Kid Check issues in Florida

[bzier]

So the state is basically trying to get rid of Kid Check here in central Florida. The Orlando stores were informed a few weeks back to take down their ropes and move the Kid Check stand. When I visited Brandon yesterday, the same thing was executed there as well. They say ity's a fire hazard and dangerous...even though the ropes are magnetized and drop easily...I think this is craziness. I've heard that Corporate is fightng this one, but I don't think they're gonna win against the state.

What do you guys think is gonna happen to Kid Check?

[MatHat13]

Kid Check is terrible, and I think it should be eliminated. It causes alot of problems at my store, especially at high traffic periods. I'm all for making sure a visit to CEC is safely secured and that CEC Entertainment cares to make such a unique system, but really, the way it is performed is just...not good at all, both with cast members and guests.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

I have never been a huge fan of "KC" ( Kid Check slang up here ..) but i think Guests value it a lot.

Sure it's a pain in the patooie for CM's, but it has it's benefits when it is executed CORRECTLY. Notice i say "correctly" .....as 9 times out of 10 KC is NOT executed correctly and causes the majority of the problems.

I am very interested to see how it goes in FL. Yes, i can see it being a fire hazard ( the stand primarily, not the ropes) as some locations have KC very close to the entrance. Others have it a ways down the entry "hall". I suppose FL officials could take it on a store-by-store case......

It will be interesting to see what happens. Keep us posted!

[chucki233]

Wouldn't that be great if they go rid of it everywhere? I hate kid check! I don't get why you have to be 18, to get in but only 16 to work there?!

Is CEC liable if a kid leaves because there parent wasn't watching them?

[Cheese670]

I hate working kidcheck with a passion, but the comments I get from guest about it are good. I have saved multiple kids from leaving the store without or with the wrong parent/family/group.
I don't like the idea of getting rid of kidcheck, but their has to be a better way of doing it. I've told my manager before that there has to be another way to do kidcheck that improves both us and the guest. It's just a matter of finding what works and is more efficient way of doing kidcheck.
My idea was having thous Tyvek-Wristbands with a barcode and then have a computer at kidcheck... it's just one of my silly ideas :p!

[CEC3066]

ok here's what I don't understand. Kid Check has been in place for 14 YEARS. WHY would the state wait 14 YEARS to complain about the ropes? do they have a legitimate complaint? No because they waited to long to address the issue.

[bzier]

New rules and regualtions pop up all the time, and here in Florida they comtinually tighten their grip on things. They are very strict about things here.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Yep...Florida has changed a LOT since i lived there back in the very early 80's. I suppose the changes are nessesary, exspecially considering the world comes to FL to visit and live now thanks to all the famous attractions in the State. So i can understand them being vigilant and making a lot of restrictions.

I am interested to see how this works out. Maybe CEC will have to come up with some other style of Kid Check to meet the new FL rules? Perhaps they will have to do away with a stand/ropes all together?

Again, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens.

[bzier]

Well as it is right now, the State wants the stand and ropes GONE altogether.

[amelovesjasper]

Uh, I guess its different with each state, or whatever, but...

Kid Check is a part of Chuck's for a long time - I don't want to see it disappear.

I, in fact, really like Kid Check. (Yeah. I said it. So, what?) And, I don't have any problem with telling a sixteen year old that they can't come in. Sorry to say, guys, but you don't know what they will do - teenagers don't give a damn - and thats the truth.

Everyone who understands Kid Check, thinks its a good idea - those who don't, and I explain it them, find it a good idea as well. Sorry to say, but if we let every Tom, Dick, and Harry into the store, someone might be going with a sexual perverted person, or a child could get stolen, or lost. Its the sad truth, there has been a lot of kid-napping for the past few years, and it would be horrible if it happened in such places like Chuck E. Cheese's, where you go in for family fun.

I know a lot of people look at this and think, whatever, they know who their kid is, and they don't need me to let them tell them to go - but thts just it. They know. I don't. And I can't trust them until that child can tell me who it is.

One time I let a kid and a Dad go while I couldn't really see their numbers, and I felt horrible for the rest of the night, thinking I had let that kid go with a stranger. ...He didn't, but the point is, CEC *CARES* that the kids are going home with their family. Thats the policy. Thats what its about. Letting your family have fun, in a safe enviorment.

CEC3066 brings up a very good point. Why hasn't Florida complained until now? That stand, and those ropes, are not a fire hazard. If they were, don't you think CEC would have taken them down already?


...


And for those who care to know, I just worked a seven hour shift at Kid Check - So don't think I don't know wht I'm blabberng about. :> Yeah, tis a pain in the ass, but, who gives a damn? Its not about YOU, its about the children in the store. The end.

[sungun12]

this is an interesting one...as much as yes kid check is a pain, it is executed in my store correctly because it is important to me. as most things go, its done right if its important to the GM....at any rate, i thought of another thing that will suck if kid check goes away. we totally control any type of seating system we use from kid check. as in, how many to let in, they tell them to order and wait for me to seat them. that will screw all of this up. yes, it would save labor. 13 hours a day to be exact. thats a big chuck of money. but i think if it disappeared more people would complain then not notice. and we can keep the teenagers out as well. another good reason. i really hope this doesnt happen up here...

[amelovesjasper]

Hm. I just noticed.

Is Florida attacking other restrurants who may have a stand at the front where you go in?

Like, when you go into a restrurant, sometimes you'll actually have a waiter, or waitress right there at a stand, and they will ask you how many people are eating, and lead you to your table?

So, are THESE people getting attacked over it too? Because if they aren't, then WHY THE HELL is CEC the only one being knocked down?

Hm!

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Hey Sungun, IF they did do away with KC, you could solve the 'seating" and "teenagers" problems easily by just having someone continue to be at the front. You may not have the stand, but there is nothing saying a employee can't still be stationed to help crowd control and seating issues on the busier days.

Removing KC has it benefits ( like..adults maybe now taking some responsibility for their kids...gasp!) and it also has some disadvantages ( Guest perception of "safety", etc.). So it's a tough call. KC won't be going anywhere anytime soon, though it will be interesting to see what pans out in FL.

Any further news ?

[amelovesjasper]

...on a different note 'bout Kid Check, its funny as heck to see the expression on those teens faces when you tell them they can't come in. x) I'm so mean

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

CEC3066 brings up a very good point. Why hasn't Florida complained until now? That stand, and those ropes, are not a fire hazard.

The problem is not the materials themselves, but the fact that these items are located at the main entrance/exit to the building. If there was a fire and people needed to leave the building quickly in a panic the large stand and ropes pose a issue as they are basically blocking the exit. That is a issue in any State. Sure the ropes have breakaway magnets ( that is how CEC's can get around that fire law..) and the stand has wheels...but these items can still be a issue if a massive crowd of people exit the buidling in a panic with kids. I can totally see what the issue is from the State of Florida's standpoint. They do have a valid reason, but as mentioned, it is interesting that it has not been brought up or addressed before!

Let us also remember that KC was started in the 90's by CEC for two primary reasons: To protect the company from lawsuits brought about by parents suing them for not watching THEIR children, and for the marketable edge of the Guests' perception of KC making CEC's appear "safer" then the other competiting family fun place down the street. That may come across as harsh to some, but it's the truth.

Ya'all remember the big news story back then in the mid 90's or so about the child kidnapped from a CEC? Yep...the company was sued a zillion smackers or somethin' by the parents and Kid Check was suddenly and immediately created and executed to all CEC locations...within days! The peices arrived almost overnight, and Stores were ordered to begin the process immediately. It was not done to really "keep kids safe" originally...that was the coveted marketing spin called "Guest Perception". It was done to protect the Company from further lawsuits. Yes, in the end KC DID help keep kids safe as it was a excellent deterent to keep away those sick and twisted predetors who at that time stalked such establishments. It was a bad trend that had been going on since the mid 80's....shoot even i had someone try to lure me away from a PTT game room when i was 11! Sick old b****rd!

So yes, KC has done some good. It keeps the "predetors" at bay ( and sadly many innocent CEC Show fans.... it has to be said..), and helps a Store control who comes in the building. It also stops what was very common back in the 80's....dropping the kids off at PTT/CEC while Mom went shopping. It was the norm back then for PTT/CEC's had many kids there with no parental supervision at anytime! The place had 20 kids to every 1 adult, as most would leave them at Chuck E.s and go next door to shop ( my Mom did this all the time...and look how i turned out!) It was GREAT ( if you were a kid...or a 'predetor i guess..eek!) but there is NO WAY in Hell that kind of behavior would be tolerated in today's times.

Today's parents are downright paranoid, and KC helps calm them and makes them feel that threir kids are safe. That is fine, but in a lot of locations it is terribly missleading. The Stores that don't execute KC to Standard really should'nt even bother having KC...but then that coveted "Guest Perception " comes into play. It LOOKS like the Store is watching out for your kids...but in reality they could care less, shamefully. It's like buying a new soda bottle today compared to 10 years ago. It LOOKS like you are getting more for your money, but in reality the bottle has been reshaped to APPEAR that way. In reality you are getting LESS. KC not being executed properly is the same....it LOOKS like it is keeping kids safe, but in reality it is not...not by a longshot!

[amelovesjasper]

Not if the person at Kid Check doesn't care, I'd say. I mean, when I work at Kid Check, I do care about those kids - Once I let a kid go who couldn't speak with a man who said he was his father, and for the rest of the day I felt like I commited a crime. ...Obviousl, it was the kid's father cause there was no other parent freaking out, but still. It scares me to know that I could put a child's life in danger...

Well, if they are taken down, perhaps the parents in Florida will either say its a good idea, or, when they notice they are gone, ask the company to put it back up. When a child gets lost, or taken by someone else in Florida, its not as if its the company's faut. It'd be like a "told you so" situation.



And ack, for you almost getting kid-napped. I can't believe that actually happens. I never had it happen to me, or anyone at my store... But maybe thats because they know they can't do it. :>

Fff. I like Kid Check. But maybe thats because thats all I do, and if they take it, I'll be outta a job! GAH!

[bzier]

To this day I still don't understand how CEC got sued over a child being kidnapped. It is NOT CEC's responsibility to watch people's kids. Just like it isn't McDonalds or Wal Mart's job to watch people's kids either! I honestly blame this on the parents...if you're too freakin' lazy to watch your kids and they get kidnapped, YOU the parent deserve to be taken away to jail for child neglegence....that's the way I see it.

Nothing too new has surfaced down here recently, but other restaurants that had stands have also been either moving them out of the way of the entryway, or have gotten rid of them altogether, so it isn't just CEC the state is going after.

[amelovesjasper]

Ah! Okay, now it seems fair - Perhaps moving it to the side somehow? Hm.

You do bring up a good point though. I hate when a parent comes in and then tells me they re going to leave their kid there. Uhg...

We're not their baby sitters! Get a hint. 9_9

[pizzacam]

To this day I still don't understand how CEC got sued over a child being kidnapped. It is NOT CEC's responsibility to watch people's kids. Just like it isn't McDonalds or Wal Mart's job to watch people's kids either! I honestly blame this on the parents...if you're too freakin' lazy to watch your kids and they get kidnapped, YOU the parent deserve to be taken away to jail for child neglegence....that's the way I see it.

Nothing too new has surfaced down here recently, but other restaurants that had stands have also been either moving them out of the way of the entryway, or have gotten rid of them altogether, so it isn't just CEC the state is going after.


I know... it's just the way it is now... You can pretty much sue for being a lazy ass parent and get awarded money for your own stupidity! :laugh: :choochoo:

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Ha ha....seriously...

It's as if stupidity is being encouraged, and intelligence is being asked to leave...


:p

[raebigc]

Not to be off-topic, but what the heck is "Kid Check?"

[VegaNova]

Maybe I'm way off here, but how many guests have been burned alive by not being able to exit a restaurant in FL or anywhere? And aren't places required to have at least a few alternate exists anyway? Granted, in a panic I'm sure most people would be going for the way they know they can get out... the way they came in.

My views on KC, as an outsider and non-employee, might seem a bit jaded. I see the purpose more when there's high traffic and actually a reason to have someone standing there coralling people in and out and checking handstamps. Most stores in my area, especially on slow days, don't even guard the door. You stand there for a minute or two until someone from behind the counter sees you and waltzes over to let you in. Then comes the emasculating question - Are you here for a birthday party or just "for fun".

On rare occasions I've had to cross the precious red rope and let myself in when nobody bothers to show up and I'm left standing there like an idiot.

Anyway I think Jenn is completely right that KC serves more of a purpose (psychologically) than it does physically. For both the parents and also as a deterent for that occasional weirdo out there. People seem to need that sense of security, even if it's not all it's cracked up to be. Sorta like with the airlines and precautions against terrorists. Everytime I go through the insane security lines I'm reminded of the episode of the Simpsons where Lisa sells Homer the magic rock that keeps tigers away.

The way I see it is if some psycho wants your kid bad enough, even at a CEC, they have a shot at doing it, KC or not. So I guess what I'm saying is that I'm torn on what to think removing KC would actually do, besides spark paranoia in guests.

But the fire code thing seems just as paranoid to me. It seems logical that having an employee standing guard at the door would actually be more of an assistance in case of an emergency by helping corral everyone out safely.

[Shiney Happy Jenn]

Not to be off-topic, but what the heck is "Kid Check?"

I guess you have not been to a CEC in a while then?

Kid Check is a service provided by CEC to insure "Everyone who comes together, leaves together". The Company started it in in mid 90's after some issues ( read my previous post for the details). Kid Checks' purpose is to help insure a safer enviroment for kids at CEC, and assist parents in making sure no one leaves with their child but them.

Basically, when you enter any CEC you are greeted by a Cast Member standing at a entrance podium. They will stamp your hand with a number from a ink stamper. You cannot see the number unless you are under UV lighting ( blacklight). The idea is that if say Mom and two kids come in, all three of them are stamped with the same number. When people go to leave, their hands are checked under UV light to see if the stamped numers match. It keeps the kids together with the group they entered with, so if another person tries to leave with someone elses kid, the stamped numbers will not match alerting the Kid Check Cast Member that something is not right.

Kid Check also serves as a deterrent to keep "undesirables" out of what is now a place targeted for preschoolers. Teens and adults are sometimes turned away as they may cause tension or issues. It also helps control overcrowding at the more busy locations across the country. Kid Check also helps stop what was extremely common in the 80's heydays of PTT/CEC: parents leaving kids at the Store to go off and shop on their own...as in using the Store as a free "babaysitting service" of sorts. So it has some benefits..

Kid Check has a long history of discussion here in the fan community. Some find it a waste of time and payroll, as many times it is not executed correctly at Stores. Travis' description of some of his experiences are very common. It also makes fans of Chuck and the Shows feel unwelcome as they are often looked at as some sort of weirdo coming in to watch the kids ( or take one). Argh.....so far from the truth.

So there ya go, Kid Check. Love it or hate it, i see it not going away anytime soon. It would be interesting though if it did.....maybe then parents would take more responsibily.