NEW Policy with MF seatbelts?

the seat belt rule sucks period. I really do feel bad for the people who can't ride because Millennium Force is like there main attraction. Erikjc, they're not going to relax the rule especially comming into the busy part of the season. In my opinion, booting people off the ride because of there size is discriminating and very humiliating to those people who paid good money to ride the darn thing! and to trhose of you who say that there are many other coasters to ride, well, M.F. is a one of a kind ride that can't be found anywhere else on the planet. i mean seriously, who want to go to Japan to ride a 300ft coaster that is unsafe. i think that this comming off season, they ned to redo the M.F. and TTD trains so that the ride is not limited to those who are anerexic.

Erikjc, they are not relaxing the rules. I was asked to use the test seat, as were 3 other people near the front of the line. Some who did get by there without testing were sadly disappointed, since I saw 3 people kicked off the train after waiting an hour.

Use the test seat if you are big!

Made my one and only trip to Cedar Point, TTD again down on my visit. I sat in the test seat when I first got in the park, and was able to get an inch of slack, the employee said enjoy your ride, but I was actually there just to test, didn't ride. The next time through after a rain, I was not able to pull any slack, and I tried one other time with no luck, so I didn't get to ride. I'm 6'4", 245 lbs, and 42" waist so it wasn't a suprise, except that I was able to get the slack once. The belt was hip bone to hip bone, so I don't think a diet would have helped. Test sat in the dragster seat and pulled 2" fairly easily, but as I said it was down.

I do not see any relaxing of the seat belt policy since Memorial Day.

However, a member of our family that was denied access to the line on Memorial Day weekend because she could not pull enough slack up on the belt after buckling it, rode three times this past weekend (4th of July). The secret to pulling up enough slack lies with being sure the belt is not twisted in any way and rocking it back in forth after buckling it. Something she did not do (nor was told to do by Peggy) Memorial Day weekend.

She claims to have lost only three pounds since Memorial Day and is still on the 'bubble' at 193, 5'6" and a size 16. However, since Memorial Day, exercises to trim buttocks and thighs were done on an irregular basis, but apparently helped. She wasn't even asked to use the test seat this past weekend.

However, she claims that the real secret to not being asked to use the test seat was the purchase of a minimizer bra (suggested to all buxom ladies) which gives the impression of being slimmer upon entering the line.

Good luck ladies!

I understand the frustration of those who can't ride MF, I also would be mad if I couldn't ride. We all know the deal here, and I don't understand why there are 20 pages of people saying the same thing. We all know the real reason they changed the restraints. We all know that they were forced to.

If you are able to get the seatbelt buckled, but are unable to pull that inch of slack out, here is a trick that might work:

Place your hand inside the red strap, rock it back in forth in the same direction that the side bar runs (ie towards and away your body in the direction the track runs), and pull at the same time.

This is the suggestion most of the crew members will give you if you ask for any tips.

Just my 2 cents, wiggle the loop hard left and right, the ride op at the front told me to do so. Once on, I was only checked once out of 3 times for enough slack.

A funny story, the first time on, I was politely asked to try the test seat, which I fully expected. The guy in front of me didn't make it, and his wife was really upset. As I siad, the ride op was very helpful in getting me to get the slack. As I stood up in triumph, the wife very loudly said "well, that isn't fair, HE gets to ride". Yes, I know it was an insult regarding my beer belly appearance, but I was so happy I just looked at her and laughed. It is kind of funny seeing the line of "Mr. Beer Belly" contestents lined up ( I had 2 more after me), but I do feel for the ones who can't make the test seat, or ignore the test seat, and get kicked off at the train.

I'd like to thank this website and this thread in particular for alerting me to the weight limit, and getting me in motion to lose 22 pounds before my trip in late June. I am still on the Atkins diet, and have dropped 5 more since.

I apologize if I insulted anyone with my above story, but there is some humor in it, since I only just barely made it. CP and MF mean a lot t me, so I got motovated and took the weight off!

CurrentlyDownToFillInTheBlank: you don't understand why there are 20 pages to this thread? It's probably because it's affecting so many people. And everyone has an opinion. You enjoy sharing your views (105 posts in one month) - apparently other people do as well.

I never heard of this website until after I returned from my CP trip in May. I had no idea there was a new seatbelt policy. Wish I'd know about Pointbuzz before I went. If I'd read this post it would have saved me the trip. Maybe it will help someone else in that regard. Maybe it will put someone's mind at ease when they hear of people that are about their size who rode with no problem. I think it's a helpful post.

The forums have something of interest for just about everyone. I personally find the posts about Dragster boring. "It's up, it's down, why is it down?, it's down more than it's up, no it's not" ... I find that kind of pointless, so I just don't read those threads anymore. But I'm sure some people like them, so that's great.

I think the topic warrants as many pages as needed, since this site motivated me to lose weight so I could ride. I hope it help other people. If you aren't a person of "exceptional" size, then you wouldn't understand our frustrations. I believe all of the posters on this site share a common bond, and that is we love CP. When new rules are enforced, it hurts some of us, and it is good to have a forum to talk about it.

I am a former lineman as well. I weigh about 247, but I'm 6'4" so my weight is pretty evenly distributed, at first glance I look nowhere near 240+ pounds. That being said, I was able to ride MF yesterday with about an inch and a half of slack, and I could have gotten more if I needed to, I just wanted to be able to breathe.

I hope people find other motivations for losing weight besides riding a rollercoaster. How about prevention of heart disease and early death? How about meeting your grand children?

Hey, any reason is a good reason to lose weight... if you're overweight.

I like how many people (who I assume are not overweight) think it is really easy to shed off pounds. I know I'm overweight, so starting in January I cut back on my eating and tried to eat healthier whenever possible, and worked out for 3-4 hours a week in my university's rec center. After 4 months of this, I'd lost a grand total of 4 pounds, and 0 inches along the waistline. Many people are doomed based on genetics alone, and there's nothing that can be done about that.

Actually, very few people are doomed based on genetics. The vast majority of people who attempt to lose weight, but do not, fail because they eat more than they realize.

My advice to you would be to keep a food and exercise journal. I bet you'd be surprised at what you actually eat. Also, make an appointment with a registered dietician to help you make sense of it all.

Chief,

What difference does it make on why you lose weight, as long as you are doing it. Obviously treating your heart and body is the most important thing, but who cares what the motovation is to start the weight loss. I could have said to hell with CP and the weight restrictions, and never lost weight, or I could have lost 22 lbs, and continue to lose more. The lost term benefits for my health is where I really come out a winner, but the view form the top of the MF ain't bad either!

Peace,

T

---

Actually, very few people are doomed based on genetics. The vast majority of people who attempt to lose weight, but do not, fail because they eat more than they realize.

---

This is so true WALT anyone who has read up on nutrition knows that the whole "Genetics thing" has been blown way out of proportion. Amercia eats way too much and way the wrong stuff. As I mentioned a while back I recently lost 30 lbs over the winter after wicked twister was a tight fit. I had been chubby my whole life. Diets do not work. You must change your life as a whole. I recommend the book "Body for Life" to anyone on this chat. it works trust me at one point I was down 28 lbs. in 12 weeks and I am stronger than ever now. it takes commitment though. Coasters are worth it. and a better life too. *** Edited 7/7/2004 8:46:35 PM UTC by coasterguy76***

---

I like how many people (who I assume are not overweight) think it is really easy to shed off pounds

---

Like I said, I really sympathize with people who can't ride. If the restraints were changed last year, there is no way that I would have been able to ride. Last year, I had a stroke, at the age of 23. I am 5'2" and I weighed 212. Now I weigh 146, I have lost 66 pounds. My Dr. suggested Atkins. It's not as restricting as you think, and contrary to popular belief, you don't only eat meat. My cholesterol is great, my BP is great, and I feel great. I can live without bread, pasta, and sugar for the rest of my life just knowing that I finally feel good about myself, and I feel better. I have tried everything to lose weight. Nothing else worked. I have extreme obisety on both sides of my family, I have tried to convince them that Atkins is not only good for you, but anyone can lose weight on it. But they just don't care. Same thing with my husband. He is 6'4" and last year he was 310 and could ride. Now he is 200. He is at his goal weight, but I am going to lose 20 more pounds. Nothing in the world feels better than to finally feel good about yourself.

For anyone who can't lose weight, get the book Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution from the library. It was a lifesaver for me. Literally.

We would both be upset if we couldn't ride, but I wouldn't put the balme on anyone except the employee at SFNE who didn't check the restraints.

I didn't mean to offend anyone, Ladybug. I am sincerly sorry if I did. It totally was not my intent. I don't think that my number of posts means anything other than I love CP! THIS post is for the people who know the struggle with trying to lose weight. I am just trying to share some insight with those who can't lose but really want to. Most who can't lose are insulin resistant, and that is where Atkins comes into play. *** Edited 7/8/2004 2:17:32 PM UTC by CurrentlyDownDueTo FillInTheBlank***

Good post CDDTFB.

I am 27 pounds down since May 23 due to Atkins, and I am rarely hungry. Just take your Metamusil!

Good for you, TMAN! I eat a lot of veggies, melon, and berries, so I don't need it! There are also low carb tortillas made by La Tortilla Factory, they have 3 net carbs and a lot of fiber. Be creative, you can use them in many ways! My local Kroger carries them, and they sell them online! Sorry to get off topic Jeff!

I went to Cp on last friday and the ride ops didn't even check my seatbelt. They just shoved my lap bar down farther than it should have gone.