what seems like the majority of our guests. One day, recently, it took 3 hours for the Tatsu line to reach one switchback in length, because of X2's luring power. Tatsu is a marquee attraction, yes. But this summer, it was not THE marquee attraction, which when it comes down to making sacrifices you don't want to make but have to, you do so. And I disagree. A good crew and 3 trains wont change all that much. Because people will complain. Justified or not, they will complain. Look at any Disney park's fan site. I'm sure you'd agree. Yes, it was one night. I'm going to be honest, tonight wasn't as good a night. With kids being back in school, our staffing was much weaker. With the exception of some hours where we could seize the opportunity to use it, our third train sat dormant. And ride downtime sent a lot of exit clearance our way, which disjointed the loading process. But it was still a decent day. Just figured I'm entitled to share my perspective just as much as the next joe-schmoe. -Jahan

Brandon's still wearing his tags!? What a dork!!! Just kidding Brandon! Anyway, it REALLY was a good cake. Like, REALLY. I just wish I hadn't just eaten because I would have liked to have eaten more! -Jahan

Tatsu had a great night tonight. 3 trains, 2 stations. 1 momentary downtime that was nearly a hard breakdown, but the downtime was handled very well and luckily we were able to recover. The crew was performing the best I have seen them. Trains were dispatching as the previous one was just finishing its cycle. The only real stacking was immediately after the breakdown, but once the rythem was regained, the crew was doing well again. We hit one of the highest, if not the highest throughput totals of the season tonight. The crew tells me that three trains is the most fun and motivation they've ever had. In the "spirit of full disclosure", I am biased--but no more so than the bitter ex-Magic employees that post on the boards. -Jahan

10 seconds in Goliath's helix of death, and I'm fine. 2 seconds into a "backlot stunt coaster"'s first helix, and I'm seeing spots. By the top, I can barely see anything! I think it's simply per coaster, per rider. It happens. As long as it doesn't hurt your enjoyment of the ride itself, or is too uncomfortable, I'm sure it's fine. Though I'm no doctor. -Jahan

So nice to find another fence-photo-enthusiast such as myself!!! Great PTR. I'm with Erik--should have rode the ferris wheel! -Jahan

I wouldn't have had the chance to sit on Mantis had I actually wanted to, as the evil CP ride op was bitching at me to maintain the proper posture, when I damn well knew the proper posture!--You know...having operated a B&M stand up before. Bitch. -Jahan "The things you take away from parks!" Makanvand

Oh my, how they grow up so fast! You're children have grown so much since I first met them, Guy! Anyway, enough semi-creepy comments from the terrorist--great update Guy! I'm glad you seem to have enjoyed yourself! -Jahan

Great PTR Chuck! What a great day! Thanks for helping show us around your home park! -Jahan

Great PTR! There's some really funny captions in there. Cant wait to see more! Nice meeting you guys! -Jahan

Brilliant PTR! Great photos, great captions, and a whole lot of Neil and me getting wet! :: Look forward to more, Natalie! -Jahan

On the TPR Midwest trip, Avalanche at Timber Falls was struck by lightining the night before we were supposed to have ERT on it, again compromising the electrical system. It took something like 6 electricians, 10 hours, and having to scrap parts off of their log flume to get it up and running for us, but they did. Granted, El Toro is much bigger and I doubt SFGAD is looking to scrap from other rides, hence why we are waiting for components. That being said, once they do come in, it wont be too long before the ride is up. Which is good because I'll be on it in a few weeks. -Jahan