Stupid Guest Tricks

PART I

And there have been so many. Starting from the first day we brought the Monorails back online. People just love putting together the words "Monorail" and "crash" or some variation of the two. Some have simulated it with their hands (still more respectful than WESH) and many have shown just how bad a person they are through the things they said.

Thankfully, it seems that most of those people are gone, though we did have one at Epcot today, when it was me there with two CP's. Still, these people always were and are the minority.

I am going to start with the story that has the most shocking conduct from me, but never got a complaint. Of course, the other guests involved would never have let the guy... starting with his wife.

SG: Hey, you letting anyone ride in front?

Me: No, sir. We're not doing that right now.

SG: Oh, is this for the Monorail crash?

Me: That's part of it, sir.

SG (with a bit of a smile): What, did you lose some guests?

Me: No, sir. We lost a Cast Member and a friend

SG (with a wide open grin): Oh, I thought I could get more information from you than that!

Me: Thank you, sir, for your f*cking concern for our loss. Move along, now.

At this point, the SG was beaming at me, and I could see what was coming next.

Me: But before you go, I can see what you're about to do. My name is Big, Big Wallaby, in fact, from X-Town, Y-State, which is just outside of Z-City. You will find my managers crawling all over the Magic Kingdom and TTC monorail platforms. Please, let them know what I just said to you, and why I said it. There is a good chance they will thank you by revoking your tickets.

His wife smacked him upside the head, pulled him away from me, and apologized for his conduct. A bunch of people on the platform gathered around, and I thought there might be a mob killing right there in front of me. Thankfully, the guy left, and the others who heard the exchange and gathered around offered their support and condolences to myself and the other person working the platform. I shortly called a manager, who forgave all, asking that I simply not repeat that one particular word in future incidents.

In other instances, I have turned my back on guests mid-sentence, I have interrupted them, and asked them to stop talking about said incident. I have told other CM's to make sure they take care of themselves first, so they can better serve guests later. I had one gentleman who, when he asked laughingly if he would survive a trip to X-Destination, I told him absolutely. I would not dare put him in danger, so I was not going to allow him on the Monorail.

I have dropped power under trains more times than I can count because I am jumpy and I really don't trust guests near the trains when they do something stupid. Dropping power creates an e-stop.

PART II


I had one guy who, three days later, was at Contemporary on a business trip when I was working the platform. I had given the pilot all-clear to close up, and this guy jumped the gate to get onboard. I dropped power, caught the door, pointed out that I had stopped all nearby traffic for him, had shut down power, and brought a train coming into the building to a stop from 30 mph in under ten seconds, possibly causing pain to people onboard that other train. I ordered him to detrain and wait for the next Monorail. Others near him were overheard calling him names not to be repeated as I placed him at the end of the line. He asked for my name and boss's contact. I gave it to him, and, reading his name and company name from his conference tag (and writing it down as I did so), asked for his boss's number where they could be reached immediately. When he declined, I said I would find it as I have internet access, and if his company is big enough to use the Contemporary meeting space, they probably have a website as well. If I couldn't find any info on him, I would simply write to corporate. He ripped up the paper I had written up for him with my info and threw it on the ground.

I am so glad that we are getting back to the normal guest issues. I have had several offer their condolences, several have asked for details and respectfully understood when I did not give any. For each terrible person I encountered (SG is too nice a term for them), there were twenty nice people or more. As always, I understand that on this site, stories are of the minority... but it seems they really came out of the woodwork these last two weeks.

I had a similar experience to MPiglet... a guy who came up and melodramatically announced that oh, God, he didn't want to die. As with another incident I just talked about, I told this idiot that, as I didn't want to put his life in any extra danger, I would not allow him to ride. He asked what I meant. I told him he would need to find another way to get where he was going. He asked how he should get to the Contemporary (we were at the Polynesian), and I gave him a list of options. He asked if he could take the Monorail, and I told him that as long as I was on the platform, he would not board here. He asked when I would get a break, and I informed him (truthfully) that I had just arrived at the station. He finally left, his wife thanked me for putting me in his place (see a trend here?) and off they went. I am still not sure how they got there, but I know it was not by Monorail, unless they waited the three hours until I was finally bumped late.

There are more stories, but I do not have the inclination or energy to talk about them right now.

I am not happy at my conduct.... but at the same time, there were several times that these incidents happened and a manager was watching me, and often came to back me up against the guest in question, and occasionally join in.

I cannot stress how supportive the local management has been. They have been there with us every step. They've had managers come in who haven't worked in Monorails the entire time I've been there stepping up to the plate. They have overlooked several late arrivals because we finally got to sleep two hours before we were supposed to show up to work, or given ADO's when we didn't... all they asked is that we keep them informed.

My only problem has been with the EAP... in one class, the manager finally told the representative that they needed to leave before they said another word. When you call, you often get voicemail, which doesn't help when you need to talk RIGHT NOW.

The dreams I've had have been really weird, as they have been for many Pilots.

There is a sense of guilt that we all have, and I have had a new feeling of guilt grow on me since the incident as I come to a realization that I cannot share with anyone... it is truly awful.

Then, today I had a very difficult moment, when I was assigned to an Epcot train. I had not driven the Epcot beam before today. I pulled into Concourse almost unable to see as I was tearing up.

But, I also realize this is all part of the healing. I wish I could talk to you about it, but I can't for several reasons... just one being the gag order.

Thank you, everyone, for the support you have shown to all of us in Monorails. I will continue to pass that support along to my fellow Pilots..

I posted the thread that February started where people were telling their stories on the backstage bulletin board for Pilots... if you would like to write letters, send cards, etc. to the department, PM me and I will get you an address where you can send it and get it passed on.

Your posts were extremely difficult reads. Falling tears were hot and too heavy. I commend you for your strength as you carefully & delicately crafted each experience. We at DLR absolutely respect & support all of you in Mono Rails, & all over WDW. May God heal us.

Wallaby, thank you for sharing this with us. I can imagine it was difficult to write. Please know that you and your fellow CM's are still in our prayers daily.

I am beyond astonished about these people. I've read a lot of the stories posted by CMs about the SGs they encounter but I honestly have never been as totally floored as I am by these stories. I think the board needs a new category for guests who behave as Wallaby described because "SG" simply doesn't go far enough.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with such horrible people. I'll be at the World in 9 days and I promise I won't be one of them.

I think these SG should be removed by security and you do not have to deal with them.

If they continue to do this with you guys and gals, they shall be banned from all the parks for life.

I am appalled at the cruelty of these "people" :mad: What they are handing out is nothing less than verbal abuse, so you are correct to decline their access to the monorail.
I can relate to having anxiety regarding work responsibilities. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for you now. I hope that your managers are providing someone to speak with on an ongoing basis for everyone affected.

BW, "Magic" and "Guest Service" only goes so far.
You're doing good.
Hang in there, all of you.

T

I've lurked here for some time but never felt compelled to post anything. No new SG observations to share. Thankfully no apologies needed to be offered for being a SG.

But now I'm sitting here reading your post with tears about to fall.

Thank you to you and all of the other CM's that have to get up and go to work every day doing what you do to make those of us who visit the parks be able to forget about our troubles even while you are still greiving.

SG doesn't even come close to describing those people. And your behaviour and composure when dealing with them was better than I would have ever expect a person to have in that situation.

Everything I wanted to say has already been said here...but hang in there BW, you're doing great.