Why Do A Pre-trip?

Knott's Berry Farm is a theme amusement park a bit north of Disneyland. As a tourist attraction it predates the Magic Kingdom by a few decades.

In 1998, Knott's built the Ghost Rider roller coaster, the longest wooden coaster on the west coast.

On the death of Walter Knott, the family sold the property to Cedar Fair, the operators of Cedar Point in Ohio. As the new corporate owner, Cedar Fair examined park operations to find ways to make the park more efficiently (read profitable). At one point, a Cedar Fair executive interviewed the mechanics who took care of the Ghost Rider.

"So you walk the entire coaster track every morning? Is it really necessary to check the track so thoroughly? How about we set you up with a twice a week schedule."

"Well, sir, we walk the track every single day so we can check all the fasteners and make adjustments and repairs before things get out of hand."

"But there have been no major incidents since the ride opened. So, is there a need to check the track on a daily basis?" the executive countered.

The mechanic replied, "Sir, I believe you have answered your own question there."

Exactly! And hey, whether you're talking gigantic amusement park rides or 80,000 pound big rigs, if something breaks it might not be as pleasant as calling a mechanic. It will often involve an ambulance.

Funny thing is, if one of the " execs " kids was involved in an accident at another park they would be first to cry for an inspection interval report, go figure. Goes to show some people are more worried about money tI'll something like that happens. My brother laughs at me cause I check my wife's car and my truck almost daily and always listening to how it sounds. By during this often I know right when something isn't right ana like I've told him time and again, I have yet (knock on wood) to be stranded unless it was something I knew about abd haven't fixed it yet. And u can bet I knew 99% what was wrong when it happened. Of course it has nt been anything major or I would nt have been driving till it was fixed. So if I can ever make to trucking I will be inspecting daily, and most likely a good once over in between stops.