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[sdcfan88]

I never knew they had staffing issues. I figured help was a dime a dozen. I would be thrilled to be a part of the train crew if I lived closer to the park. lol

[Ozark Woodcarver]

Wildfire store.

[Citydweller84]

I never knew they had staffing issues. I figured help was a dime a dozen. I would be thrilled to be a part of the train crew if I lived closer to the park. lol

The entire area has had staffing issues this year. Well into June just about everywhere you looked was still advertising that they were hiring. The McDonald's in the area were all offering a $250 sign on bonus if you stayed for 90 days. The company I work for down here has had a difficult time finding people as well.

I think its just a product of the environment. People are tired of getting laid off in the slow season or being underpaid, which is a big problem down here. Also the locals are just lazy. Many just do the bare minimum to keep their unemployment.

[shavethewhales]

^It's gotten so hard in the last decade to survive on minimum wage without the added difficulty of seasonal schedules. I can't imagine even attempting it anymore. Working at SDC used to be something people mused about doing in retirement, but now it's sounding more and more like an unfriendly corporate environment that chews people up and spits them out with little to show for it. Just like everywhere else.

Sad to hear about what they have to deal with for the train robbery. Going to be more and more cuts to keep the bottom line in place at the expense of quality.

[chittlins]

I never knew they had staffing issues. I figured help was a dime a dozen. I would be thrilled to be a part of the train crew if I lived closer to the park. lol

The entire area has had staffing issues this year. Well into June just about everywhere you looked was still advertising that they were hiring. The McDonald's in the area were all offering a $250 sign on bonus if you stayed for 90 days. The company I work for down here has had a difficult time finding people as well.

I think its just a product of the environment. People are tired of getting laid off in the slow season or being underpaid, which is a big problem down here. Also the locals are just lazy. Many just do the bare minimum to keep their unemployment.

Entitlements, living off the government pays better. 96 million are not participating in the workforce  yet unemployment is supposedly low.

[Dewayne]

Ticks me off that I have to work for very little money, plus money to let others sit on their butt. I just took a second job so I can save up money. Plus I dont even have a girlfriend or any kids.

[Duelist]

Sad to hear about what they have to deal with for the train robbery. Going to be more and more cuts to keep the bottom line in place at the expense of quality.
[/quote]

They did have 2 robbers both days this weekend but it was a truncated script- ie No "Ma" in the script.

[History Buff]

They did have 2 robbers both days this weekend but it was a truncated script- ie No "Ma" in the script.

We noticed the lack of Ma, last week, as well.

[sdcfan88]

It could also be because of the hoards of the younger crowds currently at the park who don't care enough to appreciate the skit for what it is. But I am just speculating.

[sirwillow]

They did have 2 robbers both days this weekend but it was a truncated script- ie No "Ma" in the script.

If there is no Ma, then they are on the short show.  If the train leaves every 30 minutes, then they are more than likely looking for Ma (unless there aren't any people on the train or another issue comes up).  If they are leaving every 20 minutes, then they will cut out the "Ma" portion of the robbery in order to shorten the show a little bit and get the train back quicker, so they can dispatch more often.

[History Buff]

When there was no Ma, though, the crowd was quite low.  A short show might be indicative of an anticipated crowd, rather than an actual crowd.  Would that be accurate?

[sirwillow]

When there was no Ma, though, the crowd was quite low.  A short show might be indicative of an anticipated crowd, rather than an actual crowd.  Would that be accurate?

Nope, it's based on either how many people are actually on the train, or the schedules they are running.  They won't go to the 20 minute schedule until they are leaving with a full train and have 50-75 people left behind that couldn't get on.  If they aren't leaving people behind, they will stay on the longer cycle of a train every 30 minutes and the long show.

If the crowd was quite low, then more than likely there was not a good candidate to be Ma on the train (there are certain things that need to be place for it).  If there's no candidate, they will skip ma.

If they are running on a 20 minute schedule there will be no ma.  This is usually because it's busy and they are trying to get in an extra train every hour (3 instead of 2).  However if things have happened during the day to put their time table off, they may run a 20 (no ma, short show) to "catch up" and get back on schedule.

This may have changed now, but on really hot days they might sometimes run 20's/ short shows just because it is so hot that people on the train are miserable and not enjoying the show, so they cut it short to "put them out of their misery."  There's no reason to do a long extended show with Ma if the passengers are not enjoying it and not into the show at all.

The last train of the day is ALWAYS a short, no ma show.