New SGT -- call Sheriff on CM behavior

[mapo]

OK, holidays are officially over according to the calendar at least

Now, here is a new one...yeah, go figure, after all these years a new SGT.

So, NYE at MK, operations has roped off all of the main bridges to the Castle Hub cause well, there just is no more room! Plain and simple, no more guests can fit in the Castle Hub so operations closed down the major bridges to access hub. Sounds like a good safety procedure.

Of course, everyone on the "wrong" side of the ropes either does not speak English (yeah, right) or has a family member in the Hub. (Suuuuureeeee you do!)

One father would not take no for an answer. So he called 911. Yup, 911.

Seems that the man has an unattended child left in the Castle Hub by himself. The cast member running the "rope off" operation has hit the wall. Before I got there, I am sure that yelling and cursing occurred. The lead CM even threatened guest with being trespassed. Hmmmm, fun situation.

So they send me, the voice of reason. UH OH...

I size him up, I have security walk him to hub, and they locate child. Seems that the father was telling the truth and had left child on his own.

Worse, the lead just did not have the common sense to call this supposed father on his claim and solve the problem. Instead, the lead escalated the issue to the point of forcing a parent to call the Sheriff. Yeah, our standards for picking leads seems to be right in line with how we pick some managers.

So, perhaps this is an instance of a Stupid CM Trick....while so many guests do indeed lie to cast, sometimes they just might be telling the truth. Of course, now I have to spend a LOT of time explaining to security and Orange County that the family is together and the child is with parent.

Moral of the story: Try listening to the guest. Yes, you just might find a guest that you can help...you just might find a guest that is not full of crap.....you just might find your reason for being a cast member in the beginning.

OH, and remember, two stupid people just make even more stupidity. Try not to be the stupid one.

mapo

[Big Wallaby]

I dunno, I always had a crap-o-meter going, and there were times that it just didn't go off. It doesn't hurt the coord to escort said dad into the Hub to find the child.

Again, I look at how I used to run things on my bus when I drove. If someone was getting on with a stroller, I would apologize first for what I had to do next. Never had a problem, where on several occasions I watched managers that I respected most of the time get into a tizzy.

[WEDFan]

I think I'd at least be tempted to say something like,

"Okay, let me find someone to help you find your lost child. Once your child is safe, though, you won't be able to remain in the hub due to capacity."

See if they still want to keep to the story.

[Big Wallaby]

See if they still want to keep to the story.

Actually, that's perfect.

[bookbabe]

I think the dad, even though he was telling the truth, still qualifies as a major SG. After all, what sane person leaves a kid by themselves in the Hub on NYE at (I'm assuming) night as the parade/fireworks are about to begin? In those crowds? I wouldn't separate a party of adults because I'd be worried about finding each other again. Is he nuts?

[Goofyernmost]

I think the dad, even though he was telling the truth, still qualifies as a major SG. After all, what sane person leaves a kid by themselves in the Hub on NYE at (I'm assuming) night as the parade/fireworks are about to begin? In those crowds? I wouldn't separate a party of adults because I'd be worried about finding each other again. Is he nuts?

Let's just put it this way... he will probably not be getting the Father of the Year award.

[WEDFan]

So, I wasn't clear. Did a sheriff get involved. I mean, I'm having trouble hearing that 911 call in my imagination.

Yes, I'm at the busiest theme park in the world on just about the busiest night of the year, and I left my child unattended in the most crowded part of the park, and now the employees have closed it off to more people and won't let me through! THEY ARE ENDANGERING MY CHILD!"

That might be a LEO response the guy wasn't really looking for.

[mapo]

So, I wasn't clear. Did a sheriff get involved. I mean, I'm having trouble hearing that 911 call in my imagination.

Yes, I'm at the busiest theme park in the world on just about the busiest night of the year, and I left my child unattended in the most crowded part of the park, and now the employees have closed it off to more people and won't let me through! THEY ARE ENDANGERING MY CHILD!"

That might be a LEO response the guy wasn't really looking for.

I think you are giving the caller too much umm, honesty in their call. I doubt that anyone discloses all the circumstances in a way that would reflect poorly on themselves. I know I try to glaze over things from time to time.

Frankly, the circumstances that got the two of them separated are none of my concern at that point. Solving the problem is the only thing that matters. Not solving a problem like that puts more people at risk, period.

I just find it ridiculous that it had to escalate to a level that is mind boggling.

LISTEN to your guest. Really LISTEN. It is the FIRST principle of good Guest Service.

mapo