El Toro/KK loose article policy

[GigaG]

I'm going to be visiting SFGAdv in about 2 weeks. I'm extremely excited to revisit El Toro and all the other great rides there. But there's one problem, which I have not seen mentioned in this forum at all.

 

I've heard of El Toro and Kingda Ka getting a ridiculous loose article policy, where they will literally pat people down and prevent them from taking their oh-so-dangerous phone in a zippered pocket that can't open unless you're an absolute moron who takes out their phone on the ride. Do we really have to treat everybody like a terrorist and be nannies to everybody? Freaking PAT DOWNS. Let's bring back some personal responsibility here, like 99% percent of other parks in the USA. I am more than capable of holding onto my phone in a zippered pocket.

 

Maybe instead of this, they should have enforced the existing loose article policy. If you see someone with a phone, you kick them out. But at many Six Flags parks, I see riders with cameras and phones all the time and the ride ops don't stop the lift. I figure they did this at SFGAdv, then rather than trying to enforce it, they just sprung this moronic policy on us when somebody got hit with a phone.

 

Not to mention that they will gladly let you take on your Flash Pass which is less secure than a zippered pocket. Six Flags cares about safety, all right. If "safety" makes them more money (lockers.)

 

 

I highly recommend that anybody who cares about not being babied by the park because of the actions of a few idiots, and anybody who doesn't want this to set a precedent for more bubble-wrapping in the industry, email SFGAdv here and complain. Don't be an arse about it, but do let them know that it is a terrible policy that inconveniences customers.

 

https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure/plan-your-visit/contact-us

 

*rant over for now*

Edited May 28, 2017 by GigaG

[Medusa42]

I don't have much of a problem with the new policy, it is only a minor inconvenience and better than getting hit in the face by something. This new policy is the result of at least two injuries and a lawsuit over the last couple of years. This was most likely forced on Six Flags by their insurance company.

 

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2016/05/18/huzenik-six-flags-adventure/84560080/

An amusement-park patron, hit in the face by a cellphone that went flying during a roller-coaster ride, has sued Six Flags Great Adventure over his injuries.

Evan Huzinec of Philadelphia contends he lost sight in one eye and sustained "extensive internal and external injuries" after the July 5, 2014, accident at the Jackson amusement park.

 

http://nbc4i.com/2016/08/23/woman-injured-after-being-hit-by-flying-object-on-roller-coaster/

A woman lost a tooth, broke two others and will now need extensive oral surgery after she was hit in the face by a flying object while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure.

Sabreen Nassar tells CNN affiliate News 12 New Jersey that she was on the El Toro ride when she was hit with something that felt like a bat to the face.

She has no idea what hit her because it happened so fast, but she beleives it could have been a loose object coming out of another rider’s pockets.

[GigaG]

Hopefully someday this place will toughen up and stop pandering to lawyers. If people know they'll be kicked out for having their phone out, they won't do it. Simple as that.

[scott]

Ive told this before on another post but my wife was nearly hit waiting for me and my daughters to get off of Bizarro. A phone went flying past her head. Its true that the actions of a few mess it up for the multitude but that's what happens. I don't like the idea of leaving things in a locker but if it keeps people from getting hurt then I guess I will live with it.

 

The park has stopped rides for people taking their phones out. I have been online when Nitro, Bizarro, and Green Lantern have stopped on the lift. Multiple times. I don't know that anyone has been removed from the park though.

[Viper26]

I don't know that anyone has been removed from the park though.

 

There are YouTube videos of people getting thrown out and even banned for bringing cameras/phones on the rides. As far as I know, Great Adventure is the only park that ejects and bans guests for breaking the rules.

[The Master]

A few years ago at GADV, my mother was there and a branch fell off a tree and hit her on the head just walking on the midway, s### happens no matter what you do. Should GADV cut all the trees down so they no longer pose a falling objects hazard to park guests? Or should the park mandate all guests rent hardhats for just walking under the trees?

 

I was at the park the other week and they were not patting people down, but that could have changed. Its an excuse to force more locker rentals.

[owtoty]

I went on Saturday and forgot to wear zippered pockets. I wasn't even going to try to bring my phone on a ride so I rented a locker. It was only $8 for the entire day and I could move my stuff from ride to ride. I also got my yellow cup stolen while riding Bizarro the time before so I was glad that my cup wouldn't be stolen either. Honestly I think I might pay the $8 every time because then I don't have to worry. It's even cheaper when split between another person. In 2011 my phone flew out of my pocket on Batman and I never want that to happen again.

 

Also a few weeks ago when they first started enforcing the policy I went on El Toro. I had a zippered pocket and didn't feel like waiting in line to buy a locker so I just said no when they asked if I had a phone. After waiting in line, and being next in line for back row, a security guard came out of nowhere and said "you can't have a phone on this ride". My phone was in my pocket and knew just based on looking. He made we walk all the way back through the line and it was awful. I don't want that to happen again especially if I wait more than 20 minutes in line because then I forfeit my spot in line.

[joeyc98]

What I do can pretty much guarantee you may get in trouble, but I've yet to have to pay for a locker and I've been to the park almost 10 times this season while riding El Toro and Kingda Ka almost every visit. Normally, my friends and I will hide our phones/wallets in our clothes and take them out once we pass the entrance. Its always worked since we've never been pat down.. I always wear shorts with buttons so im never endangering people. But thats my trick.. If you do or don't approve of it, that's a different convo to be had lol.

[dougdrummer]

It's the age-old debate of safety/security vs. personal liberties. For responsible people it seems absurd and an infringement. For those that have been injured or almost injured, it seems reasonable.

 

Fortunately for me my wife doesn't like extreme coasters, so I just give her my stuff when I ride. Problem solved.

[GigaG]

It's the age-old debate of safety/security vs. personal liberties. For responsible people it seems absurd and an infringement. For those that have been injured or almost injured, it seems reasonable.

 

Fortunately for me my wife doesn't like extreme coasters, so I just give her my stuff when I ride. Problem solved.

Exactly. I didn't want to sound political, but it's just more nanny-state type stuff, except this time it's a private company doing it (pushed by lawyers to do it and using it as an opportunity to make money.)

 

It's just so demeaning, embarrassing, and idiotic to be patting people down. Seriously. There should be big red signs everywhere in the queue announcing that if you are caught with a phone on a ride outside of a secured pocket, you will be banned from all Six Flags property, either for several years or life. Put them in English and Spanish (and any other languages that are common in the area, I know that SFGAdv attracts a very diverse crowd from NYC, Philly, and the like, so English-only is a bit unwise for such a critical safety sign.) Make sure people know that there are security cameras and you WILL get caught doing such idiotic things.

 

In addition, I know that in my home state of Ohio, you can be fined (and perhaps jailed for a bit) and convicted of a misdemeanor for breaking ride safety regulations. I hope that New Jersey has a similar law. NJ has regulated the amusement industry before (KK/Zumanjaro), so it seems like they would have such a law. If such a law exists, that, too, should be put up on big signs along with the aforementioned warning.

 

Another interesting idea is at Diamondback at Kings Island, where mangled phones that fall from the ride are put on display in a large Plexiglass box before you enter the station as a warning. Nobody wants to lose their phone, which probably cost them $200-$900 if it's a smartphone.

 

 

 

Let me finish with a closing remark. Imagine if somebody's Flash Pass - which, while smaller than a phone, is also an electronic device that the rider is trusted to secure properly - comes loose on El Toro and knocks my teeth out. Maybe the user didn't clip it to their belt loop. What will Six Flags do about that? They'd definitely be more hesitant to ban something that makes them money. But banning phones, keys, and wallets? That makes locker money. Hence the current ban.

Edited May 29, 2017 by GigaG

[SFGadv123]

When I went to the park this year they were just asking people as they walked through if they had phones or keys and were not patting anyone down, maybe they have other days I don't know. But either way, I understand why they don't allow them on the ride but if they are going to do it they need to make the lockers free. It's ridiculous that someone is going to be punished and forced to either pay for a locker or not be able to ride. I never bring my phone into the park anyway because I don't want to lose it, but obviously you are going to bring in keys. When I went my friend bought a locker so I just used theirs to put my stuff in, but I would never buy a locker myself. It's a waste of money.

[IBOK]

GA is in a no win situation. A ban makes sense but clearly gets irritating for us the patrons. Free lockers would be nice but can see why that wouldn't make sense for the park. I always liked the pouch on the ride itself but then how can the park reliably get us to use it. Idk. Doesn't seem like there is a perfect solution.

[The Master]

I don't bring my old flip cell into the parks, and I don't even own a smartphone. Why should I be punished for something I don't even own?

[Matt Kaiser]

Exactly. I didn't want to sound political, but it's just more nanny-state type stuff, except this time it's a private company doing it (pushed by lawyers to do it and using it as an opportunity to make money.)

 

It's just so demeaning, embarrassing, and idiotic to be patting people down. Seriously. There should be big red signs everywhere in the queue announcing that if you are caught with a phone on a ride outside of a secured pocket, you will be banned from all Six Flags property, either for several years or life. Put them in English and Spanish (and any other languages that are common in the area, I know that SFGAdv attracts a very diverse crowd from NYC, Philly, and the like, so English-only is a bit unwise for such a critical safety sign.) Make sure people know that there are security cameras and you WILL get caught doing such idiotic things.

 

In addition, I know that in my home state of Ohio, you can be fined (and perhaps jailed for a bit) and convicted of a misdemeanor for breaking ride safety regulations. I hope that New Jersey has a similar law. NJ has regulated the amusement industry before (KK/Zumanjaro), so it seems like they would have such a law. If such a law exists, that, too, should be put up on big signs along with the aforementioned warning.

 

Another interesting idea is at Diamondback at Kings Island, where mangled phones that fall from the ride are put on display in a large Plexiglass box before you enter the station as a warning. Nobody wants to lose their phone, which probably cost them $200-$900 if it's a smartphone.

 

 

 

Let me finish with a closing remark. Imagine if somebody's Flash Pass - which, while smaller than a phone, is also an electronic device that the rider is trusted to secure properly - comes loose on El Toro and knocks my teeth out. Maybe the user didn't clip it to their belt loop. What will Six Flags do about that? They'd definitely be more hesitant to ban something that makes them money. But banning phones, keys, and wallets? That makes locker money. Hence the current ban.

 

 

Where do people keep getting pat downs? There's no pat downs.

 

 

NJ has a similar law regarding theme park rules that can result in fines and jail time.

 

 

Many parks have the box of phones, including Great Adventure. It's hard to tell how much it really works, since this stuff happens anyway.

[dougdrummer]

Bring back Rolling Thunder! LOL

[SatansHockey]

 

 

Where do people keep getting pat downs? There's no pat downs.

 

 

NJ has a similar law regarding theme park rules that can result in fines and jail time.

 

 

Many parks have the box of phones, including Great Adventure. It's hard to tell how much it really works, since this stuff happens anyway.

 

I haven't been to the park this season yet but I haven't seen any reports of pat downs happening either. Has anyone here actually had one or seen this done?

Edited May 30, 2017 by SatansHockey

[owtoty]

I haven't been to the park this season yet but I haven't seen any reports pat downs happening either. Has anyone here actually had one or seen this done?

I haven't seen it and I've been to the park four times this season.

[dougdrummer]

I have not seen any pat downs either.

[Mr.Six]

 

 

Another interesting idea is at Diamondback at Kings Island, where mangled phones that fall from the ride are put on display in a large Plexiglass box before you enter the station as a warning. Nobody wants to lose their phone, which probably cost them $200-$900 if it's a smartphone.

 

 

We have similar ones on Ka, Toro and the Joker.

[dougdrummer]

 

Another interesting idea is at Diamondback at Kings Island, where mangled phones that fall from the ride are put on display in a large Plexiglass box before you enter the station as a warning. Nobody wants to lose their phone, which probably cost them $200-$900 if it's a smartphone.

 

 

We have similar ones on Ka, Toro and the Joker.

Yesterday my friend lost his phone at the casino, and you are correct that everyone wants to avoid the aggravation and substantial cost of losing a phone

 

A couple weeks ago I dropped and broke my phone (couldn't transfer data), and even though I bought a replacement phone that is middle of the road, it still cost nearly $300. Then you have to load up all your apps again and restore your various accounts, emails, passwords, contacts, etc.

[Mrpq]

If Cedar Point allows guest to ride their coasters with fanny packs there is NO reason why Six Flags can in force the same rule. My wife was able to ride EVERY SINGLE ride with a fanny pack which held both out cell phones, keys and money. This rule at Six Flags is crazy

 

 

. Put them in English and Spanish (and any other languages that are common in the area, I know that SFGAdv attracts a very diverse crowd from NYC, Philly, and the like, so English-only is a bit unwise for such a critical safety sign.) Make sure people know that there are security cameras and you WILL get caught doing such idiotic things.

 

I might get lashed for this but I do not see why signs would need anything more than English. If you think about it if you couldn't speak English at all, I am talking not a lick, that person would have a very difficult time even getting to the point where that sign would need to be read. If the park is going to start posting multi language signs the next thing will be the ride opps needing to repeat what they are saying in multiple languages....

 

Sorry if this came off as harsh BUT

[dougdrummer]

When I walked past Joker last week, I saw a long line at the lockers across the pathway from the queue, even though the park wasn't that crowded.

[Yoshi]

If there was a long line to get a locker on a non crowded day, I wonder how bad it will be during Fright Fest and what happens if they run out of lockers. With the overflow queue for El Toro set up all the way to the path near the bridge to Frontier Adventures, there have to be more people in line than lockers available even if 2 or more people are using 1 locker.

[dougdrummer]

If there was a long line to get a locker on a non crowded day, I wonder how bad it will be during Fright Fest and what happens if they run out of lockers. With the overflow queue for El Toro set up all the way to the path near the bridge to Frontier Adventures, there have to be more people in line than lockers available even if 2 or more people are using 1 locker.

I wonder if SF even cares if that happens. More people waiting for lockers = less people in the ride line = more revenue from the lockers. Then again, waiting in long lines anywhere prevents patrons from spending money elsewhere. And there's that whole issue of customer satisfaction....

[Mrpq]

All I keep saying to myself. If CP allows fanny packs theres no reason SF cant, unless this is coming down from the great state of NJ