Riding in the Front Cab of the Monorail with the Pilot Again!

[LR Morris]

What ever happened to allowing guests to ride in the cabs with the pilots?

I am well aware of the tragedy of July 5. My heart goes out to Austin's mom, aunt, girlfriend, and other friends. To all of the cast members involved, you have my deepest sympathies for having to have gone through this difficult experience.

This was an ACCIDENT, which is something that happens to all of us. Small ones happen every day, the larger ones hopefully don't occur but one or twice in a lifetime... but they do.

The greatest tragedy that could come from the horrible accident would be if passengers were not ever allowed to ride in the cabs again. We all know of the sheer joy had by cast members and passengers alike: the blissful expressions on children's faces when they receive their Honorary Monorail Co-Pilot's License, their parents' glee, and the pride in the pilot having shared the Disney Magic. The monorail remains the all-time favorite ride of Disney guests, largely because of the very special privilege of sharing that intimate time as a VIP, riding "first class" with the pilot. If you view Disney fan-sites such as allears.org, you will see that one of the most discussed "must-do's" is riding with the monorail's pilot. Wasn't this truly the very best part of your role?

Austin was clearly a young man who loved his work. If you haven't read Diane Cimino's touching words about her family's experience with Austin, or seen the video of them interacting, you owe it to yourself to check these out. Here is a link to an article:
articles.orlandosentinel.com/2009-07-08/news/family_1_austin-wuennenberg-monorail-christyan

Regarding safety, the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Monorail Systems remain the single safest means of human transportation in the world. Since the tragedy, additional logical safety measures have been put into place. The safest has gotten safer as a result of this terrible accident. Excluding passengers from the cab, however, does nothing to reduce the likelihood of a monorail collision.

Though Austin was wonderful and special, he was by no means unique as a pilot who did his best to welcome, entertain, and enlighten his guests. This seems to be a common thread shared by those who are among Disney's elite, the "Raillies." I urge all pilots, past and present, and all Licensed Honorary Monorail Co-Pilots to voice your support for reuniting passengers with pilots.

Austin would have wanted it this way.

 

[disneylovin24]

It's all to avoid lawsuits.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Although I know the happiness that guests can get riding in the front of the monorail, I understand that safety first is the most important. Guests riding with the monorail pilot, although there are many safety procedures and equipment in place, can be distracting.

 

[Sea-Donkey]

I actually logged on here to find out if they had started letting you ride in the front again since we are going in March...guess I know the answer now.

You've got to love our legal system.

 

[TDC Nala]

I find it completely understandable from a business liability standpoint that after July 5 WDW no longer allows guests to ride in the driver's compartment.

 

[RadioNate]

No banning guests from the pilots cab doesn't increase safety, unless you count the distraction having to 'entertain' those guests.

What it does do however, is prevent well meaning (or not) guests from peppering a captive audience with questions. Did you know Austin? What really happened? Were you working? Did you know the pilot who hit him? What happened to that guy?

Think people won't ask? Question? They will.

It is about more than safety.

 

[Jennasis]

No banning guests from the pilots cab doesn't increase safety, unless you count the distraction having to 'entertain' those guests.

What it does do however, is prevent well meaning (or not) guests from peppering a captive audience with questions. Did you know Austin? What really happened? Were you working? Did you know the pilot who hit him? What happened to that guy?

Think people won't ask? Question? They will.

It is about more than safety.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

It sucks that I will never get to ride up front again, and that no one else will either. But I understand...

 

[Magic Mom]

The greatest tragedy that could come from the horrible accident would be if passengers were not ever allowed to ride in the cabs again.

I'm all for letting passengers ride up front again. It is something both my children enjoyed and still remember. It would be great for other families to get the same experience.

But seriously, is this the greatest tragedy that could come from this accident?

 

[mom2of2]

People are constantly asking to ride in the front and when told that it's no longer done, are constantly asking questions. I hear the most rude crap asked of the CM's all the time. Some guests don't take no for an answer and will actually stand there and argue with the CM's. I've heard "Is it because that guy died?" a few DOZEN times. The CM's reply? "Move all the way down Please"

 

[SandrA9810]

I miss the opprotunity to do it. But it's not the worst thing in the world.

And guests really are stupid when they want to be, and say rude/ignorant things when they shouldn't. A driver doesn't need to be tortured by these kinds of people for a 5 min ride.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

The greatest tragedy that could come from the horrible accident would be if passengers were not ever allowed to ride in the cabs again.

Austin would have wanted it this way.

Uh..I think the greatest tragedy occurred that night. A guest not being able ride up front in no way qualifies as a tragedy. And I think Austin would have been glad that there were no other passengers in front with him.

No banning guests from the pilots cab doesn't increase safety, unless you count the distraction having to 'entertain' those guests.

What it does do however, is prevent well meaning (or not) guests from peppering a captive audience with questions. Did you know Austin? What really happened? Were you working? Did you know the pilot who hit him? What happened to that guy?

Think people won't ask? Question? They will.

It is about more than safety.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

What's sad for me is my very first time last year riding on the monorail in the front ... Austin was our pilot.

 

[ead79]

No banning guests from the pilots cab doesn't increase safety, unless you count the distraction having to 'entertain' those guests.

What it does do however, is prevent well meaning (or not) guests from peppering a captive audience with questions. Did you know Austin? What really happened? Were you working? Did you know the pilot who hit him? What happened to that guy?

Think people won't ask? Question? They will.

It is about more than safety.

Exactly.

Uh..I think the greatest tragedy occurred that night. A guest not being able ride up front in no way qualifies as a tragedy. And I think Austin would have been glad that there were no other passengers in front with him.

The loss of a cast member, a human being is a true tragedy. Not getting to ride up front in the monorail is a minor disappointment. Not even close to being on the same level.

 

[Magic Mom]

Uh..I think the greatest tragedy occurred that night. A guest not being able ride up front in no way qualifies as a tragedy. And I think Austin would have been glad that there were no other passengers in front with him.

Exactly.

 

[LR Morris]

Exactly.

The loss of a cast member, a human being is a true tragedy. Not getting to ride up front in the monorail is a minor disappointment. Not even close to being on the same level.

I think you are missing the point. The accident happened, and it can't un-happen. Guests in the cab were not a factor. Why should all the future enjoyment of the masses be eliminated out of fear that something MIGHT happen?

Should they close the Indiana Jones show forever because a CM was killed performing it? Should they stop the Pirate Tutorial because a CM hit his head on the wall, and later died? Accidents can, and will, happen, but we can't stop living our lives because of it.

Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of positive experiences have been had by young children riding with the pilot, and I'd say that the loss of one life in the process is, while very sad and tragic, minimal.

The monorail cabs should be re-opened to the public.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I think you are missing the point. The accident happened, and it can't un-happen. Guests in the cab were not a factor. Why should all the future enjoyment of the masses be eliminated out of fear that something MIGHT happen?

Should they close the Indiana Jones show forever because a CM was killed performing it? Should they stop the Pirate Tutorial because a CM hit his head on the wall, and later died? Accidents can, and will, happen, but we can't stop living our lives because of it.

Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of positive experiences have been had by young children riding with the pilot, and I'd say that the loss of one life in the process is, while very sad and tragic, minimal.

The monorail cabs should be re-opened to the public.

can't argue with that logic.

 

[John VN]

The following is one of the reasons why riding up front will not happen again.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/25/disney-sued-over-death-monorail-driver/news-breaking/

 

[Allison]

I think you are missing the point. The accident happened, and it can't un-happen. Guests in the cab were not a factor. Why should all the future enjoyment of the masses be eliminated out of fear that something MIGHT happen?

Should they close the Indiana Jones show forever because a CM was killed performing it? Should they stop the Pirate Tutorial because a CM hit his head on the wall, and later died? Accidents can, and will, happen, but we can't stop living our lives because of it.

Hundreds and hundreds of thousands of positive experiences have been had by young children riding with the pilot, and I'd say that the loss of one life in the process is, while very sad and tragic, minimal.

The monorail cabs should be re-opened to the public.

Minimal?? Sorry, I disagree.

In my opinion, I find the statement that all of the future enjoyment of the masses will be eliminated to be an over the top statement. Unless a child has ridden up front before, they won't know the difference will they? I doubt someone's future enjoyment will be eliminated because they aren't in the front cab.

 

[pixiewings71]

You know, you CAN still ride in the cab with the pilot of the monorail, you can also ride in the very back of the monorail, BUT you have to go to DLR to do it.