Really Alltel?
You might be wondering what Alltel Wireless, a cellular phone company, has to do with coasters or even the amusement industry as a whole. Well they recently released a commerical with people picking up loose articles from under a coaster while the coaster is operating. Last year we had several deaths in the industry as a result of this. As a national advertisement, that is just kind of sad. IAAPA has already responded to the commerical with a letter to Verizon Communications, parent company of Alltel.
Our specific concern has to do with the way the Alltel commercial implies that looking for lost articles underneath amusement park rides is a good idea. That is not the case. Unfortunately, there have been a few tragic instances where individuals have been seriously or even fatally injured while trying to retrieve lost articles from well-marked restricted areas under rides. … It’s critical for the general public to understand they should never enter a restricted area around or under a ride for any reason. … We are concerned guests (particularly young guests or teenagers) might try to retrieve lost articles in restricted areas after seeing the spot.
Below is the video for the commerical. I think it speaks for itself.
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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I think they’ve invented a new game: stand under the coaster for the whole day and see if you catch anything!
I can’t believe Knott’s approved of this. Another reason to believe Cedar Fair is losing their mind.
It appears that the restricted area fence is behind the family on the grass, and therefore they are not inside the restricted area. However, most or all of lost items on a ride should fall within restricted areas and not among the general public. This commercial does not outrage me, but I can see where those in the general public may be confused by it.
Hmmm, I don’t really believe that this is going to have an adverse effect on guests. Because the ones that are stupid enough to go into a restricted area (whether this commercial shows the family in a restricted area or not) are going to do so anyway.
I can see a legitimate cause for concern though.
I’m glad that IAAPA sent Alltel a statement. Obviously the public may continue to underestimate the danger of standing under a roller coaster and this commercial could only make things worse. I think the commercial should be pulled.
Great post and I’m glad to see Coasterdom back in action!
I see kids and teens in the clinic, hospital and emergency department every day who have copied something dangerous which they saw on tv. One boy lost his life from a broken neck, and one child lost a lung and the use of a leg at the age of 7 from a 4 wheeler stunt copied from ‘america’s funniest (?) videos’.
I saw a 6 year old begging her dad that she would never misbehave ever again if he would take away her pain after she received 45% burns from riding her bicycle through a fire – a stunt she had seen on tv. She died.
Young people often do not realize the danger in things such as this, and it is extremely irresponsible to make such an advertisement in a place frequented by mostly young people.
Sincerely – a concerned MD
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