Unless the 16 year old operator was in charge of inpsections, what does a cable breaking have to do with his operation of it? Was he operating it negligently causing the cable to snap?
The operator could have been 45 years old and it wouldn’t have mattered in this case BUT there are numberous other things that can take place involving an amusement park that necessitates a more mature operator.
Nothing about age would have prevented this accident. What numerous other things do you have in mind that require a more mature (which knows no age limit) operator?
I believe the operator was responsible for inspecting the ride at the begining of the day (This from the previous article a few weeks ago). If thats the case I definately feel an older (hopefuly) more mature operator would take the risks seriously. We all know how teenagers view risks….of course it’ll never happen to them!
Sorry folks – I don’t think just because you turn 18 you’re qualified to run any amusement device. Trust me, as a mother of an “almost 18 year old by the skin of his teeth”, I wouldn’t want him to be responsible for any piece of equipment that holds the lives and limbs of another person in his hands.
Not that at 18 years old people don’t think you’re responsible, I know 16 year olds that have more on the ball than some 18 year olds, and some 18 year olds that are more mature than 21 year olds. But facts are the facts. What happens when their “buddies” show up to chat – can you say… Distractions?
Some states require operators to determin whether an individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, permit riders on the equipment depending on what they are wearing, etc.. What 18 year old is going to refuse admission to a 40 year old? What happens to them when they make an error in judgement?
Another “feel good”, knee jerk reaction to a tragedy. This injury was caused by a cable that snapped. The age of the operator made no difference. There are maintenance people paid to inspect the mechanical operation and equipment that bear the responsibility. The operator’s control and judgement of a ride is to push a button starting the ride cycle. Why can’t people focus on the root casue?
In what way is this the “right” thing to do? the rides are inspected everyday, I think by maintenance staff, not the actual operator. the operators job is to put people on the ride, make sure they safety equipment is engaged and then get them off. I don’t understand how this will do anything to help.
As for people over 18 not working-a. why deprive under 18’s the chance to work? (I’ve been to several amusement parks in the last 4 months and there are lots of under 18’s working at them) and b. the country wide unemployment rate just went “up” to 5.1%. 6% is considered full employment. Anyone that wants to work can find a job (even if its not their dream job). Finding qualified workers, for any job is getting more difficult all the time.
So what exactly happens between age 18 and 21 that makes this the right decision? It wasn’t an operator error. Is it really that much of a difference between an 18 and 21 year old? Probably not, unless you are a politician trying to make people feel better because you are “doing something.”
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I applaud the passing of this bill…now we just need to get the other states that don’t have this in place to make the change.
I don’t care if there are ZERO fatal accidents involving those under 18 OR if the talent pool for operators is reduced. This is THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
(Pretty sure there are plenty of people 18 or over that are not working.)
Unless the 16 year old operator was in charge of inpsections, what does a cable breaking have to do with his operation of it? Was he operating it negligently causing the cable to snap?
The operator could have been 45 years old and it wouldn’t have mattered in this case BUT there are numberous other things that can take place involving an amusement park that necessitates a more mature operator.
Nothing about age would have prevented this accident. What numerous other things do you have in mind that require a more mature (which knows no age limit) operator?
I believe the operator was responsible for inspecting the ride at the begining of the day (This from the previous article a few weeks ago). If thats the case I definately feel an older (hopefuly) more mature operator would take the risks seriously. We all know how teenagers view risks….of course it’ll never happen to them!
Only 28 states have any sort of legislation or mandatory inspection –
Check out:
http://www.saferparks.org/regulation/state/
Select a state and revile in the madness.
KY is only scratching the surface.
Sorry folks – I don’t think just because you turn 18 you’re qualified to run any amusement device. Trust me, as a mother of an “almost 18 year old by the skin of his teeth”, I wouldn’t want him to be responsible for any piece of equipment that holds the lives and limbs of another person in his hands.
Not that at 18 years old people don’t think you’re responsible, I know 16 year olds that have more on the ball than some 18 year olds, and some 18 year olds that are more mature than 21 year olds. But facts are the facts. What happens when their “buddies” show up to chat – can you say… Distractions?
Some states require operators to determin whether an individual is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, permit riders on the equipment depending on what they are wearing, etc.. What 18 year old is going to refuse admission to a 40 year old? What happens to them when they make an error in judgement?
It should be 21 across the board –
Another “feel good”, knee jerk reaction to a tragedy. This injury was caused by a cable that snapped. The age of the operator made no difference. There are maintenance people paid to inspect the mechanical operation and equipment that bear the responsibility. The operator’s control and judgement of a ride is to push a button starting the ride cycle. Why can’t people focus on the root casue?
In what way is this the “right” thing to do? the rides are inspected everyday, I think by maintenance staff, not the actual operator. the operators job is to put people on the ride, make sure they safety equipment is engaged and then get them off. I don’t understand how this will do anything to help.
As for people over 18 not working-a. why deprive under 18’s the chance to work? (I’ve been to several amusement parks in the last 4 months and there are lots of under 18’s working at them) and b. the country wide unemployment rate just went “up” to 5.1%. 6% is considered full employment. Anyone that wants to work can find a job (even if its not their dream job). Finding qualified workers, for any job is getting more difficult all the time.
So what exactly happens between age 18 and 21 that makes this the right decision? It wasn’t an operator error. Is it really that much of a difference between an 18 and 21 year old? Probably not, unless you are a politician trying to make people feel better because you are “doing something.”