Originally Posted By Mr X ***Disney has announced that it will no longer allow guests to ride in the front of the monorail.*** Weak.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And that makes complete sense after what happened. Which I just posted above. That thought had to run into everyone's minds. If you have seen the video, could you imagine if that family with young girls had asked to be in front and it was ok'd?*** Or, perhaps one of them would've seen the other train coming and sounded the alarm, thus saving the driver. Anyway, this is a complete farce on Disney's part. What are they saying? You can't sit up there because it's an unsafe place? Then why don't all the drivers sue for Disney putting them in a hazardous zone? This makes me sick. Instead of saying "we've got safety issues, we're sorry for that, and we're going to FIX em", they say "well, at least THIS one wasn't a P.R. disaster, and we're making sure the next one won't be either". Scumbags.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ It is weak and I'm sure not enitrely permenant. All I know is that I don't trust the current system and the operators, and if I don't, why should the common person who doesn't realize how safe these things are. So if I don't even trust these clowns enough to ride in the front I think this PR -slash- safety policy is the right step towards moving on with life.
Originally Posted By ChiMike X, of course I'm the type of guy who likes your mindset better, but that's not their M.O. I will say that your original comment is really the one they should institute. Walt's mindset would have dictated it at least ten years ago. Automated Monorails. As nostalgic as I am with the idea of Monorail Pilots there time has come and gone.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>What are they saying? You can't sit up there because it's an unsafe place?<< That's EXACTLY what they are saying vis a vie -- logic. And that's completely sad. What a fall from grace this company has taken.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << This makes me sick. Instead of saying "we've got safety issues, we're sorry for that, and we're going to FIX em", they say "well, at least THIS one wasn't a P.R. disaster, and we're making sure the next one won't be either". >> Or maybe they're just giving the drivers the opportunity to focus on the driving without any distractions, particularly at such a short time after the accident. Can you imagine being the monorail driver the days/weeks after this and have to answer all the questions from guests over and over again each trip about what happened on the morning of July 5th? I think that would be a little disturbing if I were driving the monorail, and you know that there are guests who wouldn't think twice before engaging in that conversation.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones I would rather sit in the front of the monorail than drive on the freeway.
Originally Posted By sharpc <<I will say that your original comment is really the one they should institute. Walt's mindset would have dictated it at least ten years ago. Automated Monorails. As nostalgic as I am with the idea of Monorail Pilots there time has come and gone.>> The idea of automated monorails doesn't particularly sound too nice to me.. I feel that there has to be a pilot of some sort on the monorail, even if they are doing nothing to control the monorail. Walt believed in showmanship, and the pilots are part of the show. As far as the backing down on allowing people into the front of the monorail, it seems like the right thing to do right now, and doesn't seem like a permanent measure. This accident occurred in a situation that is not 'normal' during the times that most guests will be riding in the monorail. Furthermore, I see Disney revamping their safety procedures as far as how they operate the spur line.
Originally Posted By sharpc << Or maybe they're just giving the drivers the opportunity to focus on the driving without any distractions, particularly at such a short time after the accident. Can you imagine being the monorail driver the days/weeks after this and have to answer all the questions from guests over and over again each trip about what happened on the morning of July 5th? I think that would be a little disturbing if I were driving the monorail, and you know that there are guests who wouldn't think twice before engaging in that conversation.>> True, but the thought of the monorail pilots sitting alone in the cockpit for hours on end isn't something that is particularly appealing.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>maybe they're just giving the drivers the opportunity to focus on the driving without any distractions, particularly at such a short time after the accident. Can you imagine being the monorail driver the days/weeks after this and have to answer all the questions from guests over and over again each trip about what happened on the morning of July 5th? I think that would be a little disturbing if I were driving the monorail, and you know that there are guests who wouldn't think twice before engaging in that conversation.<< You know what Goof, that is an EXCELLENT point. I didn't think about that. It also plays into the notion that it is probably not a permanant change.
Originally Posted By ImaginingDisney001 >>>>> Or maybe they're just giving the drivers the opportunity to focus on the driving without any distractions, particularly at such a short time after the accident <<<<< I think thats a cop out. Disney will give the pilots the normal, "smile and say nothing" dance. As this case will go into litigation, it cannot be talked about anyway so Disney is or has already, muffled the pilots and crews already. I am hoping the "TIES" are just stopping the riding with the pilot to take a step back and wait for the smoke to clear, then they can allow it agian. Remember, the problem seems to have been caused because they were not running normally or on system. THey were puting a train back to the garage so all the safetys were bypassed. Thats why THey need a cam, at the very least to see where the heck they are going. The monorail is what, 70 foot long? No matter how the "ties" look at it, the monorail equipment is lacking and safety will always be a factor untill they wake up and take care of business. ID
Originally Posted By ImaginingDisney001 >>>>> The monorail line at Tokyo Disney is automated. <<<<< The MK IV and MK VI can be automated. I read some time back that the "TIES" had considered automating but the guests wanted the Pilots to stay. I had conflicting stories about the MK IV's that when to Las Vegas were automated at one point before the ugly ones were brought in. there was a poll of the guests one time aobut PAYING to ride the monorail, I guess they did not get the answers they wanted. ID
Originally Posted By sharpc <<The monorail line at Tokyo Disney is automated. >> I was wondering about that..Can you ride in the front of the monorail at TDL?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I had conflicting stories about the MK IV's that when to Las Vegas were automated at one point before the ugly ones were brought in.>> The automated "ugly ones" appear to work wonderfully. They also seem to run at a considerably higher speed than the Disney monorails. It cost a fortune, but Las Vegas has one slick monorail system.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Hey everyone... I've got an idea!! Open casinos in the hotels and use the profits to extend the WDW monorail EVERYWHERE!!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<Can you ride in the front of the monorail at TDL?>> Yes, and the front is open to the rest of the car. You can even stand immediately behind the people sitting there. There is a CM on the train, in a compartment at the rear. I'm not sure of what their duties entail beyond controlling/monitoring the doors.
Originally Posted By sharpc << Yes, and the front is open to the rest of the car. You can even stand immediately behind the people sitting there. There is a CM on the train, in a compartment at the rear. I'm not sure of what their duties entail beyond controlling/monitoring the doors.>> Sounds like a good thing to move to to me. Unfortunately, I don't see Disney redoing their monorails anytime soon due to their recent tech overhaul..
Originally Posted By trekkeruss FYI, here's a shot I found of the interior of the TDR Line's monorail. You can see the front, and how it's open to the rest of the car. In fact, you can walk the entire length of the train; there are no doors between cars, just open vestibules. <a href="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/1368475080_58362d44f0.jpg?v=0" target="_blank">http://farm2.static.flickr.com....jpg?v=0</a>
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Tokyo Disney's monorail operates under the same rules and regulations that the country's other mass transit systems do. It's a real mass transit system that can handle a crush of people on busy days. It's not really an attraction because monorails, and trains in general, are more prevalent in Japan than in the United States. The parks are within walking distance of a commuter train station after all.
