The Knott's Berry Farm (KBF) Discussion Thread

[DenDenFabulously FIERCE!]

In 2007, Knott’s maintenance division asked Intamin to clarify the inspection schedule, but the company never responded, Cal-OSHA spokesman Dean Fryer said.

Intamin didn't respond? So you can spend $20 Million on a coaster and the manufacturer just leaves you after that?

I think that's an unfair statement to make. There are many different ways that "not responding" could be interpreted. I would seriously doubt that Intamin just flat out "ignored" the client.

Being 3 weeks past the maximum implied inspection time frame is totally Knott's fault, and 100% of the blame should be on them. But I have to agree with nitrofan. Even if it wasn't Intamin "ignoring" a client, it takes them over 2 years to answer a simple safety question that was multiple choice with only 2 answers, and they still didn't answer it? Do they not know the product well enough that they couldn't answer it immediately, or that the manual was so confusing they had to do studies? Heck, Intamin just should have responded immediately with the "1 month" time frame, then everyone would have been covered. It's absurd.

[eblTPR's Olden Goldie]

To austinlee: You didn't ride Pony Express?

But you got so many rides on GhostRider...it must be running fairly well then because normally it can beat you up pretty well.

To nitrofan: That ride operator sounds like a real snot. Whenever I ride a wooden coaster with a seat belt, I always put them up over the sides when I get out so that the next person to ride won't sit on them and can get to them easily. Every ride op who sees me doing that says "thanks."

Eric

[Jew"It's not small, but it is very 'average.'"]

^^I'd actually like to see the full report. I wonder if that claim is based on statements from Knott's, or if there are actual records of this happening(fax/email/etc)?

I think that's a key issue, because in all my experience in the industry, I have never heard of such a communication breakdown between a manufacturer and a park. Typically there is constant communication between the two parties, issuing service bulletins, selling replacement parts, help troubleshooting problems, etc. Also, maintenance schedules are usually very clearly defined in the documentation they provide (state regulators and insurance companies wouldn't have it any other way).

Another interesting thing I'm curious about: why did it take until 2007 to first notice the discrepancy? In order to have been in compliance with the state, they should have had to create maintenance checksheets to document all the scheduled maintenance they do. And the state checks those every year. So someone had to have had an idea about how often to inspect the cable since 2002! And no-one even thought to double check this after the TTD cable snapped?

[themeparkman25I get wet for Manta!]

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[fatdaddyI'm 39 and can't find the Shift Key]

Just to be fair, i didn't see anything, anywhere about anyone "jumping down" anyones throat. It simply says they asked and didn't get a rresponse In reality the cable must need to be inspected monthly, or at least it should, i can't see making a spec ,that when passed by only three weeks, you get a ride failure.

By the way i am kicking myself for talking myself out of going today, because i didn't want to drive home in traffic. I went to target instead, just brilliant.

[RCFreakTPR's Favorite Beaner]

^Exactly, the state could have asked, "And how often does the manufacturer say to inspect the cable," and Knott's would be all "Uh, about that..."

[fpsphilDid my donkey title just change???]

I rode Xcelerator twice today! The ride reopened today around 5 P.M.

^Nice meeting you as well! Looks like somebody should have hung out at the park for just a little longer

hey i think i saw you today too, I was the guy who hung out for like 3 hours waiting for Xcelerator to reopen

[themeparkman25I get wet for Manta!]

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[sfmman2000What would donkeys be like on the moon?]

And, I am very surprised to learn that rides continue to operate despite being overdue for an inspection.
Are guests now supposed to be burdened with the task of determining whether each attraction has been inspected per the manufacturer's schedule?

The following rides are closed: ...
The following rides are open, but overdue for inspection. Ride at your own risk: ??

I think that a lot of machines (rides and others) don't get inspected as they should.

Next time you're in an elevator, check out the paper on the wall that states when the permit expires. Chances are it will be way past expiration and in need of an inspection...

[fatdaddyI'm 39 and can't find the Shift Key]

Really your more at risk driving to there, than riding anything. But, in all honesty we all just assume, as americans, that the government has someone slithering around making sure everything is "OK" to ride. When in actuality, just like in this case, until something goes wrong, allot of this stuff goes unchecked. I mean aside from trying not to kill people, the best reason for a park to be safe is to keep insurance costs down.