ToughThe good thingsYou get to meet all sorts of crazy and interesting people from all corners of the world both coworkers and guests alike. It is such a unique place to be and the memories and friends you make while working there will obviously be different for everyone but memorable and insane and all in good fun. The view is fantastic and relaxing when you have the time to enjoy it. Free drinks and food once every month.
The challengesThere is no room to move up and promotions are extremely rare. As a rides operator, you can only hope to learn more rides which is already very limited. I say “hope” because once you learn one ride, or particular rides, they tend to keep you there for every single shift until you break. In my case, I made a complaint about being on the same ride for nearly two years straight before learning something new, only to be put back on first ride a few months later. Supervisors and team leaders fully understood the situations we were placed in as they had once started in the same lowly positions, yet did nothing to make a change like offering more rotations. After a while it’s obvious to see that they put their friends on rides they want and shuffle everyone else around to accommodate.
Weather protection is at the very minimum, which you will need to prepare for daily considering Sydney’s hectic weather. There is very little shade to protect ride operators and attendants from the sun as it moves during the day or to provide cover in heavy rain. Limited amount of rainproof jackets and pants, not nearly enough to provide the entire team.
You can expect to be standing in one spot for 8 hours straight most days and there are no anti-fatigue mats provided so good luck trying to find completely plain black shoes that are also comfortable enough to handle a whole lot of standing, walking and rain.