Losing My Keys on a Rollercoaster: Behind-the-Scenes at Six Flags

On a slow day, it happens more than 40 times. A visitor to the Six Flags amusement park loses keys, a cellphone, a camera, or a wallet. Count me among the number for today. I rode a ride called the Wildcatter, which suspends you in the air and then drops you in a rush from a height of about 3 stories. After you fall, your car speeds down a track with you now flat on your back. Then, the car jolts abruptly, places you back in an upright sitting position, and you start to laugh with the person sitting next to you about how much you both had been screaming. Well, apparently, this was where I lost my keys.

I didn't notice they were gone until I was on the other side of the park. Luckily, I had only ridden two rides up to this point, so I was able to locate the security office and let them know that I was looking for the keys.

The woman who was running the counter -- Amber Thompson at the Arlington park -- was very nice. She asked me for my license, asked for a description of the keys and whether I had anything distinctive attached to my keychain, like grocery store cards. I described them for her, and showed her a similar key that I carry with me in case I get locked out of my car. (Note: Always carry a back-up set, just in case something like this happens to you; then, you will not be stranded at the amusement park needing to call a cab.) Unfortunately, nothing could be done right away. I had only just been on the ride about 20 minutes before, and nothing had been reported yet. But she gave me a card that had my case number on it, and a direct phone number to the security office. She recommended that I check back periodically through the evening.

Here's the cool thing about losing your keys at Six Flags: if they are found once you have left, the park will FedEx them back to your home free of charge.