Theft of service

[gmcunni]

I've noticed more and more attention being paid to validating lift tickets in line at many resorts. Is theft of service a serious issue these days?

Back in the day (and not that I condone the behavior) I'm told it was pretty easy to forge tickets. You could buy actual lift tickets at the local sports shop and clip them on your jacket to ski for the day. A crafty, er... um, malicious individual could buy a ticket in the beginning of the year and make copies that passed basic inspection by the people manning the lifts.

With the advances in computers, scanners and printers I have to believe it is easier than ever to forge a ticket and I'm sure that is part of what the barcode scanners help control. However, I still see smaller places that still just rely on the lift attendant to glance at the ticket.

I know several folks on this board work at (or own ;-) ) mountains, I'm just curious how big an issue it is.

 

[bvibert]

It's a pretty big issue, otherwise mountains wouldn't be going through the expense, time, and hassle of implementing the somewhat elaborate bar-coding system. I say it's somewhat elaborate because for most places there's quite a bit of behind the scenes infrastructure that wasn't there otherwise.

 

[severine]

Must be a big enough issue - my job was loss prevention this season. I scanned lift tickets each and every time someone came through the lift line to be sure they were valid. Some people scoffed, but whatever it takes to keep the prices down, right?

I'm not so sure there is a large number of people coming through with forged tickets - more so the problem of people sharing tickets or trying to use beginner tickets for all mountain. Expired tickets. That sort of thing.

 

[hiroto]

Its high time that we start using those radio tag systems European use.

http://www.teamaxess.com/de/systeme/skipass.htm

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Its high time that we start using those radio tag systems European use.

http://www.teamaxess.com/de/systeme/skipass.htm

Big Sky has the turnstyle things on a few lifts and they are a Pain in the Ass

 

[severine]

Its high time that we start using those radio tag systems European use.

http://www.teamaxess.com/de/systeme/skipass.htm

I don't know how many times this season I was told by annoyed skiers that I could be easily replaced by one of those. Then again, if I were, I imagine that would incur more of a raise in lift ticket prices than having manned inspections instead.

What I want to know is why people are so annoyed about the 5 seconds it takes to scan their lift tickets. If you're not breaking the rules, why give me a hard time? :???:

 

[deadheadskier]

I took a ski area management class in 1999 at UVM. At the time, the execs of many northern vermont areas put the loss due to fraud as 5% of ticket revenue. Pretty big chunk of change

 

[gmcunni]

Big Sky has the turnstyle things on a few lifts and they are a Pain in the Ass

I appreciate the human aspect of a security system. I was at SB this month and for some reason my ticket fell off my pants. I didn't notice until i go to the attendant. my son had his ticket so the guy let me slide since we'd waited in line but i went to the lodge after the next run to remedy the situation. because of the bar code system they were happy to help me. I had my receipt so they deactivated my lost ticket and gave me a new one. in and out in 2 minutes.

 

[gmcunni]

What I want to know is why people are so annoyed about the 5 seconds it takes to scan their lift tickets. If you're not breaking the rules, why give me a hard time? :???:

hmmm, reminds me of that "border patrol" thread.....:-D

 

[o3jeff]

I don't mind it cause if they do it right, it makes the people alternate the lines.

 

[thetrailboss]

I used to detest it, but for the amount of money my passes are worth, damn straight I want to make sure that people aren't ripping the resort (and in essence me) off.

 

[hiroto]

Only time it bothers me is when operator is slowing down the line to the point of allowing empty chairs to go up while there is long waiting line. I usually grab the ticket and make it well presented so it can get scanned in a second instead of five.

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Its high time that we start using those radio tag systems European use.

http://www.teamaxess.com/de/systeme/skipass.htm

Copper Mountain has a system like this for their "Bee Line Express" pass holders and it works fine. It detects the pass even inside coat pockets, unlocks the turnstyle and makes for a very orderly line. I would guess the set-up is costly, though.

 

[bvibert]

Its high time that we start using those radio tag systems European use.

http://www.teamaxess.com/de/systeme/skipass.htm

Copper Mountain has a system like this for their "Bee Line Express" pass holders and it works fine. It detects the pass even inside coat pockets, unlocks the turnstyle and makes for a very orderly line. I would guess the set-up is costly, though.

They're not cheap, I can tell you that right now. Significantly more than a bar-code reader system. It seems to me you'd still have to pay someone to watch them, at least periodically, to make sure no one is jumping over or anything..

It does seem like a good idea, but I like the human interaction aspect of the ticket scanner, assuming that you have a good, friendly person using the scanner that is.

 

[gmcunni]

I usually grab the ticket and make it well presented so it can get scanned in a second instead of five.

i spend a minute when i put my ticket on trying to figure out which way it will lay facing out so i can make the scanner's job a little easier ( make me get thru quicker). Sadly, i never seem to get it right

 

[severine]

Just don't put it so it hangs in your crotch and you'll be just fine.

 

[Paul]

Just don't put it so it hangs in your crotch and you'll be just fine.

That's what I do, Giggety, Giggety, Goo!!!!!

 

[severine]

That's what I do, Giggety, Giggety, Goo!!!!!

Awww, so hard up for attention you're relying on a slip of the hand while grabbing your lift ticket, eh? Too bad more than half the scanners are men.

Usually the drunken snowboarders think it's hilarious, though.

 

[C2H5OH]

... the execs of many northern vermont areas put the loss due to fraud as 5% of ticket revenue. Pretty big chunk of change

It questionable if these 5% knew that they'll have to pay, they will be skiing...

 

[Paul]

Awww, so hard up for attention you're relying on a slip of the hand while grabbing your lift ticket, eh? Too bad more than half the scanners are men.

Usually the drunken snowboarders think it's hilarious, though.

you said "hard-up"

heh-heh...