Jon Sabo

^Thanks for opening up old wounds again..lol That was brutal schedule (especially since i worked 2 jobs-maitenance & ride ops)! Good points of view on several of the issues. But, from a management perspective (especially the VA region) it was extremely difficult to tap into the market for employees; even full-time (with sign-on bonuses). It could likely depend on the region the park(s) are located and what type of pay-scale the park would offer as well as benefits package. The Williamsburg area tend to hire the foreign workers now and most of the shops have the 'older' people to work, but they do burn-out also. Perhaps a CF/Paramount park in NC could swing it (and even perhaps PKD), but BGE surely would struggle since its first 'experiment' was a nightmare. Or, I could see a 5-day operation and keep Wed/Thurs days closed.

^ I also miss that show located at the corner (right side as you leave towards the Eagle/Gray Wolf area). I can't remember the name of the current show there, but way back then they had the show where the 'Apprentice' was trying to immitate his master (magic) and things went awry and those gargoyles sitting on the statues came to life and the special effects were quite fun. They even had that dragon-pet that came to life and so on... Do you remember that (and the name of the show)? That show rocked!

And since most high-school and college students are in class(es), who are they going to hire to run the rides/shops/food service? BGE tried this experiment a long time ago (operation during weekdays through October) and our managers/GM were the ones giving us our lunch breaks..lol Ever try to train a GM/EVP to run the LNM?..lol

I thought that part of the land/space was being sold (or up for sale). Universal just wanted to unload it. But, I think the report was about 2 yrs ago or longer. Maybe U-S decided to keep it.

Awesome views! I think that Arrow coaster was featured in one of the RC Thrills-3D series. Looks like it was painted now since that video was made, or I could be wrong. I hope we get views of a park like that here in Hawaii (but, not at Diamond Head). Nice photos!

I think the most hazardous part of the day was actually walking up the stairs and around the walkways from all of the ice/snow lying around. The one thing that I thought was funny that the driver of that snow-cat taking snow out of the park (good thing he didn't hit anyone).

I think that was cool that they actually open the restraints for you. Either that was for a media photo-op or part of the normal operation (and because the ride was new). Perhaps Chris can add to this, but I would suspect that the Japanese employees are more helpful and friendly in creating an nice environment for its guests and they probably do that as a courtesy for their guests.

The sites posted you can retrieve recent photo's (most within a 2 day or less time frame). Some of the sites posted above require you to be a member and/or purchase the "real-time" data.

Do any of us feel "safe" riding the zipper, but ride anyway? I do, but I really look at how well it is maintained before riding it. Suprisingly, the carnivals that I generally go to (including all of the ones that happen here in Hawaii) have the longest lines! Some it is due to slow ride capacity, but alot of it is popularity also (even beating out some of our traveling coasters).

That's awesome. I loved riding coasters around snow-season. Nothing beats a coaster count credit and then getting a cupload of hot chocolate after the ride..lol We used to ride the BGE-coasters in the winter time (before train tear-downs and when rebuild/testing). Good thing none of us got frostbite, but we did look like terrorists wearing those full-faced snowmasks. One time we had a snowball fight on the BBW (between the front car and us riding the back car). It was such a blast and a good way to relieve the stress from the day/week. Nessie and AC was too much to handle though with the wind/frigid temperatures and I would never do that again, but the Wolf was fun.

Ok. Let me rephrase my earlier post. The (reliable) source is from a friend that works in the area located where the factory is. His name is Craig and he actually lives about 5-10 minutes from Batavia. He has visited the site and took pictures of the track from the site, but has not posted them anywhere on a site(s) because he doesn't really know how to use these type of forums and has no interest in them and he is not a rollercoaster fan by any means. He is willing to email the pics to me, but he would like to get permission to "walk" on the property from the owners which that wish has been granted (by the owners!). Craig is a fabricator/owner that loves steel fabrication (as an industry/owner). He does know what Clermont Steel Fabricators do (manufacturing-wise) and the shop he works for also does steel fabrication. Clermont just doesn't only specialize in coaster-track fabrication; they also have many other local clients as well. So, it isn't "spying" on anything since any sattelite imaging/surveying is free and easy to access. So, to another earlier post that claims that is was spying is not so. Anyone else could have accessed and reported the same thing (so get a grip). Two-three truckloads left the factory left this week, apparently heading toward the "Old Country". Live links/sources: http://terrafly.com http://news.satimagingcorp.com/ http://www.spaceimaging.com/gazette/gazeteer1.asp?vPlacename=Clermont+Steel+Fabricators&vState=OHIO&vCountry=UNITED+STATES&go.x=15&go.y=7 Clermont Steel Fabricators Incorporated 2565 Old State Route 32, Batavia, OH 45103

I used that link because it was one of the most popular (and realized that it is not really updated daily). Try either of these links (real-time). I appologize for the confusion. Links: http://terrafly.com/ http://news.satimagingcorp.com/ http://www.spaceimaging.com/gazette/gazeteer1.asp?vPlacename=Clermont+Steel+Fabricators&vState=OHIO&vCountry=UNITED+STATES&go.x=15&go.y=7 And for the earlier posts claiming that it is "spying" that is not the case (so get a grip). The proof/source is posted on: http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&t=23063

That is the location of the plant that fabricates the track. How do you call it "spying" when it can be accessed from any satellite imaging.

Houston? We have track sightings! Clermont Steel Fabricators (located in Batavia, OH) have been manufacturing all of B&M's track since it started supplying rides within the US. I found some track sightings about a month ago and reported an orange-beige color and seen some dark blue (supports) around the "yard" area. Whether or not that was the color selection for BGE new ride or not remains to be seen, but it is quite eerie and VERY similar to the preview 2007 board that was reported from Chuck. Well, without further adieu, here is a link. Some track has already been moved. So, looks like some is heading towards VA. Link: http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=34.009081~-118.497115&style=o&lvl=1&scene=508418&sp=aN.28.357946_-81.559346_Disney-MGM%20Studios_~aN.33.845675_-118.000799_Knott%27s%20Berry%20Farm_~aN.34.008583_-118.497899_Santa%20Monica%20Pier_~aN.28.408337_-81.462050_SeaWorld%20Orlando_~aN.42.038906_-72.613923_Six%20Flags%20New%20England_~aN.28.376058_-81.549454_Walt%20Disney%20World%20Resort%20-%20Epcot_~aN.41.353267_-81.376215_Geauga%20Lake%20%26%20Wildwater%20Kingdom_~aN.28.478368_-81.468596_Universal%20Studios%20Orlando_~aN.28.471173_-81.470805_Islands%20of%20Adventure_~aN.41.485999_-82.688120_Cedar%20Point%20amusement%20park_&s_cid=SPT00015

Houston? We have track sightings! Clermont Steel Fabricators (located in Batavia, OH) have been manufacturing all of B&M's track since it started supplying rides within the US. I found some track sightings about a month ago and reported an orange-beige color and seen some dark blue (supports) around the "yard" area. Whether or not that was the color selection for BGE new ride or not remains to be seen, but it is quite eerie and VERY similar to the preview 2007 board that was reported from Chuck. Well, without further adieu, here is a link. Some track has already been moved. So, looks like some is heading towards VA. Take it as you will: http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=34.009081~-118.497115&style=o&lvl=1&scene=508418&sp=aN.28.357946_-81.559346_Disney-MGM%20Studios_~aN.33.845675_-118.000799_Knott%27s%20Berry%20Farm_~aN.34.008583_-118.497899_Santa%20Monica%20Pier_~aN.28.408337_-81.462050_SeaWorld%20Orlando_~aN.42.038906_-72.613923_Six%20Flags%20New%20England_~aN.28.376058_-81.549454_Walt%20Disney%20World%20Resort%20-%20Epcot_~aN.41.353267_-81.376215_Geauga%20Lake%20%26%20Wildwater%20Kingdom_~aN.28.478368_-81.468596_Universal%20Studios%20Orlando_~aN.28.471173_-81.470805_Islands%20of%20Adventure_~aN.41.485999_-82.688120_Cedar%20Point%20amusement%20park_&s_cid=SPT00015

Bring a bullet-proof vest. http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26546&start=0

The screaming is coming from those having sex on the Ferris wheel....oops..wait....thats a 6 Flags incident...hehehe

Ok. Since I have been receiving many emails about the story (and some of them can't see that they have additional links referring to each story from beginning), I will post the additional links so the "virgins" don't have to take too much time out of their day and "click on the links"..lol 1. http://www.towersalmanac.com/index.php?show_story=158 2. http://www.towersalmanac.com/index.php?show_story=187

Bring back Questor! Corksrew hill was a fun ride, but it could be tweaked a little (both in story and added scenery). Doesn't anyone else notice that the timing on the ride is off? Guess I can tell/feel it because I had to work on the ride when Questor was in action. But, in C-H version, there are about 3 scenes that are off sequence from the ride platform/motion.

If plans go through with the project we are working on in Hawaii, expect the pay rates to be around $9-11 range. Most people would move here just for that, but be (elmer fudd voice) verry verry quiet-cost of living is wayyyyyyy expensive. That's why I'm moving back to VA..lol Houses here are going for about $420,000 (dump)-$645,000 (and that's for a 3 bedroom house-no pool)!

And that pool of vaccine happens to be the mighty Rhine River..lol What the heck did they do to the Rhine? A-B actually had a patent on a environmentally-friendly product that killed bacteria/algae within the Rhine and it was sort-of clean. Now, its a mess. The area along the AC course almost looks like a cespool or some residual waste-site from Nuclear power plants...just my observation. Please BG-clean the river again.

Yes. I agree. I really think the article(s) are really biased (as is the Amusement Today awards). The criteria to which I believe a park should be awarded has to be based on a "national or international" set of criteria that is somewhat standardized (similar to how the ASTM/DIN/TUV standards exist). And if we think about it, the polls/voting is based on OUR opinions. As we all know from this site and the MANY threads opened and such, all of us have a wide variety of tastes when it comes to what is best/worst/indifferent and so on. We, as enthusiasts, have our own criteria based on what we (as inviduals) like or dislike. In order for awards to be posted, there needs to be a list of standardized criteria that must be met in order to get a more accurate reading on the results. Heck, look at the polls on what we think/believe are the best steel/wooden coasters. Some of the members have real classic rides and others (generally the younger-crowd) tend to vote towards the newer high-tech machines. Which actually make sense, because some of them weren't even born when us old-farts were riding the older-classic rides in which some don't even exist now. That is why I didn't believe the award could have been justified (I can hear the shooting at my door now from past/present employees at BGE and my former bosses hiring hit-men to track me down now). I really believe that some of the 'standardized' criteria would not benefit the park and there are at least 3 other candidates that could or should have won. There are a couple of organizations out there that acutally do have a set of (strict) criteria in awarding parks for specific titles, but they really don't get the publicity that these "fly-by-nite" operators and voting polls provide.

It's not just MM, but all amusment/themeparks in general are really struggling to tap into the market to get employees (good or bad). Not only is it becoming increasingly difficult to hire for park positions, but quality-management positions as well. Times are really changing in the market (for themepark operators) and the figures are backin up that trend as well as written/posted reports across local media markets. Many parks are agressively using "job fairs" to tap into the search for employees and some parks are even offering sign-on bonuses just to hire them. BGE is a good example of having a hard time to just tap the local market (as compared to when I worked there). Look how many "foreign" workers are there now.

^Good point of view from an employees perspective, but I would be curious to see what the rule book states (if there actually is one..lol). Again, it all falls back on mid and upper management (including the GM). It's not just MM, but all amusment/themeparks in general are really struggling to tap into the market to get employees (good or bad). Not only is it becoming increasingly difficult to hire for park positions, but quality-management positions as well. Times are really changing in the market (for themepark operators) and the figures are backin up that trend as well as written/posted reports across local media markets. Many parks are agressively using "job fairs" to tap into the search for employees and some parks are even offering sign-on bonuses just to hire them. BGE is a good example of having a hard time to just tap the local market (as compared to when I worked there). Look how many "foreign" workers are there now.

I'm sensing that the rumor regarding the floorless-style trains is crossing my mind...again..lol I think the ride will blow-away Shiekra for sure. I suspsect that Busch will incorporate another 'water-feature' along the course as well. But, I really can't think of the ride name/theme based on the country its located in.