Hired on RipCord for 2009

EDIT: RipCord 2010

Hey everyone, I just joined the forum. I just got hired yesterday for RipCord and was wondering if anyone else has worked it before?

I am going to try to stay at Commons, mainly because of the A/C and it looks a little newer.

I have worked there for three seasons and it is definitely one of the best places to work at Cedar Point. I have encountered very few people who did not enjoy their time working at RipCord. It may seem difficult or challenging at first, but the more you do it, the easier it becomes. You will also be working at Skyscraper, RipCord's neighbor in Challenge Park, usually for 1 hour shifts at a time with another employee.

I'm not sure at this point if I will be back there again this season, but I can direct you to some people who are and answer any specific questions you might have.

How many different kind of shifts are there at RipCord? And how hard is the test for "site controller"?

RipCord opens at 11am, except for during HalloWeekends, when the schedule changes a bit. If you are working an opening shift, you must be there by 10:30am.

Typically, there are just a few different shifts, but you can be asked to come in at an odd time, stay later, or leave early depending on the need for staffing.

The most common shifts are: Open to 5, 5 to close, 1 to 8, and Open to Close. Challenge Park also stays open an hour later than Cedar Point, so while you may typically start working an hour later than the park, you stay an hour later.

Also, in June and July you have to do "pool opens" once a week whereyou come in at 8am before going to RipCord and help clean the resortpools (skimming, folding towels, sweeping, etc.). This seems odd for people working in Challenge Park, but you will find that Challenge Park is under the same management as Soak City, the beach, resort pools, and pet farm, so sometimes you have to give a hand to different departments.

For the site controller test, there is a lot of information to know, but everyone starts training for it right away and the test is usually in the second week of June. There is a written portion and a walk-through physical test. The written one is the hardest because the questions come straight from the manual, but you'll go through the most important things and have study sessions for it. Last year everyone passed except one or two people, and one retook the test and passed the second time. Also, if you don't pass or do not want to take the test, you are still permitted to operate the ride in all positions, you are just not allowed to test ride or be one of the designated "site controllers" who must be on site at all times during operations.

As another former Ripcord employee, I can tell you you've landed a pretty sweet job. Three7five covered most of the basics you really need to know, but I'm also happy to try to answer any questions you may have.

The site controller test is really nothing to worry about. As long as you know the positions (which is easy because if you start at the beginning of the season, you'll have been working the positions 6 days a week for more than a month before the test) and you take some time to study the manual you'll have no problems. I suggest teaming up with some other new employees to study the material, and you can always ask returning site controllers if you have questions.

If you're working through Halloweekends, I might try to make a couple of return appearances if staffing permits. :)

Well I am only going to be there from June 10th - August 20th because of school. And I live about 7 hours away (Milwaukee, WI). From the sounds of it though, it seems like it's going to be a fun job. I have done life guarding for 4 years all year at 2 places now and I am looking for a change. However, I told them that I would be interested in filling in for lifeguards when needed for some extra hours.

So when you are working, are certain people in charge of different areas? For example, selling tickets, camera operator, ect. Or does everyone rotate? I ask because I am going to school for Visual Communication along with Video Production and I love to film.

Hi, I'm Brandon. I've worked at RipCord in 2006 and 2007 before switching to rides inside the park.

RipCord is a pretty neat ride, and it can be a lot of fun. It's very laid back, and you can interact with the guests a lot more than you can inside the park.

All you will be doing is the 4 positions as a ride host on RipCord, plus SkyScraper. Challenge Park will have another team to sell the tickets, and Cedar Point has another company doing the photos and videos. All you have to do is put the ride to work.

Sometimes though, Challenge Park will need you to fill in for the other areas..like go karts, or lifeguarding, and myabe selling tickets sometimes. It all becomes very easy after the first week.

And the test is also easy, but it can be stressful. If you take the time to learn all 4 positions properly and understand, then you will get pass the physical test. The written test is 50 multiple choice questions, but those come from the ride's manual, which is pretty thick..but you'll do just fine.

I am on this season's Ripcord crew as well!

I was just hired for RipCord too.
First season, excited!

Add me to the list for this summer!

I was just hired for RipCord 2010! I'm so excited, I've never worked at a park before! Is it fun?!?!?!?!?!

;)

Might want to hide your signature next time. ;)

Oh that's my brother's work experience, I've never even been to Cedar Point. How good is Riddler's Revenge? And is Texas Giant as good as I've heard? How about Demon Drop? I think that could be my favorite ride!

Demon Drop is the best ride ever! CP will surely loose the "Best Park" Golden Ticket now that they've gotten rid of it. ;)