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Unmagical TOT CMs
- Thread starter GizmoDuck
- Start date
mousefanwhat?
Member
I've seen it a lot in all the parks over the last few years. I totally understand, it's been a long hot day and your shift is about to end...but I don't like it when they chit chat amongst themselves. I've seen a lot of flirting and school girl giggling (my husband likes to call it "playing grab a$$" lol) I just don't think it's appropriate in any line of work especially a customer service based job. I work on my feet 12-14 hours, I get cranky too, but as a nurse, I've got to keep myself in check.
I don't expect perfection, but like it was said above they are cast members not just ride attendants.
draybook
Well-Known Member
CMs were talking to each other!? How dare they!?
Honestly, give the kids a break. They were probably on an open to close shift. Sometimes we break character. It happens.
And it's this exact attitude that makes this new generation a lazy one. If you're on the clock then you're working and you should be doing what's required. You're not there to talk to Suzy Q. about what happened at school or over at Matt's house while his parents were away.
And I'm pretty sure they have people act a certain way depending on the ride. I could be wrong but it would make sense.
Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
I can appreciate the stresses of a long day, but I have to agree that you should maintain a modicum of professionality on stage.
I remember working a 12-hour ToT shift on New Year's Eve in 2002. I ended up at Load for about the third time in four rotations, probably the most repetitive and mentally taxing position in the building (to me, anyway). At one point, I got so sick of reciting the load spiel (this was right before they went to an automated spiel) that I decided to try a "silent bellhop" routine.
I stayed in character with the mannerisms and expression I always kept on stage, but I didn't say a word, just let my eyes and hands do all the talking as I directed people to their seats, checked the belts and bars (yep, still had bars then), and hit the send button.
Right as the elevator doors closed, a guy on board yelled "Hey man, you s'posed ta SAY somethin'!"
I felt a little bad then, like I might have shortchanged the guests of an important show element. (But now that I think about it, I think a silent bellhop would have been pretty creepy, so maybe that guy was just a jerk.) :lol:
I remember working a 12-hour ToT shift on New Year's Eve in 2002. I ended up at Load for about the third time in four rotations, probably the most repetitive and mentally taxing position in the building (to me, anyway). At one point, I got so sick of reciting the load spiel (this was right before they went to an automated spiel) that I decided to try a "silent bellhop" routine.
I stayed in character with the mannerisms and expression I always kept on stage, but I didn't say a word, just let my eyes and hands do all the talking as I directed people to their seats, checked the belts and bars (yep, still had bars then), and hit the send button.
Right as the elevator doors closed, a guy on board yelled "Hey man, you s'posed ta SAY somethin'!"
I felt a little bad then, like I might have shortchanged the guests of an important show element. (But now that I think about it, I think a silent bellhop would have been pretty creepy, so maybe that guy was just a jerk.) :lol:
SirGoofy
Member
:lol:
Well, you don't know this generation's CMs. I do. I'm one of them. We love to go above and beyond more than anyone. I see it on a daily basis when I'm working. But guess what? Sometimes people slip up. To expect someone to be in character 100% of the time is ridiculous. Everyone is human. Deal with it.
unkadug
Follower of "Saget"The Cult
I love how people now jump on the generation as "lazy."
In the 15 years I can remember going to Disney there has ALWAYS been CMs talking to each other at points.
Sure, but back then their discussions were important and meaningful. :lookaroun:lol:
mousefanwhat?
Member
I certainly can't include every CM in the lazy or unprofessional statement, not all CMs have a problem. Most are very, very good. While I don't expect everyone to be in character 100% of the time...IMHO, I do expect that my kids and I should be able to stand in line without having to listen to Sue and Mary complain about Linda...or listen to Billy try to impress Sue and ask her on a date for this weekend.
Wilt Dasney
Well-Known Member
Well, Linda's a anyway, everybody knows that. :shrug:
And give Billy a break...I've heard Sue puts out. :lookaroun
Slipknot
Well-Known Member
I get that feeling from guests, not CMs.
mousefanwhat?
Member
draybook
Well-Known Member
I do know this generation, I deal with them every day. However, I'm not saying that ALL young people are that way, just a small minority. It's that minority that ruins it for the rest of them. Just like people think that all of us Mexicans wear wife beaters, baggy khakis and are in a gang.
That being said, I'm not paying 3k to "deal with it", as you put so well. Yes, you ARE expected to perform professionally for your whole shift. The same way that I am. Using your age as an excuse is not acceptable. Like one person stated, you have a break and lunch period to discuss your personal business. While you're on the clock and "on stage" your duty is to entertain or assist the guests. Bottom line.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Im just glad you choose the service industry over a medical profession. :shrug:
Only saying....................
SirGoofy
Member
Did I ever use my age as an excuse? No. CMs old and young sometimes break character. I've seen it as a guest since the early 90s, and I've seen it as a CM now. To say it is only the younger CMs is a grossly misinformed, and in my opinion stereotypical. If anything, many of the full time CMs take their jobs less seriously, and break character more often than the younger ones.
heartodisney
Active Member
I am VERY lucky that I have not had a problem with ANY CM! Just with other visitors, and then I try my best to just move on!
marsrunner
New Member
Funny, I don't remember on my itemized list of charges on my trip in January that I paid for CMs to never break character. Darnit, I should have been paying more attention!
Stupid lazy young people!
I honestly don't see any difference in the way the CMs act now than they did since I've been going in the late 70s. Granted I would have only been old enough to notice from '85 or so onward... Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never had an out and out BAD CM experience. The worst was this last trip when the CM working the cash register at the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary seemed a little bored and disinterested in ringing my order up at 11pm. Can't say I blame him, as I wasn't all that interested in eating it! :rimshot:
Stupid lazy young people!
I honestly don't see any difference in the way the CMs act now than they did since I've been going in the late 70s. Granted I would have only been old enough to notice from '85 or so onward... Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've never had an out and out BAD CM experience. The worst was this last trip when the CM working the cash register at the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary seemed a little bored and disinterested in ringing my order up at 11pm. Can't say I blame him, as I wasn't all that interested in eating it! :rimshot:
jonnyc
Well-Known Member
I think this a bit harsh. It could perhaps be that in a 12 hour shift this is the one instance where they broke character. As long as everyone was loaded into the ride correctly and safely if they don't go the extra mile for one elevator load out of 100 then I can accept that.
Do you not have conversations with people at your job? Do you not ask Joe Bloggs how their weekend was when you get into work on a monday?
Having worked in some jobs which have some mindnumbing repetitive activity, sometimes you need to talk to other people to remain sane.
Slipknot
Well-Known Member
Apparently if he pays $3,000 to be at Disney, then all the CMs should act the way he wants them to.