Lines (queues for non-U.S.)

[Supreme2k]

Working at a school, I had a chance to observe some children (K 5-6) waiting in line. What struck me as odd was their already learned behavior regarding the "line process". As the kids arrive for class, they form a line, which by default faces, let's say North. So we have a line of kids forming, when one boy shows up and gets in the middle of the line to be near his friend. The boy behind him proceeds to scuffle with him, since he has "cut", resulting in crying for both parties. Since it was music day, the children were told to do an about-face (South), so that now the kid behind is in front.

The kids do this every day, not knowing whether they will go North or South, but line up facing North by default, but knowing that either way is possible.

I have seen fights break out at amusement parks due to people cutting or even returning after someone saves their position so that they can go to the toilet.

Sometimes it seems that the position in line is more important than the prize at the end or the purpose of the line. As in the case of the kids, eing first means nothing, as the children sit at appointed seats (no "prize" at the end). With the amusement park attendees, I guess riding in a teacup for 30 seconds is worth being arrested.

[Capmaster]

I think it's more the inconsiderate behavior of other people than the ultimate prize.

Someone always comes along who feels that he is more entitled than the rest. These types usually cut in front of you while driving, weave all over while talking on their cell, and walk on the left side on a busy US sidewalk. They're "takers" and "users", without a care for anyone else.

And they're the ones who usually wake up in the back of an ambulance because they cut in front of a pissed-off Videohelp moderator who just found out the price of self-galvanizing patches doubled overnight ...and was waiting in line patiently to get the last of the cheaper ones

[ViRaL1]

I'm not sure what it is with some people. I've never cut in line at an amusement park, but if I was offered a the opportunity to be moved up in line without the chance of ejection, I'd welcome it. It's not about the 30 seconds in a teacup, it's about the 90 minutes in the heat preceding. With all the crowds at amusement parks and equpiment failures, even without riding anything twice it's doubtful that anyone gets to ride all the rides they came to enjoy in a day's visit. I'd recommend some kind of 'frequent flyer' upgrades or bonuses, like maybe shorter lines for those who either pay more or visit more often. Granted, it sucks for those who can only make it once a year, but they might be able to spring for the extras and get bumped up.

Just a thought.

[makntraks]

Working at a school, I had a chance to observe some children (K 5-6) waiting in line. What struck me as odd was their already learned behavior regarding the "line process". As the kids arrive for class, they form a line, which by default faces, let's say North. So we have a line of kids forming, when one boy shows up and gets in the middle of the line to be near his friend. The boy behind him proceeds to scuffle with him, since he has "cut", resulting in crying for both parties. Since it was music day, the children were told to do an about-face (South), so that now the kid behind is in front.

The kids do this every day, not knowing whether they will go North or South, but line up facing North by default, but knowing that either way is possible.

I have seen fights break out at amusement parks due to people cutting or even returning after someone saves their position so that they can go to the toilet.

Sometimes it seems that the position in line is more important than the prize at the end or the purpose of the line. As in the case of the kids, eing first means nothing, as the children sit at appointed seats (no "prize" at the end). With the amusement park attendees, I guess riding in a teacup for 30 seconds is worth being arrested.

Works the same way (sort of) at a theme park... all the #@$$#%@ try to cut... and I have to explain to my kids why thats a bad thing to do...

makntraks

p.s. I know what you say is truth (for the most part) to me.
I try to make lunch with my kids a couple of times a month... and I see this IRL..

[thecoalman]

I'd recommend some kind of 'frequent flyer' upgrades or bonuses, like maybe shorter lines for those who either pay more or visit more often. Granted, it sucks for those who can only make it once a year, but they might be able to spring for the extras and get bumped up.

Just a thought.

We were down Great Adveenture and for a extra $20 bucks and $10 per person they gave you beeper that you could beep the ride with. It would put you in a virtual line by estimating the wait. It would then beep you when it was your turn. Right to the front needless to say people withoput beepers were not to pleased.

Yopu were able to beep as many as you wanted, as soon as you got off the ride the next one you beeped showed up.


They should give them to everyone free of charge IMO. People wouold spend a lot more since they would have more time on there hands.

[ViRaL1]

I'd probably pay extra at an amusement park for 'first class' treatment. I don't think anyone has a right to be pissed about special privileges if all you have to do is pay for them.

[northcat_8]

What you witnessed is nothing more than selfishness. The person who cut in line saw his needs to be more important than everyone elses. He is special. Doing what I do, I see this behavior everyday.

Being that I am known to not discriminate or to be prejudice because I dislike all people equally...I have some kids who think because they may know me outside of school, they deserve some kind of special privledges or can get away with more in my presence than others. Which...could not be further from the truth. I have actually called a few kid's Dad's at work on the spot and the father said "LET ME SPEAK TO HIM " which was followed shortly by "I apologize for my behavior Mr. Northcat."

I tell you, teaching wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for all those ******* kids.

[ViRaL1]

That and parenting.

[JohnnyCNote]

The Russians developed their own line etiquette as a result of the old Soviet regime. I experienced this in the summer of '92, when I spent 6 weeks in Moscow as an exchange student.

I was waiting for some rotisserie chickens to finish, when suddenly at least half a dozen people stepped in front. They'd already established their places in line then moved on to other parts of the store. Evidently they'd wait in several lines simultaneously in the past.

I'm sure most of this has gone by now as the shortages don't really exist any more. They have plenty of stuff - it's just too expensive. Strangely enough, they will also cut in front of you at other places, totally ignoring any "line etiquette" at all, and crowd very aggressively on the Metro. So either they'd follow their waiting in line etiquette, or it was every man for himself.

It was also interesting to observe how their character changed once on the Metro. Typically Russians tend to be very friendly, but on the Metro, watch out!

[adam]

Disney World has a pretty effective method that they call Fast Pass. You take your admittance ticket to one of the many Fast Pass booths and sign up for a slot on a certain ride. You can only have 1 or maybe 2 scheduled at any time. When its your time you go straight to the ride and enter through a separate line where you don't wait at all. So basically, you just kill time waiting for other rides until your Fast Pass slot is open. Its a really good system, but so many people don't know about it and they get pissed when all these people cut them. I've seen fights break out because people didn't understand the process.

As far as kids fighting over their spot in line, that's because they are stupid. My wife is a 2nd grade teacher and I've visited her class many times. The smallest little things mean everything to them. They consistently bribe the kids to do their work by promising them they can take their shoes off for 5 mins during class. Again, they are just stupid. Eventually they grow out of it and fight over more important things, like who gets to ride the teacup first.

[JohnnyCNote]

Whenever they have special lines they need to have a separate entrance if possible to prevent fights, etc. I'm surprised Disney wouldn't have thought of this as experienced as they are.

I've lived in Florida most of my life and have not actually set foot on the paid part of DW since 1972. That whole area was nothing but orange groves and Orlando was a small town before DW arrived....

[adam]

They do have separate lines...sort of. You know how they got all those rows and they can run those rope rails to section things off? Well they have a separate line for the Fast Pass people, but everyone can see them going straight in and so there's always alot of commotion.

[thecoalman]

Whenever they have special lines they need to have a separate entrance if possible to prevent fights, etc. I'm surprised Disney wouldn't have thought of this as experienced as they are.

At Great Adventure you went up the exit ramp, they had a small line queue for the one with the beepers. The only trouble with it was that you didn't get to wait for special seats such as the front which I always do normally. Still worth it, we ate lunch, went on other rides whatever while we were in the virtual line. They only had it for large rides where the wait could be from 1 to 3 hours

[Dr. DOS]

Funniest thing I saw at Wally World was a group of Indians (not native American's) that received preferential treatment because their daughter was in wheel chair.

So... they get to the ride via a special 'VIP entrance' - there must have been 15 other people with the one little girl in the wheel chair. They wheel her down to the ride (everyone in the 'regular people' line is watching) and she literaly jumps out of the wheel chair and jumps into the boat (water ride).... You should have heard the 'regular people' .... F You... You suck.... Go Home.... They obviously where abusing the system... even the boat driver had a sour look on his face.

Some people are f'in amazing

[Supreme2k]

Funniest thing I saw at Wally World ...

They have rides at Walmart now?

[babyboo]

You As far as kids fighting over their spot in line, that's because they are stupid....

The smallest little things mean everything to them...

Again, they are just stupid.

Now thats a bit too harsh don't you think? They are just fighting for their independence in a world where Mommy & Daddy make all of the decisions for them. The smallest things mean everything to them because they are basically naive and innocent...and I honestly believe that at that age (5 or 6) that they shouldn't be any other way. Soon enough they will grow up and have to deal with the world as it is today. Let them enjoy it while they still can.

Only recently I had it out with a cashier in the local Disney store because she didn't like the fact that my 5 year old son who was waiting patiently in line to pay for his copy of Lion King 2 had a big smile on his face. She said (and I am paraphrasing)..."Look at him...he doesn't have a care in the world. He doesn't care if the world blew up tomorrow. He's just happy that he's getting his damn video" What an *******.

[jimmalenko]

Well, I'm about to re-live the theme park line-jumping experience when I fly North on Sunday for 2 weeks. Thanks to all for their ideas

[Dr. DOS]

Well, I'm about to re-live the theme park line-jumping experience when I fly North on Sunday for 2 weeks. Thanks to all for their ideas

Do the wheel chair thing.... it will save you a ton of time... just limp a little

[babyboo]

Do the wheel chair thing.... it will save you a ton of time... just limp a little

[jimmalenko]

Well, I'm about to re-live the theme park line-jumping experience when I fly North on Sunday for 2 weeks. Thanks to all for their ideas

Do the wheel chair thing.... it will save you a ton of time... just limp a little

...Oh but where to find a wheelchair .....

I know ..... I'll act a bit distressed in the heat. Surely the onsite first-aiders will dump me in a wheelchair and send me on my way. perfect !


BTW, I am joking

[adam]

Now thats a bit too harsh don't you think? They are just fighting for their independence in a world where Mommy & Daddy make all of the decisions for them. The smallest things mean everything to them because they are basically naive and innocent...and I honestly believe that at that age (5 or 6) that they shouldn't be any other way. Soon enough they will grow up and have to deal with the world as it is today. Let them enjoy it while they still can.

I totally agree with you. You used more delicate words but we are saying the exact same thing. I've got a kid on the way and I can't wait to see all the stupid things he/she will do. Its refreshing.

[adam]

Funniest thing I saw at Wally World was a group of Indians (not native American's) that received preferential treatment because their daughter was in wheel chair.

...she literaly jumps out of the wheel chair and jumps into the boat.

That is an all time new low. Imagine if you actually were handicapped and saw someone do this. That would be the ultimate insult.

[shoozleboy]

Add my pet peeve about amusement parks being abused:

teenagers who rent the scooters and motorized wheel chairs (which are intended for people who really need them! ) and use them to 'cruise' the park all day - because their asses are too lazy to walk!

Pretty frustrating for people who are stuck without the assisted movement devices because they have all been rented for the day. I blame the park staff for allowing that to happen.... it's pretty obvious that the kid renting the chair is in no need for it... I know this gets abused BIG TIME at Disney... seen it for my own eyes. Pathetic!

[northcat_8]

Well, I'm about to re-live the theme park line-jumping experience when I fly North on Sunday for 2 weeks. Thanks to all for their ideas

Do the wheel chair thing.... it will save you a ton of time... just limp a little

HEY that is my Wal-mart parking technique.

[jimmalenko]

It's open-source now

Bite me, northcat_8