Stilled Pissed at CMs on Rockin Roller Coster

[Leota]

For 7 years (until 2004) I worked as a electro-mechanical engineer and ride safety inspector for a well know theme-park chain (not Disney). There are several different restraint mechanism types, but most comman are hydraulic lock-release types. These restraints get deteriorated seals and become weak with age (partially opening or being loose on small persons), or can also fail suddenly without notice. Just because the ride was safety inspected by technicians that day, doesn't mean the very next ride run won't have a failure. The operator is the last critical link in the guest safety chain, but the passenger is the one who has everything to lose. Always check. Check lap belts for fraying around the buckles and clips, and for secure fit. A loose lap belt on a child can cause seat belt injuries to the abdomen similar to a motor-vehicle accident. On shoulder or lap bar restraints, use both arms and give a solid resistive push on the restraint. There should be no give or bounce, and no more that 3-4 inches of play between the restraint and body.

The original poster absolutely did the right thing by doing whatever was necessary to get the attention of the CM running the ride, and later alerting the supervisor. I am glad the situation was responded to and there was no resulting injury. From the description, unless the CM failed to push the restraint down at all...it sounds like that restraint was on the short path to mechanical failure.

Another note-worthy point...While safety devices do fail, 90% of guest injuries are the result of not listening and following verbal and posted safety instructions. Every parent should impress on their kids that following the rules on a ride is not optional....and heed that advice too. Ride and have fun, but be safe.

Penchris - Thanks for posting that. I always assumed there were sensor systems that would prevent launch if it detected failure in any of the systems, including restraints....Apparently this is a false assumption? Aren't there at least sensors that detect & alert operators that a restraint is not engaged?

I know the inspection process for amusements is pretty rigid (I do pressure vessel inspection/QC & have looked a little into amusement QC/inspection for the future) and that has always reassured me of the mechanical safety of amusements. I had always assumed it was human error that caused failure in the systems......

I always double/triple check my restraints & thought I was just being O/C. Guess I better keep doing that (I love Coasters too much to stop riding them completely!)

 

[26555]

This is the reason I think the loading area should be relatively quiet and not have music playing to make it harder for people to get a CMs attention. I do like the added buckle on rides like the Hulk providing a little extra security.

 

[Feralpeg]

In this day of high tech capabilities, you'd think there would be some sort of sensor that would not allow the ride to move if all of the safety devices were not in the locked position.

I know a woman in Kansas City who was on a ride similar to Dr. Doom over at Universal. Her safety belt was on, but the device that fits over your shoulders and locks down would not lock. She told one of the attendants and he said okay, he'd be right back. He didn't go back. They started the ride. She just held on during the falls, but she was so scared. She came off the ride crying. She made them call management and they were very sympathetic, but that really wouldn't have done her any good if she'd fallen from the ride. I'm really leary of those types of rides.

 

[njchris]

I wish I didn't read this. I'm going to be down there on the 3rd and now I'm not sure if I want to go on RnR!!!! I don't know if I'll enjoy it being scared from the stories!!!

 

[greenyskp]

I've never had this happen. But I always always always check my safety belt, restraint or whatever is keeping me safe on a ride. Rides malfunction, CM's are negligent and it isnt up to anyone else to make sure I'm safe.

Im kind of hard nosed about this.... I had a friend bunjee jump and her cord broke, and she fell. Into water... so she wasnt killed, just badly broken and bruised. She wont ride anything else now, but she sued the company for everything they were worth, 5 years later and shes still in court dealing with appeals and that.

I kind of lost respect for her after this, I mean SHE wanted to bunjee jump, Hello! there are risks of jumping off of something, plummeting and relying on a cord to save you. Thats the thrill..I've bunjeed before. But I would have expected the company to pay for my medical bills and lost wages, but thats it. Now if she was permantly handicapped, I would expect her to be imbursed for that as well. She's getting a couple million for the whole deal, the company is in ruins and her medical bills were only a couple thousand. But we could talk forever about people who cheat the system.

My point is... You get on a MECHANICAL ride, that you have no control over, and its up to you to make sure your safe, before anyone else.

If you got in a coworkers car, and she told you to not worry, she was a safe driver, would still not put your seat belt on? Would you put it on improperly and not think about it because she told you she was a safe driver? Of course not, youd put it in on, and mentally note that there is an airbag...etc... At least thats what i do. It never hinders my 'ride experience'. It makes me enjoy it more because Im alive to tell you about it. And 20 years, no broken bones, and no hospital stays later, I'm proud of how safe I am.

 

[Ducky4Disney]

That must've been very scary! I always push/pull/wiggle/shake my restraint before the train leaves - I think I'll keep doing that! At Cedar Point in Ohio I had an experience like that. My DH is big&tall and when we tried to ride teh Coal Miner's Ride he didn't fit. He tried crossing his ankles, flattening his knees, but it was a no-go so he got up to exit the ride and left me to ride alone. By this time everyone else was seated and strapped in - I was not. They were giving the "all clear" and I didn't have my seatbelt on! The lap bar wasn't down really tight and that ride has a lots of sharp turns and camel backs making for some great air time (or in this case - scary air time!). Aside from the possibility of being thrown out I was going to be sloshed side to side pretty hard without someone sitting next to me and no seatlbelt! I got my seatbelt on just as the train was leaving the platform - I couldn't enjoy the ride I was just fuming in my seat thinking of all the ways I could have died/been injured!

I just returned from one WDW trip and I have two more to go - I'll be double careful!

D4D

 

[savs]

For 7 years (until 2004) I worked as a electro-mechanical engineer and ride safety inspector for a well know theme-park chain (not Disney).

Did you work at the Six Flags in Gurnee, IL???? We have season passes there, we love heading there every weekend we have open. The one ride that scares me there is the "Wizzard" it allows young children to go on this and sit between your legs with only a lapbelt. You have to hold on pretty tight to the little ones becasue they go flying all over the place when it takes some of those corners.

Originally Posted by back2disney
Isn't there also a lap belt???

Nope no lapbelts on the RNRC, only over the head restraints.

 

[johde]

I wouldn't be too worried about RnR but as everyone has said you need to use some common sense. When latched these restraints have some play in them between locking points. In some cases this can be as much as an inch or more. As long as you can't lift the bar clear over your head, it's locked. The restraint does not need to be tight to be effective. You can have a some breathing room and still be safe. On this ride, as well as most rides, locked means the restraint can't get any looser. You can still pull the restraint tighter after it's locked.

With reguards to getting stuck on the ride at the end. With many coasters RnR included, I think, you need to push down on the restraint before it will release. It's an added safety feature. If for some reason your restraint locks in a too tight (going over a bump or getting scared and really squeezing on the restraint) it can be difficult to get enough of a push down yourself to release the restraint. I've done it myself and seen it happen many times. One time at Kings Island in Ohio, I saw someone who was "over stimulated" riding The Beast. When they arrived back into the station she was frantically trying to lift up on the lap bar to get off the ride as soon as she could. She was stuck in place until a ride op pushed down on the lap bar to release it. I ride enough roller coasters that it's almost a natural motion for me to push down then pull up on the lap bar even on rides where it's not necessary.

Finally, I don't know if there is a light that let's the ride operator know if all the restraints are locked or not. Some roller coaster do, some roller coasters don't. Just remember that even if there is an indicator, it would read OK if the restraint is down far enough for the largest guest they feel can safely ride the ride. On rides where the restraints click, that is about 3 clicks.

As others have said, statistically roller coaster are safer than riding in a car but you still need to take a proactive stance to ensure your safety.

 

[njchris]

I wouldn't be too worried about RnR but as everyone has said you need to use some common sense. When latched these restraints have some play in them between locking points. In some cases this can be as much as an inch or more. As long as you can't lift the bar clear over your head, it's locked. The restraint does not need to be tight to be effective. You can have a some breathing room and still be safe. On this ride, as well as most rides, locked means the restraint can't get any looser. You can still pull the restraint tighter after it's locked.

You know, I talked to my friend and I have to say I think the OP may have had just this. The OP didn't say that it lifted all the way up, just that "it did not lock" and they had to push down really hard. Sounds like it really locked in looser than they wanted and thought it meant it wasn't locked?

What does getting up mean? I'd like some more info. Is the OP a larger person that had trouble because of that?