I spent some time there. lol. I’m now in sales but I can explain the system to you.
Yes, all the cabins are the same, any cabin can be used as a WAV cabin. They only keep wheel chocks in WAV cabins. At one time they were in all cabins and that changed. Now, if they need to use other cabins as WAV in very busy times, they slow the line down, load and put wheel chocks in that cabin. That cabin is called in to the exiting station so the unload cm knows to slow the line and unload the guest. Every tenth cabin is a WAV cabin. Yes, every tenth is for a reason. That’s how much time is needed to unload and load guest. Yes, some people load and unload very easily while others need more time.
It’s all computerized. Every tenth cabin is a WAV cabin. If you look up, on top of the arm that’s his holding you to the cable, there is a small metal box. If it’s the WAV cabin, there is a pin sticking out of that box, facing the platform. That pin has a red marker on the shaft of that pin. It’s hard to find but next time you are waiting, just ask a cm and they can point it out to you.
Let say something happens to a WAV cabin that it can know longer be in service. They simply change a regular cabin to a WAV with a few clicks of the mouse. While in the station, you will hear three dings. Pending what station and how many people, those dings are a warning to the WAV operator that you need to be clear and hit the dispatch button. It’s like a deadman’s switch on a train. You don’t hit it, it shuts the system down.
Example, one night a cabin came in, doors opened, I started my unload directions, took one step in the cabin and the lady on the
ECV gunned it in reverse. Her party pulled the wheel chocks out. Well, you’re not breaking my ankles so I ended up in her lap. I jumped and landed in her lap, I’m not 20 years old. lol.
People pull them wheel chocks out thinking they are speeding up the process and it only adds to it. Not to mention a huge safety issue. I worked with quite a few people who were hit, toes run over by
ECVs. It’s not an easy job. The SL is not a toy, those cabins weigh 1400 pounds empty and if it hits you,you can use your imagination. It is not considered an attraction, it is public transportation govern by rules as a bus, plane, monorail etc.
once you get in, please remain seated, including children and adults. I could tell you story’s all day of the night the doors open and there is blood because someone was standing, dancing and the line stopped and they didn’t.
When you exit the cabin, step all the way across the second yellow line. The only person who can stop the cabin is the one your standing in front of while your being a gentleman, standing two inches from a moving cabin. If someone needs help while stepping out, just let the operator know when the door opens, the cm can slow it down. I could tell you more stories of people who insisted on standing next to a moving cabin but I don’t think it would be appropriate. Trust me, it is one big hunk of unforgiving metal and it can and will injure you if not respected. Those cms are responsible for you and other cms safety and it is taken very seriously. Hanging out of a cabin, sticking your foot out the door isn’t funny.
I miss working the WAV cabins. I met and had some great interactions with guest while waiting.
Always remember, any where on property, the cm that just told you to wait behind the line, don’t run, don’t smoke, don’t stand there is just doing their job and enforcing company policy. They didn’t make the rules, they aren’t trying to give you a hard time or make you have a bad day. Just like any other job, they are expected to do their job and enforce company policy, they didn’t make the policy, just enforcing it.
I still ride the Skyliner just for fun from time to time. It was my first Disney CM experience and I love it. I still run into people I use to work with and we still exchange stories. Skyliner family !
