Appalling state of the monorail cabins

[Figment2005]

I don't think I understand how it's more personable unless they start letting guests ride in the front again. Keeping people employed in a completely meaningless job is not a good thing. The turnover is high enough no one would lose their job. I would imagine a lot of the good cast members will move on to something else. If I were working there I certainly would be choosing my new location right about now. Monorail pilots are going to become a joke once this change takes place. Like I said I think this is a good thing, keeping pilots just isn't that smart.

I respect your opinion, but this new system isn't going to be active anytime soon.

 

[s8film40]

I respect your opinion, but this new system isn't going to be active anytime soon.

Yes, and I sincerely hope everyone there right now is cherishing the time they have with the trains. It really will be the end of an era.

 

[rob0519]

Sorta a magic band for the monorail. More info for TDO, some benefit to guests.

This might actually be a sensible use for the Magic Bands. It would give the transportation department accurate information about how many people have gone through a gate or turnstyle and are on the monorail. It could help in scheduling both monorails and buses.

 

[s8film40]

This might actually be a sensible use for the Magic Bands. It would give the transportation department accurate information about how many people have gone through a gate or turnstyle and are on the monorail. It could help in scheduling both monorails and buses.

Would be smart for them to add readers at each of the transportation entrances. They could then see as guests exit the park throughout the day what percentage goes to what form of transportation and see this as it changes throughout the day. They could even go a step further and put readers in each car of the train and know how many people are in each car, and possibly put signs above each car showing how much available space is left.

 

[rob0519]

Would be smart for them to add readers at each of the transportation entrances. They could then see as guests exit the park throughout the day what percentage goes to what form of transportation and see this as it changes throughout the day. They could even go a step further and put readers in each car of the train and know how many people are in each car, and possibly put signs above each car showing how much available space is left.

Exactly. While they may not be able to adjust all of transportation in real time, they probably could make some adjustments based on crowd movement, but it would give them data to use in the long run to schedule more or less frequent buses from one location to another. I'm not sure how well it would work for space left in each car though. Two double strollers in a monorail car easily take up the standing room of 4-6 people, but it could give an accurate count as to how many people in each car and therefore the whole train.

 

[Reedy Creek Rob]

Seems like an ideal opportunity for AA. Guests would have the illusion of a pilot. We would like to have our monorail driven by a wookie , R2D2, or C3PO. Lol

lol, I read AA as "Alcoholics Anonymous" and was trying to figure out why you wanted alcoholics piloting the monorails!

 

[Flalex72]

I don't think I understand how it's more personable unless they start letting guests ride in the front again. Keeping people employed in a completely meaningless job is not a good thing. The turnover is high enough no one would lose their job. I would imagine a lot of the good cast members will move on to something else. If I were working there I certainly would be choosing my new location right about now. Monorail pilots are going to become a joke once this change takes place. Like I said I think this is a good thing, keeping pilots just isn't that smart.

This is it: most of the time I don't notice who is driving the train, and that's the kind of thing I usually look for too. I personally think that fully automated trains are much cooler and fit much better with the narrative that the monorails are futuristic. Although the trains themselves are aging, they still have a futuristic look, and not retro-futuristic like Tomorrowland. Anybody else find it interesting that the monorails were inspired by a Lear Jet, and would later end up being built by the same company?

Yes, and I sincerely hope everyone there right now is cherishing the time they have with the trains. It really will be the end of an era.

I was under the impression that the system will be complete in 2016. If you're a monorail pilot, now is the time to start planning for the future.

Exactly. While they may not be able to adjust all of transportation in real time, they probably could make some adjustments based on crowd movement, but it would give them data to use in the long run to schedule more or less frequent buses from one location to another. I'm not sure how well it would work for space left in each car though. Two double strollers in a monorail car easily take up the standing room of 4-6 people, but it could give an accurate count as to how many people in each car and therefore the whole train.

They'd be further ahead to just monitor the lineup than to try and track each and every car. Since the bands are unique, you can get an idea of how many people are in line and how long they've been waiting, both important pieces of information from a planning perspective.

 

[note2001]

Quite honestly, ever since I was a child, and was fully aware that there was a monorail pilot as we had ridden up there with them a few times, I always thought the system was at least partially computer controlled. It amazed me how the monorails would align up with the gates perfectly and the gates would open at just the right time.

 

[MonorailLover]

I always thought the system was at least partially computer controlled. It amazed me how the monorails would align up with the gates perfectly and the gates would open at just the right time.

But even the aligning and doors opening aren't automated to my knowledge. There's been a million times we got a newbie who missed the station.

 

[xdan0920]

@Figment2005

Got any pics for us?

 

[ford91exploder]

Yes, and I sincerely hope everyone there right now is cherishing the time they have with the trains. It really will be the end of an era.

You mean when they are finally replaced with buses ?

 

[Rinx]

It amazed me how the monorails would align up with the gates perfectly and the gates would open at just the right time.

When I was a pilot it always amazed me how many of the guests that sat up front asked me if I was steering.

But to be honest, even with significantly less guest usage, the cabs weren't in the best of shape either. And if the AC wasn't working, you'd feel it much much worse than in the cars.

 

[Brad Bishop]

A pilotless, fully automated system makes far more sense to me.

You could do things like empty a train and then just send the train back to the shop for fixes or cleaning and all other operations could continue as normal. No need to stop all of the trains because you're operating a switch, just change the switch as the train approaches and then flip it back when done. Adding trains ought to be just as easy.

Even with that, I still think that they need more trains / more bays because there's a time constraint (and labor) on what they're currently working with.

 

[MonorailLover]

You mean when they are finally replaced with buses ?

Thank you, you have made me laugh my a$$ off, sir.

 

[betty rose]

lol, I read AA as "Alcoholics Anonymous" and was trying to figure out why you wanted alcoholics piloting the monorails!

That gave me a good chuckle, thanks for posting.

 

[MonorailLover]

A pilotless, fully automated system makes far more sense to me.

You could do things like empty a train and then just send the train back to the shop for fixes or cleaning and all other operations could continue as normal. No need to stop all of the trains because you're operating a switch, just change the switch as the train approaches and then flip it back when done. Adding trains ought to be just as easy.

Even with that, I still think that they need more trains / more bays because there's a time constraint (and labor) on what they're currently working with.

I think that the system they purchased offers that much features, but I believe they will be limited to what they will be able to use with their current fleet.

 

[Figment2005]

@Figment2005

Got any pics for us?

Maybe someday.

 

[xdan0920]

Maybe someday.

But most cabins are in good shape. Surely you can show us, ease some of our angst.

 

[ford91exploder]

Thank you, you have made me laugh my a$$ off, sir.
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Only half joking there :-( Used to enjoy riding the Monorails as an experience in itself now not so much, Especially on the EPCOT beam one can occasionally see deer and other wildlife if one is observant, But of late the monorails have not seen a lot of love.

 

[Figment2005]

But most cabins are in good shape. Surely you can show us, ease some of our angst.

That would require me to go to work on my days off. Surely, you don't like to go to work on your days off? I will eventually get pictures, or someone else with a level head will, just stop giving me **** all the time about it.