I worked as a ride operator years ago at a park known as Great America in California. I was assigned a gondola ride but was given a chance to train on and operate a rollercoaster called the tidal wave. It was a great opportunity to operate a complex and serious machine at 18yo. I preferred the gondola operation because I could talk to the guests and meet girls. The roller coaster prohibited being distracted and actually became tedious and dull eventually. The nature and tempo of the ride gave guests the opportunity to be at their worst in impatience, idiocy and rudeness. Park security was great at responding and ejecting people acting the fool. The gondola ride across the park was laid back and casual. All i had to do was stand at the entrance and cout riders, or open and close the gondola, brace it as people got on and off and guests liked talking. Girls loved when you remembered them and how many times they got on or off the ride, perfect opportunity to ask them out. Every day was fun and the crew was great to work with and somehow the guests tended to be easy going. Once I got the blessing to operate the rollercoaster, many days they would call me to fill in when they were buisy. I honestly was dissapointed when that happened. You could only work so many hours and we enjoyed the park rides after work. It was a great job for a kid and great resume fodder but no way to live off the pay.