By Randy

April 5, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this

No, I didn’t attempt to take advantages of the freebie… There’s no such thing as a free lunch… and the folks sitting in gridlock with carloads of kids that got turned away this morning (or told to come back at 9 and pay) are going to suffer a long time for this one.

By Carisa

April 5, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t get out of my subdivision at 6am because of this crap. They should ban these types of promotions that promote gridlock near residential areas.

By BG

April 5, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this

In this town, if you give away something, two things will happen:

• They will rob you blind of the freebie (Airtran tickets from Wendy’s, anyone?)

• the company giving away the product will not be respected because of everyone trying to abuse the rules to get it

Besides, who in their right mind lets kids walk down the side of an interstate???

No parents in the lot, just mindless breeders…

By Southside Bum

April 5, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this

I think that Q100 really screwed up on this one. They gave the impression that EVERYONE who arrived before 9:00 a.m. would be admitted free. And then we hear on the news that they “ran out of free tickets” at 5:55 a.m.

For the ones who made it in, this is a great thing. For the rest of the people, this will be a PR nightmare for Q100!

By jen

April 5, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

if the park is “at capacity”, what happens to all the church groups, schools, etc, that are scheduled to visit Six Flags today as part of their Spring Break? Will they be turned away? If so—- Six Flags and Q100 are going to have a nightmare on their hands with angry parents and students!

By freefall

April 5, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

Do this type of promotion on the weekend.

Six flags/Q100 should have to pay fines for creating this traffic mess.

By Bree

April 5, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this

Very bad. Very bad!

I would hate to live in that area right now!!

I sat in traffic for a very long time this morning and the commute from downtown to 285 is usually very easy!

What a way to screw up traffic!

By Spartan Caver

April 5, 2007 7:54 AM | Link to this

Nightmare at Six Flags.

It is my sincere hope that you, Q100 have, A, learned your lesson, B, the authorities / public burn you to no end. Lesson that should be learned is, this community, Atlanta and greater Atlanta, will go rampaging for anything free. During your pre-planning meetings, a call to Underground Atlanta could have reveled that their “Free” fireworks and parade during the New Year’s Peachdrop brings out 125,000 people, and they don’t show up until 11:30. Calling Phillips Arena and Centennial Park folk would have also delivered the same information. Of course, no one thought to call me, an old time native Atlantan that has seen all this before. When the news of the free Six Flags Day came across my p.c. screen, my wife and I said, “Let’s leave town.” Freakfest, Dogwood Festival, before that, the Great Chattanooga River Race. the list goes on and on and on. Don’t ever do this again. Even a discount ticket would have netted you some publicity, without the crowded mess.

And “B”? Reckless behavior? This went out on the internet last week. Thousands of people that never even heard of Q100 had already heard of the Ditch Day. Heck, even I sent along the e-note I got to friends and family. I hope they don’t hold it against me. I will be laughing when the court date is announnced. If you are making post party plans, I suggest putting more attorneys on retainer.

Now about your radio personalities and their commentary from Six Flags. I am sitting here writing this as I listen in, for the first and probably only time. They are laughing about this. They are using words like amazing, astounding, phenomenal, and so on. Not words like disaster, mess, or troubling. The recent bus crash resulted in a traffic nightmare, but was both grievous, accidental. This Six Flags Roadblock is a man made disaster. Thousands of Atlantans are out on the interstate parking lot. Let’s just pick a figure out of thin air. 1000. That means that 1000 people who would have been at work half an hour ago. 1000 times 30 minutes means that your stunt has wasted 30,000 hours. Atlantans have lost 14 years of work – man hours, or 4 years of time.

What, besides announcing an apology, are you going to do now? Free Day at WhiteWater?

sincerely

Spartan Caver

By geque

April 5, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Q100 + SixFlags = Idiots

By Clay

April 5, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

What a self-serving, total-disregard-for-the-community concept. How many businesses will suffer some financial consequences because of the people that did not make it to work on time to open the store? What will be the sum total of gas burned by all this traffic at a standstill? There really should be some accountability for such an ill conceived, irresposible action on Six Flags part…

By Harry

April 5, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

It’s a shame the genius who came up with this freebee won’t pay for the problems this mess has caused. They need to be stuck in gridlock like that not to mention all those going to WORK or passing through town caught up in that chaos. Can you hear the packed cars with kids crying and carrying on like lunatics when they don’t get in. Atlanta is too fast a growing city with the explosion in population for any business to try any kind of free promotion like that. The Interstate can’t handle that kind of disruption. It does a poor job under NORMAL circumstances daily. People are worse than herds of cattle getting to a feeding trough. They can’t see the problems that are created under the guise of anything being FREE. Nothing is free its who’s going to pay for it and sadly its the families who thought they could get a free ride or two at six flags not to mention the traveling public very sad!

By K

April 5, 2007 8:04 AM | Link to this

I loved the free highways this morning. Traffic out of Gwinnett county was great. And anyone trying to get in later than 6:00, I feel bad for you. But really Atlanta, you should have known better.

By Amused By The Chaos

April 5, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

The promotion will backfire in certain ways by creating a “PR Nightmare”…but in other ways, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

The only limitation on this promotion that was publicly stated was that “if you are even one minute late, you will not receive free admission. Now it appears that there were a “limited number of free tickets.” This was NOT clearly stated to the general public.

The television news was just showing the Six Flags parking lot - and it is CLEARLY only about 20% full. There seems to have been NO effort to communicate that “the first 10,000” (or whatever the cap was on the free admissions) would only be admitted. The morning news is saying that “the gates are NOW closed…BUT THEY WILL BE OPEN LATER FOR PAID GUESTS.” LOL

I’m also fascinated by the abuse of the promotion - “Six Flags as Daycare”. If you dropped your kids off for the day and then went off to work, you better go back and get them. They probably didn’t get in.

And before you complain - it’s YOUR job to supervise your kids. Not Six Flags’s responsibility.

By Bree

April 5, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

AND DURING SPRING BREAK NO LESS!!!!

ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!

YOU FRUIT CAKES!! WTF!!

By Where's your head at?

April 5, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

Who in their right minds would drop kids off on the interstate in the dark, in the cold and let them WALK to Six Flags? These are serious idiots! Go ahead and blame the radio station and six flags because your precious child had to sit in the cold waiting for a ride or walk a mile to loiter and cause problems for QT and other businesses.

By j

April 5, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

all I have to say is if you were farking stupid enough to go there.. you deserved to sit in that night mare..

Thank god I dont live over there anymore :)

By Linds

April 5, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this

Oh please. This event was a great idea. Yes, of course people are going to show up en masse. And of course there’s going to be gridlock. But at the root of this is goodwill - doing a favor for the Atlanta community.

I truly think the promotions people never expected the event to turn into such a traffic nightmare. Don’t just assume the worst in people right off the bat!

By Koz

April 5, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this

Six Flags = Gang Infested

By Linds

April 5, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Oh please. This event was a great idea. Yes, of course people are going to show up en masse. And of course there’s going to be gridlock. But at the root of this is goodwill - doing a favor for the Atlanta community.

I truly think the promotions people never expected the event to turn into such a traffic nightmare. Don’t just assume the worst in people right off the bat!

By Linds

April 5, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Oh please. This event was a great idea. Yes, of course people are going to show up en masse. And of course there’s going to be gridlock. But at the root of this is goodwill - doing a favor for the Atlanta community.

I truly think the promotions people never expected the event to turn into such a traffic nightmare. Don’t just assume the worst in people right off the bat!

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

BAN SIX FLAGS….FOR THE CHILDREN!!!!

Really…they said that the park was at capacity. I saw a shot of the main parking lot and it was not even 1/4 full and they do not let in walk ups??

They are so full of it!!

I gots ta gets me sum free stuff!!

By Linds

April 5, 2007 8:18 AM | Link to this

Oh please. This event was a great idea. Yes, of course people are going to show up en masse. And of course there’s going to be gridlock. But at the root of this is goodwill - doing a favor for the Atlanta community.

I truly think the promotions people never expected the event to turn into such a traffic nightmare. Don’t just assume the worst in people right off the bat!

By CJ

April 5, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

Get over it!! This was a great idea for a promotion. Common sense tells you that Six Flags can only hold so many people, so whoever thought EVERYONE could get in before 9am is an idiot. Ever seen a Fire Marshall capacity sign before? Every commercial venue has one.

As for the weekday gridlock … umm … have you ever left your house on any weekday morning? Atlanta always has gridlock except on Sundays and Christmas! This too shall pass…

By Josh

April 5, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

Q100/Six Flags screwed this up badly. Atlanta can’t handle these types of free events that are not properly regulated/planned. They should have closed the park to the public and Q100 could have given away the free tickets on the radio. Thus, we wouldn’t be in this mess.

By Rik

April 5, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

You people need to lighten up. There are far worse things than someone being late for work. I was on my way to take my child as a surprise, he did not even know we were going until I heard about the gridlock and turned around. We were dissappointed, but I can’t blame the Bert show. There are 15,000 people in the park right now that are devoted listeners (or will be) and I couldn’t be happier for them.

By SoccerChick

April 5, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Okay… who is going to be held responsible for this and pay for this debacle?! And on another note, why on earth would parents stop on an interstate highway and drop their kids off. Who in their right mind would ever think this is a smart idea. I cannot tell you how many children nearly got hit by folks trying to merge on to I-20 to get to work. Is it really worth the effort to get a free ticket while risking your children’s lives to get them their? Come on people use what the Lord gave ya… your common sense!!

By SoccerChick

April 5, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

Okay… who is going to be held responsible for this and pay for this debacle?! And on another note, why on earth would parents stop on an interstate highway and drop their kids off. Who in their right mind would ever think this is a smart idea. I cannot tell you how many children nearly got hit by folks trying to merge on to I-20 to get to work. Is it really worth the effort to get a free ticket while risking your children’s lives to get them their? Come on people use what the Lord gave ya… your common sense!!

By Jennifer

April 5, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

Seriously people, lighten up. Period.

By atl music

April 5, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this

Hey why not next time have a “how much water can you drink” to get into White water for free!!! that would be sooo cool for Q100s next debacle.

By Yea right

April 5, 2007 8:27 AM | Link to this

I was asked to go and play hookie from work. My common sense told me yesterday that it will be during rush hour when all of this madness will take place. Probably will never make it to get it, so glad I didnt even try!

By whydoyoucare?

April 5, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

I work in the area, and do not listen to Q100, therefore I was late to work because of thier inability to be considerate. At least let other station listeners know about this beforehand. I love hearing about the fist fights typical for this demographic!

By Thomas

April 5, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

Glad I’m so poor or cheap that I can afford tickets for my family. All discounts and sales do is bring out the riff raff. Same stupid people that wait outside of wal-mart all night. Idiots.

By QC

April 5, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

This was a very bad idea Q100 anytime you say FREE everybody & they momma will show up, traffic was crazy, all those kids on the train were acting up, cursing & disrespecting people who were actually trying to “get somewhere on time” so hopefully Q100 will not make this same mistake again next year

have a great day all

By Bratkat

April 5, 2007 8:30 AM | Link to this

I think it was a great idea poorly implemented. Sorry, but free Six Flags for the first 10,000 during spring break. Oh well, my normally 1 hour commute was only 15 minutes this morning.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

OK, who will be the first person to sue Sex Flags over this Armageddon-like nightmare!!! LOL!!

I can only imagine the trash that showed up at the gate this morning….lordy, lordy.

Last time we visited Sex Flags, we were horrified at the white trash and thuggish behavior.

We vowed to never go back…especially since 4 “youths” kept eye-balling my Range Rover.

The worst part was standing in line with the unwashed masses and getting stains on my Polo chinos…our maid had a dickens of a time getting the stains out!

By Big Lu

April 5, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Good job Six Flags, I’m glad someone in this region knows anything about business. Unfortunately you chose the wrong time to conduct the giveaway, shoulda started it at nine or ten instead of 6. But I commend you for taking the bold step of giving away something for free to a freeloading city.

By Connie

April 5, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Q100.5 had and has a responcibility to its listeners for this crap. If there was a limit to the number of people to be admitted they should have did free tickets instead of this stupid ‘DITCH DAY” .My 16 year old just driving was stuck in this crap since 4:45 this morning. Almost out of gas, disappointed and scared. Personally I’ll never listen to the Bert Show again.

By Georgia

April 5, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

My daughter and I went yesterday and it was wonderful… NO lines, no crowds. The longest wait in line for a ride was 20 minutes. We rode every roller coaster at least 7 times.

I am so glad we PLANNED our visit before this mess…..what a nightmare. Especially for those who took the day off from work to take their kids…..what a shame. Yesterday was the best!!!

By sj

April 5, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Just when I thought humanity couldn’t get any dumber they go and prove me wrong!!!

By Connie

April 5, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Q100.5 had and has a responcibility to its listeners for this crap. If there was a limit to the number of people to be admitted they should have did free tickets instead of this stupid ‘DITCH DAY” .My 16 year old just driving was stuck in this crap since 4:45 this morning. Almost out of gas, disappointed and scared. Personally I’ll never listen to the Bert Show again.

By Connie

April 5, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

Q100.5 had and has a responcibility to its listeners for this crap. If there was a limit to the number of people to be admitted they should have did free tickets instead of this stupid ‘DITCH DAY” .My 16 year old just driving was stuck in this crap since 4:45 this morning. Almost out of gas, disappointed and scared. Personally I’ll never listen to the Bert Show again.

By mikegadawg

April 5, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

They reached capacity at 552am. Good for those who got in, sux for those who didnt. Who would have thought there were 15,000 freeloaders ready to before 6am. I dont think anyone expected it. And as far as q100 goes, if you know their listeners and audience, this is no big deal to them. It happens. Literally, u snooze, u lose. Q100 listeners are cool like that.

By Rik

April 5, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this

Thomas, it must be hard looking down on the rest of us from your perch. Not everyone who went today was a freeloader looking to get over. How about the hard working parents that could not take their kids to Six Flags, but tried to provide them with something that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. Elitist scum is what you are.

By LazyGuy

April 5, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this

I can’t stop thinking about how nightmarish the lines inside the park will be today.

You couldn’t pay me to go to Six Flags today. These folks will be lucky to enjoy 2 or 3 rides.

By sunshine411

April 5, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

I am disappointed…its a shame people don’t come out to vote like this.

By Dr.Strangelove

April 5, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Would all these parents get up this early to go VOTE???? but you can get up to go to six flags!!!!! Our priorities are shot to H*ll !!!

By Coweta

April 5, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

Yep, I was one of the thousands of idiots who got turned away this morning. Nothing like dragging a 3 yr old and a 8 yr old out of bed for a 3 hour trip to the Six Flags exit and back. I should have known better. At the same time, Q100 should not play the dumb card of not realizing that people would turn out in the 10’s of thousands for a free $50 pass into the park. Come on..

By Elaine

April 5, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

I listen to Q100 everyday on the drive into work. They did say the only way you would not get into the park between 6am-9am would be if it reached capacity. I don’t feel sorry for anybody not getting in the park, especially the bright parents who let their kids out on the freeway. Where is DFACS? Everyone should have known this was going to be a traffic nightmare. This is Atlanta.

By Outraged & Late For Work

April 5, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

Not only do I blame Six Flags and Q100, but also our wonderful city officials! They need to be thinking ahead when stupid promotions like these are announced. They could have squelched this WAY before it took place and saved everyone a lot of grief!

By Borisdag

April 5, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

It’s Six Flags, what do you expect?

The park is staffed by a bunch of slack-jawed ghetto illiterates and the management is barely capable of keeping litter off the ground!

By the end of the day we’ll be reading reports of who got shot!

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this

RIK, I too would refer to them as freeloaders. If they cannot afford a ticket they should dig ditches or something that would be good for their character.

Remember, the world needs ditch diggers too.

Ta Ta!

By Thomas

April 5, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

This is proof that Six Flags has become like Underground Atlanta. Only people that go there are ones that can’t afford to do anything else. Someone should build a new amusement park and pre-screen the customers, so that the park would stay nice and clean, without all the rednecks and thugs. Kinda like a private school with rides.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 8:43 AM | Link to this

My theory has been proven: there are that many parents who cannot tell their child “no”. If you are sitting in the traffic and it is obivious that you are not going it just TURN AROUND, take the kids home and tell them you’ll take them another day. Don’t let them walk! You are putting your child in DANGER! Do you not care about your child’s safety? Now we got mass of hundreds and hundreds of kids standing around, unattended, far from home with nothing to do and probably not enought money to get anywhere. It is sad. Someone call DEFAC on all these kid’s STUPID parents (yes, you are STUPID to just leave your kids to walk down the highway to Six Flags. You really don’t have a crystal ball to know if they got in - you are just assuming - while you are at work without a clue and your kids have to hunt you down. Sad, really sad - you are parenting by assumtion that everything always goes your way.

By Fay

April 5, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

Man…..I have lived here all my life and never realized how STUCK UP many of the people that live here are!

Sad

By Cynic

April 5, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this

Anyone with any common sense knows that when you hear the word FREE, you run away the opposite direction. Not worth the trouble and hassle. No such thing as a free lunch, people. If it sounds too good to be true, chances are…it is. And today is no exception…they made you think everyone could get in from 6-9am, but apparently they capped it at 15,000 or so. And people dropping off kids on the highway?? And even for the thousands that DID get in, it will be miserable…you might get in AT BEST 3-4 rides today with those lines. Forget it.

By Chris

April 5, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Ha ha ha Q100 is the worst station ever anyway. Half of the “drama” they play on the air is fake or made up anyway.

By Big Lu

April 5, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Rik, ungrateful trash like you give the rest of the freeloading community of atlanta a bad name.

By Unclebuck

April 5, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

XM or Sirius wouldn’t pull a stunt like this.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 8:53 AM | Link to this

FAY, we have just had enough with the trashy element in our city. My gosh, just the other day I saw a bunch of hooligans wearing baggy jeans!!

What does that say about our society??!!

Can’t we all just agree to not be trashy?

I am doing my part by sending my children to a private school and ettiquette lessons, what are you doing?

By More Elitist Scum

April 5, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

I LOVE to go to Six Flags. I pay for a Season Pass and I Pay for Preferred Parking.

I enjoy paying $100+ dollars for that line-cutting thingy that lets me CUT ALL THE LINES IN FRONT OF YOU and the rest of the cattle.

I enjoy riding Goliath 4 times while you wait in line to ride it just once. I enjoy the looks on the faces of those in the cattle line as I step on your faces to ride ahead of you.

And the barbecue is some of the best. I don’t care that I spend $50+ to feed 4 people. It’s what a day in the park costs.

I can’t be bothered waiting in the regular lines with the common people when I can pay my way to assert my superiority.

Money rules. I have it. You don’t.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

Fay, you must not have been to Six Flags in the past 10 years… because many here are just stating the obivious, NOT being stuck up. It is just the obivious truth. I don’t plan to ever go back for many reasons, one is the that fact that I don’t feel safe walking in the parking lot - any many WILL agree with that. There ARE kids just randomly walking, with no parents, around and acting all weird when the security comes around. Why should they act wierd?, because they ARE up to no good. So, I just avoid it so I can keep my car stereo.

By Skreet

April 5, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

“I am doing my part by sending my children to a private school and ettiquette lessons, what are you doing?”

I am homeschooling my 19 children and they are all very ignunt.

By Fay

April 5, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Ok Big Fan….I’m getting it now. You are kidding. YOU GOT ME!

“Polo chinos” LOL

But for real, I wasn’t just talking about you!

By WOW

April 5, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

I’m sure Q100 had the best intentions when planning this event, but didn’t make sure to look at all possible outcomes. The idea that just the listeners would come out was not good planning. I’m not a loyal listener; and so, I heard about this from a co-worker and friends, so of course everyone in and outside Atlanta would come. I thought about attending this, but something told me that something like this would happen. I don’t think it is entirely the station’s fault. They did say that it would be free between 6-9am so people would get there early. They said that after 9am people would have to pay and that if tha park was full people may not get in. Those parents that dropped kids off at the park and on the expressway should be given tickets. That’s so irresponsible and dangerous. So now that whole area has freezing, bored, frustrated kids loitering trying to figure out a way to get in the park or home. Sorry Q100, but this is not a good look. *Shaking my head

By Rewal

April 5, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

How long will it be before the lawsuits start???

By Larry J

April 5, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

You people have lost your minds. Suing Six Flags? Suing Q100? For what?

They had a promotion that was far more successful than anyone possibly would have imagined. This was on a week day - NOT New Year’s Eve.

Do you honestly think Six Flags does not have a capacity? Please.

The people who should be SUED are the geniuses who let their children walk down the side of the interstate or walk to Six Flags.

Life will go on.

All of you “experts” who knew this was going to be bad and had to sit in traffic, why did you use your great intelligence to leave earlier for work - or take a different route?

By nomo

April 5, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this

I went several years ago and wont be back because of the out of control, dirty talking, thugged out, cutting line, starting fights, black kids! Can’t imagine what its like today.

By Nancy

April 5, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

As one of the lucky people who just arrived at work (8:43am) and left their house at 6:30 am - Just want to thank Q100 for the great ride to work. I hope the ‘Guv’ imposes a fine on you just like he did for the nimrod contractor that blocked I-20 last month !!!! What were you guys thinking ????

By Rik

April 5, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

WOW! I knew there were a lot of elitist classist racist scum around, but this is over the top. Why bother saying ghetto, thug and baggy pants? Just take off the white sheet and say the N word. C’mon you know you wanna. Shouldn’t you racists be listening to Boortz while you pleasure yourselves?

By Elle

April 5, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

CALM DOWN PPL!!! What is the big deal? Whenever you say FREE in the ATL thousands of people are going to show up. Don’t you guys have any compassion at all? Tickets for Six Flags are $50 for adults & $30 for kids. If you take a carload of people there that’s at LEAST $200 before you even get into the park! A lot of people cannot afford this, so this was a good opportunity to take entire families.

So what you were inconvienced for a little while because people wanted to go to Six Flags. Don’t you guys realize that Atlanta has reached 5 million people? & FREE….Six Flags only holds around 15,000 people did you guys know that? They reached that at 5:30am! The 1st ppl got there at 2am. If they want to go to six flags let them go. I commend Q100 & Six Flags for offering this to people.

So just chill out get over it. My commute is usually an hr everyday going up the eastside of 285, but I have accepted it! It’s Atlanta, we have the 3rd worse traffic in the country, get used to it…& if not move somewhere with a smaller population…problem solved!

By Fay

April 5, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

What’s funny is that Q100 was making fun of people who were calling in asking a bunch of questions b/c it seemed 2 good 2 B true!! They kept saying “IT’S FREE PEOPLE!!” and “EVERYBODY CAN GET IN FREE!!” and “IT’S NOT THAT DIFFICULT PEOPLE!” and then THIS happens and they are all “GOLLY GEE WILLIKERS!” about it.

By JJ

April 5, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Without a doubt, traffic was aweful this morning. It took me over an hour to travel 15 miles on surface streets through Cobb and Douglas Counties. In Q100’s defense, a week ago, everyone was calling the radio station and telling them thank you for doing this. This mess is really Six Flags’ fault. First of all, if it wasn’t so expensive to get into the park, people wouldn’t be so quick to jump on an opportunity to get in for free. The average family of four drops well over $200 on tickets and parking before they even set foot inside the park gates. Second of all, they stopped letting people in, claiming the park was at “capacity” with 15,000 in the park. The reality is, the park holds closer to 40,000.

By catlady

April 5, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

This was a debacle waiting to happen. Luckily there was no loss of life. It amazes me that parents will do this (or allow their kids to) for something “free”. Those whose kids were dropped off should have had to go to the police station and pick them up, and be charged with abandonment.

I never go to Six Flags (or many of the malls) because of the behavior the proprietors allow with unruly young folks. They must not need my money. The expectations CAN be raised to civil behavior, but the mall owners, etc., think they have to put up with this stuff. So they continue to drive away the upper-middle class folks like me. When and why did we lose control?

By Mrs. Wilson

April 5, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Thomas, wake up. You are living in a dream world. If you are as high and mighty as you want us to believe you are, go build your own little perfect world and live in it by yourself.

By Willie

April 5, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

Prayer for eastbound 20 commuters headed downtown Atlanta: Lord, give us patience for the rest of the day, take any and all anger out of our hearts, please help restore calm in our bodies, and for those responsible, help them to understand this travesty with a healthy fininancial penalty!!! Thank you for your Blessings, Lord. AMEN.

Willie B. (Commuter from Powder Springs)

By Michael

April 5, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

This was not well thought-out on Q100’s part. Poor planning in radio promotions almost always ends badly.

Remember the WKRP turkeys? “As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!”

To go one better, I can go back to the radio station “disco demolition” at White Sox Park in Chicago years ago. The ensuing riot all but destroyed the ballpark and forced the White Sox to forfeit the baseball game being played. That station didn’t recover for years.

Q100 listened to the marketing folks, and didn’t consult with anyone else. And I would have thought the memory of Freaknik wouldn’t be such a dim memory…

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Oh….no you did not, nomo

You did it now….oh snap….

Anyone know where I can pick up some brie and chardonnay on my way to Sex Flags?

My homeboys are picking up the papers…

By RK

April 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

It’s just a good promotion gone too well, that’s all.

And for the person that suggested the weekend? Amusement parks have no problem filling the park up on those days.

By deegee

April 5, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Sure, Thomas. And someone should build a water park for nice looking thin people and make sure that all fat people are excluded.

By what a bunch of whiners

April 5, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

What a bunch of whiners.

If you planned on getting into Six Flags today but were turned away disappointed, blame no one but yourselves. Six Flags, like any other place of business, operates within the confines of a maximum capacity. If maximum was reached prior to your arrival, then you do not get in. You should have had a better game plan for getting into Six Flags free. It was free, no one owes you a thing if you were turned away.

Besides, who in their right mind would WANT to be in the park today. I’m sure the park with be crowded, lines will be long and it’s a bit cool today anyway.

By Brad

April 5, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Here’s an idea! Next time a promotion like this is dreamed up, make the people go to the radio station’s place of business to pick up their free vouchers. That way it will be their nightmare to police up! Fines, they are a comin’

By Katie

April 5, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Having read many of these posts, I have to say: How was Q100 to know this would be such an enormous success? How were they to know that traffic would be tied up for 6+ hours? Furthermore, to those of you who are under the impression that no one that planned this event had to endure the frustration they supposedly “caused”, I would direct you to the Q100 morning show where every host sat in traffic upwards of two hours to get to the broadcast. And more than that, to those of you who claim that the folks at Q100 gave the “impression that EVERYONE” would get in for free, that is patently untrue: for the past two weeks, they have been saying to arrive early because the park does indeed have a capacity that cannot be surpassed, and if that capacity had been reached and you weren’t there, even if you were standing in line, you would not be let into the park.

Moral of the story: a) people will do anything to get something for nothing, and b) when something doesn’t go your way, try getting a little perspective and not passing blame onto everyone else.

By JP

April 5, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

It should not take a particularly intelligent person to realize what a nightmare this would cause in a city the size of Atlanta, not only for people trying to get to work during rush hour but for all the parents trying to take their kids for a day of fun, only to be turned away. There were probably thousands who can’t afford to pay to go to Six Flags trying to get in as well as all the others who just wanted to save the price of admission. I-20 was a parking lot in both directions for hours. Whoever dreamed up this stunt at Six Flags should be fired.

By Confused

April 5, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

So, from what I am hearing is that Six Flags/Q100 is being blamed for parents dropping their kids off on an expressway to get to the park and then the kids having to go to a QuikTrip gas station to stay warm. I don’t remember reading or hearing that SF/Q100 was running a baby sitting service for the day. It is society’s responsibility to take care of your children since you have to work? Don’t have children if you can’t take the responsibility of caring for them. Its not society that made you have babies!

By Groo

April 5, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

The promotion was a great idea, I have four kids by three wives and am now dating a nice Puerto Rican boy named FurRico. We were all able to get in for free. FurRico and I love the freefall.

By Jim

April 5, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

All the ad’s should have specified a limit of the number of people would be accepted. It is false advertising not to clearly state that. The parking lot was not full which indicates this is true. Hopefully many like myself file in small claims. Corporations need to be held accountable and only in numbers will it make a difference to them. Only $ hit them where it counts, not bad PR.

By catlady

April 5, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Remember: Free rides often come with a heavy price.

By SFOG Fan

April 5, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

The words of Walt Kelly’s Pogo spring to mind … “We have met the enemy, and he is us!”

I don’t blame Six Flags for this. They knew full well what was going to happen, and properly worked with Cobb County Police to shut things down as soon as they hit their intended capacity.

I don’t blame Q100 for this. It’s an interesting stunt, and Spring Break is about the only time you can do this. A weekend freebie promotion, some on here have suggested? That’s beyond stupid.

There is a lot of blame to go around, however. We, the citizens of metro Atlanta, north Georgia, middle Georgia and eastern Alabama, are to blame. The crowds that thronged the park and forced them to shut down the gates five minutes before the promotion was even scheduled to start … are us. We are the people with kids (I don’t call them “parents”) who allowed them to walk along an interstate highway in an effort to reach the park.

The Atlanta media that promoted this event WITHOUT mentioning all the details are also to blame. This morning’s reporting of the debacle is the first time I’ve heard that only 10,000 people would get in free. The article that appeared on this website on Monday didn’t mention a cap limit on free attendance. I’m presuming that Q100’s own promotions did mention it, but since I don’t listen to local radio (save for this newspaper’s radio station) I have no idea if this is true.

For the purpose of this rant, I’m going to give Q100 the benefit of the doubt … I’ll go so far as to say that the majority of the people stuck out there heard about the promotion from a source that is NOT Q100!

I’m sure this thing is going to get dissected more and more … except by those who most serious need to.

By ME

April 5, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

What’s funny is that by implying that only KKK people listen to Boortz you are lowering yourself to the same type of stereotypical racism.

By concerned

April 5, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this

I’m angry and demand restitution. I have the radio promo recorded and have already hired an attorney to persue the matter. I also have most of the print ads as proof that there was no cutoff other than the 9:00 am listed.

According to my advisors at Jackson-Hewitt I drove 986 miles from forest Park to Six Flags and another 986 back home after being rejected at the gate. That was in my SUV that gets 3.5 MPG and gas now approaching $7.65 per gallon. I expect to be reimbursed for that expense also.

My 13 illigetimate children were following in their own SUVs and had equal mileage and expense so if Q100 and Six Flags decide they want to offer a settlement prior to court date, I’m making a one time offer: $459,078.00 will make me go away.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Oh when, oh when are they going to start free promotions down at the Country Club?

Luvy and I find it tiresome to stand in line with such ruffians that have no mastery of the English language!

OUTRAGEOUS, I say!!

But I must say, the funnel cakes were divine! I must get out more with the common people.

Oh, and a special “shout out” to Wayne at the gate for letting us in after they stopped admission. Spend that $50 wisely Wayne….

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Sure, Thomas. And someone should build a water park for nice looking thin people and make sure that all fat people are excluded.

LOL! That’s not a bad idea!!!

By Dwayne

April 5, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

This was asinine. Six Flags should receive a stiff fine for causing gridlock throughout the west side of town. Their ill-considered promotion’s effects ranged from inconvenience to serious interference with people’s schedules. Shame on you, Six Flags.

By KP

April 5, 2007 9:25 AM | Link to this

As usual, trying to get something for nothing ends up as a disasterous disappointment.

By Boots

April 5, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

This was a mindless promotion that was destined to inconvenience a lot of people. While there may have been a positive motivation for the promotion, it was not thought through and results in the old adage: “no good deed goes unpunished.”

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this

Sure, Thomas. And someone should build a water park for nice looking thin people and make sure that all fat people are excluded.

LOL! That’s not a bad idea!!!

By Mrs. Wilson

April 5, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

Nomo, meet me outside and I’ll show you a “out of control, dirty talking, thugged out, cutting line, starting fights, black kids”.

By TechWreck

April 5, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

For those od you that are judging the park’s occupancy by the occupancy of the parking lot - have you thought about how many kids were dropped off by their parents on the way to work? Where are their parents’ cars?

By Rik

April 5, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

ME, so what’s your point?

By Connie

April 5, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

This is 100% Q100.5 FAULT!!!! They advised all week to show up by six a.m. and when that happened those people were left out. My daughter, just get her license, was stuck in this mess over 4 hours, almost ran out of gas sitting on I-20. This should have been did with free tickets not a ditch day- what a mess. It is annoying heraing the dj’s of this radio station laugh and joke about the thousands of people stuck on I-20. That really fuels the fire. How irresponcible can a station be. Personally the Bert Show and the stattion can go to hell for all I care. They promoted this poorly and now thousands of kids are stuck trying to get home or sitting in traffic. Losers!!!

By freshdaddy30

April 5, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

A really dumb idea on spring break for the local schools. Turning people away at 6am when your promotion says free from 6ma - 9am and not thinking of the traffic consequences is poor or po planning.

By Kim Bowers

April 5, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

A better thank you to the ATL community would have been a special summer long discount for residents only - like Disney does for Florida residents. This was a stunt - not a gift to Atlanta. Or give several days away to deserving community groups who can plan ahead! That’s generosity.

By Kim Bowers

April 5, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

A better thank you to the ATL community would have been a special summer long discount for residents only - like Disney does for Florida residents. This was a stunt - not a gift to Atlanta. Or give several days away to deserving community groups who can plan ahead! That’s generosity.

By Austell Residence

April 5, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

who’s gonna pay for the 2 hours I lost after being late for work. Mail my Season Pass to my house ASAP! or I will be calling my Lawyer. Make me go away!

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

$459,078.00 will make me go away.

BAHAHAHAHA. Yall are too much. LOL @ the common people!

By Steve

April 5, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

What’s the point. Half the rides are probably broken anyway. At this point, SFOA should just tear down Deja Vu and sell it for scrap.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

Folks…folks….PLEASE watch your spelling and use of the English language!!

Here is a tip…before you post in this blog…type up your response in an email window, hit “spell check”, make corrections, cut/paste into the blog comments box and submit.

It is very distressing to see so much bad spelling…I know where your kids get there edukashion now…sigh….LOL!!

Oh…BAN SIX FLAGS….FOR THE CHILLINS!!

By QC

April 5, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

^5 Willie

By Fay

April 5, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

Katie—-

I understand where you are coming from and I by all means while listening to Q100 (I listen every morning) had decided NOT to go because it just didn’t seem like my cup of tea and I knew that even if what happened today didn’t happen, it would still be PACKED just like any other day at Six Flags and I am young and can afford to go when I want because I don’t have a big family. ANYWAYS, my point is that I NEVER heard them say anything about capacity……(NOW even tho I UNDERSTOOD AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS COMMON SENSE some people OBVIOUSLY DIDN’T)

I believe that Q100 DID say something about it, and I must have missed it, but if I missed it then they didn’t say it ENOUGH because I heard them talk about it EVERY MORNING and never heard anything…….

By Sheri

April 5, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

I didn’t try to get to Six Flags today because of work. Our office is over by Charlie Brown Airport (Fulton Industrial). Due to the massive gridlock, it took me 3 hours to make the drive from Villa Rica to work! Ridiculous… left home at 6am and arrive shortly after 9am….

Hope those that made it into Six Flags enjoy themselves because it was a miserable morning for me.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 9:37 AM | Link to this

The fault goes not just to Q100/Six Flags, but the parents too. The parents are also to blame. It is their kids who are standing around because their parents couldn’t be bother to be a parent and make sure their kids got in ok, their job was more important than their child’s safety. You can get another job, you cannot replace your kid’s life.

By sofia

April 5, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

It’s because the GP is so nasty that this happened.

By Give me a break

April 5, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

There is no way to make anyone happy in this world. Suing Q100 and Six Flags for being inconvenienced, come on people. Are you going to sue every single tractor trailer that jack knives because some stupid little car cut it off?? You live in Atlanta you are inconvenienced by traffic every single day!! As for those that tried to get in the park well you should have gotten up earlier. If you want something for free you better expect to wait. Q100 and Six Flags had no idea how successful this promotion was going to be. As for the parents that actually let their kids off on the freeway…well they need to have “DO NOT BREED” stamped across their foreheads!

By CDS

April 5, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

I can appreciate what Q100 was trying to do. It’s spring break, and offering listeners a free pass into the park was a great, but flawed idea.

You are telling listeners that they can get into the park free during the already hectic morning commute to Atlanta. Why couldn’t they have done it on the weekend? You don’t have nearly the same amount of people trying to get into Atlanta between 6am-9am on Saturday morning.

And as I was on my way to work, I couldn’t help but notice the surprising amount of unadulterated kids sprinting down I-20 just after the on-ramp. I want someone to find who their parents are, and call them out for the morons that they are. This isn’t school you’re dropping them off at. It’s an amusement park who is letting anyone in for free.

Q100 should’ve been smarter than this. Someone had to have had half a brain to figure out that this would turn into a nightmare. I don’t listen to Q100, and I doubt that I will after this debacle.

And for the parents who let their kids go unsupervised into the park, need I remind you that that part of town is not a very safe place? I wouldn’t be surprised to hear about these kids getting robbed or dare I say shot because you were too ignorant to tell your spoiled kids NO.

This was just a flawed premise from the get-go, and Q100 is going to receive a LOT of nasty publicity about this.

By Mark

April 5, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Kids walking down the side of the interstate? Where’s Wayne Williams when we need him?

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

OK, I think that everyone at Q100 should go to some sort of rehab for this misdeed.

By WHAT DID YOU EXPECT

April 5, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

Free + Ghetto = 1. Fights 2. Kids being dropped off on the interstate Big Fan, Shut the He!! up!!!! This is a blog not a damn English paper!!! Who the heck puts so much effort to type a damn response!!!

By T

April 5, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this

They didn’t run out of free tickets!! The park is at capacity. Looks like a successful promotion to me! What are parents thinking dropping these kids off on the side of the road??? I guess it would be Q100/Six Flags fault if they were run over too, huh?? STUPID!!

By sofia

April 5, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

It’s because the GP is so nasty that this happened.

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Big Fan you might wanna take ya own advice sweetie..there when you meant their..BAHAHAHAHA!!!

By Me

April 5, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

“As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.” Arthur Carlson

By Westside

April 5, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

And here i was thinking there would be less traffic on the road this week due to Spring Break. Who was the ‘genius’ that thought of this bright idea. He needs the wrong testicle removed, just like the vet at the VA hospital in Cali.

By Mimi

April 5, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

No, I had no plans to visit the park, but nonetheless, got caught in the gridlock that resulted from 6-Flags FAILING TO THINK THIS THING THROUGH. What idiocy to plan a “Ditch Work” day during (“Hello!) spring break when they (or someone) should have realized the response such an offer would generate. What happens to those season pass holders who are turned away? The public relations nightmare generated by this half-baked scheme will haunt 6-Flags for the remainder of the season, and I for one say “Serves them right!”

As the “only those in cars will be allowed in” ruling, if this wasn’t made clear during the promotional phase, the park will indeed be fortunate if there are no tragedies resulting from 200 - 300 kids trying to come up with a Plan B.

Six Flags - you blew it!

By Jay

April 5, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

It’s a sad state of affairs when a giant panda regularly exhibits better parenting skills than thousands of humans in Atlanta. I’m a libertarian, but I would seriously consider granting our government the right to sterilize certain people.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this

The fault goes not just to Q100/Six Flags, but the parents too. The parents are also to blame. It is their kids who are standing around because their parents couldn’t be bother to be a parent and make sure their kids got in ok, their job was more important than their child’s safety. You can get another job, you cannot replace your kid’s life.

By T

April 5, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this

They didn’t run out of free tickets!! The park is at capacity. Looks like a successful promotion to me! What are parents thinking dropping these kids off on the side of the road??? I guess it would be Q100/Six Flags fault if they were run over too, huh?? STUPID!!

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Big Fan you might wanna take ya own advice sweetie..there when you meant their..BAHAHAHAHA!!!

By nomo

April 5, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

Oh hush up Mrs. Wilson and go pick up your kids!

By Westside

April 5, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

And here i was thinking there would be less traffic on the road this week due to Spring Break. Who was the ‘genius’ that thought of this bright idea. He needs the wrong testicle removed, just like the vet at the VA hospital in Cali.

By Westside

April 5, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

And here i was thinking there would be less traffic on the road this week due to Spring Break. Who was the ‘genius’ that thought of this bright idea. He needs a testicle removed, just like the vet at the VA hospital in Cali.

By ME

April 5, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

My point has already been proven

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

Hey, how about all the folks that took Marta to Sex Flags, were they turned away too?

If so, someone needs to drop a dime to Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson.

No Justice, No Peace.

By SFOG Fan

April 5, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

I’ve been going to the park for nearly 30 years now, and in my opinion it is not the park itself that has changed. They’ve always tried to provide a fun, safe atmosphere for guests.

What has changed is the community that now feeds the park. Central Florida’s theme parks must promote to and attract guests from all over the country (if not the world) or they wouldn’t survive. Local parks, like Six Flags, Carowinds in Charlotte, et al, rely almost exclusively on the locals.

In the early 1980s, my parents (and yes, I had “parents,” not people who had me) had no problem dropping my younger brother and myself off at the park … not because the park was a baby-sitting service, but because we were both raised right. We didn’t cut in line, we didn’t start fights, we didn’t loiter in the parking lot. We came to ride some rides and eat some junk food and have a good time outdoors. And, from what I could see, the rest of the park guests were raised the same way.

Nowadays, things are much different, and this is in no way the park’s fault. Sure the rides are bigger and the cost to get in is much higher, but overall it hasn’t changed that much. What has changed is the metropolitan area that feeds it.

By RK

April 5, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this

I did hear an announcement on the MARTA this morning that “Six Flags is closed”…

I can’t believe anyone thinks that an amusement park would give away free tickets on the weekend. Please.

By Connie

April 5, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Yea, a stunt only. Perhaps the management of 6-flag’s hoped some would simply pay the 50.00 and get into the park. 6-flags owes the Atlanta community something for the years of support we have given. I don’t see how they could close the park with the parking area 1/4 full, oh yea now i get it, to make $$$$$. I personally don’t like 6 flags because as many on here have mentioned it is nothing but punk ass kids and thugs who show no respect for themselves or anyone else. I tried to convince my daughter not to go today, I knew it would be a mess. I guess Mothers really do know what is best. Good lesson leanrt for her and I get to be RIGHT

By Rik

April 5, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Why didn’t they do this next week so all the kids could’ve skipped school. Or better yet all the home school La Leche moms would’ve showed up with their kids breastfeeding and practicing their spelling for next year’s bee.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

SFOG Fan, well said.

In case you folks missed it, here it is: “I’ve been going to the park for nearly 30 years now, and in my opinion it is not the park itself that has changed. They’ve always tried to provide a fun, safe atmosphere for guests.

What has changed is the community that now feeds the park. Central Florida’s theme parks must promote to and attract guests from all over the country (if not the world) or they wouldn’t survive. Local parks, like Six Flags, Carowinds in Charlotte, et al, rely almost exclusively on the locals.

In the early 1980s, my parents (and yes, I had “parents,” not people who had me) had no problem dropping my younger brother and myself off at the park … not because the park was a baby-sitting service, but because we were both raised right. We didn’t cut in line, we didn’t start fights, we didn’t loiter in the parking lot. We came to ride some rides and eat some junk food and have a good time outdoors. And, from what I could see, the rest of the park guests were raised the same way.

Nowadays, things are much different, and this is in no way the park’s fault. Sure the rides are bigger and the cost to get in is much higher, but overall it hasn’t changed that much. What has changed is the metropolitan area that feeds it.”

Well said SFOG FAN, well said….

By Hart

April 5, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

I just want to thank Q100 for giving me an excuse to turn around after traveling about 5 miles down I-75 from Acworth. Whew! I thought I was gonna have to spend a cold day at 6 flags with the “bubbas and brothers”. U guys are da-bomb.

By The Great Pumpkin

April 5, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

I’d prefer the freeloaders stay home on voting day.

By Johnny John John

April 5, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

You know, all this is W’s fault. If we still had Bill, everyone in Atlanta would have gotten in this morning.

By atl_techdude

April 5, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Good people of Atlanta. No need to respond to ill spirited comments of these local Metro Atlanta Hill Billies. As for the horrible traffic situation that was caused by this morning’s hoax, I will not take or allow my kids to visit Six Flags this year. I think that keeping my money in my wallet this year will be my form of protest and I suggest others do the same.

By atl_techdude

April 5, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Good people of Atlanta. No need to respond to ill spirited comments of these local Metro Atlanta Hill Billies. As for the horrible traffic situation that was caused by this morning’s hoax, I will not take or allow my kids to visit Six Flags this year. I think that keeping my money in my wallet this year will be my form of protest and I suggest others do the same.

By 911

April 5, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

you guys are a bunch of wimps! you people are scared to go to the mall,the underground & six flags because of the kids and violence.You guys complain about traffic,blacks,mexicans,rednecks and poor people. Well you live in Atlanta! which is a major city,it happens in any major city in America,there is traffic,crime and violence. So if you don’t like it don’t live in a major city! move to Iowa,Montana,or Vermont.But please stop complaining about Atlanta and just move away!

By Bobby

April 5, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

“If Six Flags ain’t a lot like Dixie, I don’t wanna go! If Six Flags ain’t a lot like Dixie, I just assume stay home!!”

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

I can tell you without a doubt this is why there were so many kids walking down the side of the highway. One really stupid parent lets their kids go with this great plan of “walking down the highway, we will get their faster than those just sitting here. We will get in!” So, the parent wants to be their kids “best bud” and wants to be “cool” and says “sure, but be safe.” As these kids start walking some other kids see this and and think everyone is doing this so “mom (or dad) look, everyone else is walking can I?” Again, another “buddy-buddy, I cannot say no to my perfect child” parents says “sure, but be safe”. So this has a domino effect. Everyone thinks that everyone is doing it, thus it must be fine (and the parents, god-forbit, don’t want to look uncool and think their children have all the wisdom, plus they really got to go to work) and we then end up with 200-300+ “know-it-all” spoiled, “perfect” kids with parents who rather do anything but say “no” or not be “buddy-buddy”. Proves AGAIN that in this area of the country kids rule the parents. It cannot be anymore clearer, situations like this PROVE it.

By 911

April 5, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

you guys are a bunch of wimps! you people are scared to go to the mall,the underground & six flags because of the kids and violence.You guys complain about traffic,blacks,mexicans,rednecks and poor people. Well you live in Atlanta! which is a major city,it happens in any major city in America,there is traffic,crime and violence. So if you don’t like it don’t live in a major city! move to Iowa,Montana,or Vermont.But please stop complaining about Atlanta and just move away!

By Cosmo

April 5, 2007 10:02 AM | Link to this

I worked at Six F* back in the early 90’s and the park can accomodate 50,000 to 60,000 people. Cutting off at 15,000 is ridiculous, especially when they plan to open the gates back up for paying customers. Q100 should have made it known that only the 1st 15,000 would be let in. They really screwed up.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

I can tell you without a doubt this is why there were so many kids walking down the side of the highway. One really stupid parent lets their kids go with this great plan of “walking down the highway, we will get their faster than those just sitting here. We will get in!” So, the parent wants to be their kids “best bud” and wants to be “cool” and says “sure, but be safe.” As these kids start walking some other kids see this and and think everyone is doing this so “mom (or dad) look, everyone else is walking can I?” Again, another “buddy-buddy, I cannot say no to my perfect child” parents says “sure, but be safe”. So this has a domino effect. Everyone thinks that everyone is doing it, thus it must be fine (and the parents, god-forbit, don’t want to look uncool and think their children have all the wisdom, plus they really got to go to work) and we then end up with 200-300+ “know-it-all” spoiled, “perfect” kids with parents who rather do anything but say “no” or not be “buddy-buddy” sitting around NOT in Six Flags. Proves AGAIN that in this area of the country kids rule the parents. It cannot be anymore clearer, situations like this PROVE it.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

I can tell you without a doubt this is why there were so many kids walking down the side of the highway. One really stupid parent lets their kids go with this great plan of “walking down the highway, we will get their faster than those just sitting here. We will get in!” So, the parent wants to be their kids “best bud” and wants to be “cool” and says “sure, but be safe.” As these kids start walking some other kids see this and and think everyone is doing this so “mom (or dad) look, everyone else is walking can I?” Again, another “buddy-buddy, I cannot say no to my perfect child” parents says “sure, but be safe”. So this has a domino effect. Everyone thinks that everyone is doing it, thus it must be fine (and the parents, god-forbit, don’t want to look uncool and think their children have all the wisdom, plus they really got to go to work) and we then end up with 200-300+ “know-it-all” spoiled, “perfect” kids with parents who rather do anything but say “no” or not be “buddy-buddy” sitting around NOT in Six Flags. Proves AGAIN that in this area of the country kids rule the parents. It cannot be anymore clearer, situations like this PROVE it.

By workerbee

April 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

All I can say is good one Q100.
Traffic was an absolute nightmare this morning. And I-20 is generally not great on a morning when there is not a half thought out publicity stunt! I have made it to work, but my husband is still stuck out in that crap. I do feel for the people who tried to get tickets. There are thousands of ticked off people out there right now from the daily commuter, like me, to the people from out of town, or day care kids on a field trip that won’t be able to get in to the park today. This would have been a great deal on the weekends. There are so many parents out there who can’t afford to take their kids to Six Flags and it is a great deal for them. I guess not so much publicity for the Bert Show if it was done on the weekend though…

By D

April 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

What type of parent in their right minds would drop off kids at a park not knowing if they were even getting in a drive off to go to work? These parents should be arrested. This is just stupid. The bigest stupid stunt was doing this during springbreak! Are there idiots running the promotions at six flags or what!

By Sarah

April 5, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

I personally don’t feel that this is Q100’s fault. What a great idea/promotion! For anyone who’s been paying attention, there’s been ample warning about the heavy traffic around Six Flags this morning. I myself would have participated in Ditch Day, but thought better of it when realizing that as much as this has been advertised there was no way the gates would still be open at 9am! Any moron would realize how many people were going to take advantage of this promotion. And for the parents who were dropping their kids off and/or letting them walk down the interstate…that’s nobody’s fault but the parents. Q100 isn’t to blame for this mess; Atlantans are.

By Al

April 5, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

Hmmmm, looks like the entitlement society is in full force today.

By the way, Spartan Caver, 1000 x 30 minutes is 500 hours, not 30000, you’re only off by 6000%, you wanna-be intellectual powerhouse.

By D

April 5, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this

What type of parent in their right minds would drop off kids at a park not knowing if they were even getting in a drive off to go to work? These parents should be arrested. This is just stupid. The bigest stupid stunt was doing this during springbreak! Are there idiots running the promotions at six flags or what!

By sofagirl

April 5, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

I just wanted to get in because of the $34.99 Season Pass Deal. Come on Six Flags/Q100 extend that deal to everyone who couldn’t get in.

By CJ

April 5, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe how many people are angry because they couldn’t take advantage of something FREE! Unless you pay for it, you have no right to get mad if whatever’s free runs out. In this case it was admittance to 6 Flags.

BTW - just because the parking lot was 1/4 full doesn’t mean people didn’t flood the park by vans and buses, or drive-by child dropping.

By Rik

April 5, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

ME, my comments must’ve hit a little to close to home. Boortz masks hit racism (not very well) and then excuses it by having his Tom laugh at his jokes.

By QTee

April 5, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this

I would like to thank COBB COUNTY POLICE Dept for the awesome job they did!!! They called in a lot of their off duty officers to come in and handled the gridlock VERY well and fast!!! Way To Go Cobb PD!!!

We Love ya, and we need ya!!!

By D

April 5, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

What type of parent in their right minds would drop off kids at a park not knowing if they were even getting in a drive off to go to work? These parents should be arrested. This is just stupid. The bigest stupid stunt was doing this during springbreak! Are there idiots running the promotions at six flags or what!

By D

April 5, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

What type of parent in their right minds would drop off kids at a park not knowing if they were even getting in a drive off to go to work? These parents should be arrested. This is just stupid. The bigest stupid stunt was doing this during springbreak! Are there idiots running the promotions at six flags or what!

By Really Peeved

April 5, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

I hope Six Flags catches tons of lawsuits from local businesses and the City for the chaos they caused. I’m sure they contributed to massive loss of earnings and productivity with their little “promotional stunt”.

I SPENT 3 HOURS COMMUTING IN FROM DOUGLASVILLE THIS MORNING!!!

Not the mention this was a scam. My daughter spent hours camping out there, only to find out that they only handed out so many vouchers, after which time you cannot get in free. Six Flags knew this all along and only intended to steer customers to the park on such a rotten day for amusement anyway with the hopes of capturing PAYING customers.

B@stards!!!

By Stop-n-Go

April 5, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Has anyone considered that the idea may have originated from Six Flags themselves, and that Q100 is merely the way it was advertised? Sure, you could say that capacity notices should have been more clearly defined, but it’s not Q100’s fault at all that the park had to close due to capacity.

As for the comments about the parking lot being 20% full —- some of those cars were carrying more than 4 people each. There aren’t going to be 15,000 cars for the 15,000 people; the most there would possible be would be 5,000 cars (at 3 people per car). And since some cars/trucks/buses held more than 4 people at a time, the fact that the parking lot didn’t show as full should not be used as an indicator that the park is empty. (sounds like you’re using the “How can I be overdrawn, I still have checks left!” theory for park management)

And yeah — families that were letting their kids walk on the highways to get in the park were just idiots. I think we can all agree on that one.

By John

April 5, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

I know it’s spring break people but get a life, it’s Six Flags not Disney!!

By sad 4 good families

April 5, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

I think everyone is missing something here … they closed the gates because the fire marshall capacity for the park was reached at 5:52 AM according to the Bert Show. BUT that was the capacity for the PART of the park that was open. NOT the entire park.

Several times Q100 morning hosts talked about Six Flags doing a rolling opening … additional PARTS of the park opening to guests every 30 minutes to an hour between 6AM and 9AM. SO by the time the ENTIRE park is open at 10AM (when paying customers get in) … the capacity is much higher.

I feel really saddened for the families with small children who’ve been calling and emailing the Bert Show for weeks now … thanking them for the opportunity to do something nice for their kids that they couldn’t afford otherwise.

Shame on Q100 and Six Flags for misleading (they had to know about the low cutoff when most of the park is closed) and leaving this information out of the promos!!! Shame on Jeff for lying to try to cover a terrible mess by the station …

BOO BERT and crew

By Katie

April 5, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

Another reason not to listen to Q100, I never have and never will. the above poster is correct, 6 flags = ghetto slum haven. The park is full of little thugs and white trash.

By Big Trouble

April 5, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

I love the way people are upset at SF or Q100. This blog has been nothing but laughs.

A “person” is smart; “people” are stupid.

Best of luck to all of you.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Let me go on the record right now:

I ain’t skeered of blacks, Messicans, Puerto Ricans, Southerners (in general), Yankees, whitey, mooslims, et al…..

Some of my BEST friends are all of the above.

I dare Golden Corral or Ryan’s to put on a freebie…thousands in the metro ATL area will die

LOL!!

By TA

April 5, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Q100 told everyone to get there early…It’s a free day at Six Flags of course it sold out fast. Do you know how many people live here

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

Why would you let your child who just got their driver’s license. Get up early this morning and drive on the interstates in the dark to go to Six Flags? Did you really think that was a good idea? Stop blaming others for your irresponsibility.

I think DFACS should do a sweep of the area and pick-up every kid under 16 that is not with a parent and lives more than 3 miles from the park. Stop being friends and start being PARENTS. The problem is too many of you are children to begin with.

Sue Q100 or Six Flags for a traffic jam. Good one. Do you sue the Falcons or Braves when they have a home game and tie up the connector. How about suing Atlanta Motor Speedway for their traffic jams.

By Joe

April 5, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

This event confirms my original impression of six flags some 30+- years ago…when someone asked me what I thought of it, I said “If I were asked to define ‘hell’, I would simply say ‘Six Flags”!!

Glad I was not at the festivities this morning or at the expressway!

Joe

By ME

April 5, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

ME——Rik YOU WERE CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK! PERIOD! That is all that I was saying, If you can’t understand that I’m sorry!

I am also sorry you want to continue this with me. YOU said a statement that was JUST AS BAD as what you were complaining about others saying. It has NOTHING to do with my taste or Boortz taste or what he says.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

Folks, I have to leave now…

Thanks for the laughs, hope no one was offended, all in fun.

Y’all have a good day, cannot wait to see the TeeVee news later today, I am sure they will hype the ever loving h$ll out of this story….LOL!!

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

I dare Golden Corral or Ryan’s to put on a freebie…thousands in the metro ATL area will die

HA HAAA! Big Fan is funny!

By And Another Thing

April 5, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

I loved this part of the gridlock article:

“Many were youngsters who had been dropped off by parents who had to go to work. Alyssa Davis, 15, came with friends from Conyers. A parent dropped them off, never thinking the teens would not get into the park.”

Yup, responsible parents around these parts. Six Flags is not a day care center. That’s what Gwinnett Place Mall is for.

By Samantha

April 5, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

I think Six Flags and Q100 where doing a good thing. If it was not for this ditch day many people who made it into the park would not have had a chance to go to Six Flags. If people would have listened to the Bert Show the past few days they would have heard the warnings that said they did not have any idea about how many people would go. It is not the park or Q100’s fault that parents where letting their children out on the highway. That is just bad parenting. Also the deal with the citations that where issued, the drivers who received them did something to get them. GET OVER IT, YOU DID IT YOU PAY THE TICKET!!!!!!!!! If these people that are griping had gotten into the park they wouldn’t be so negative.

By J-are'

April 5, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

It’s after 10am and my wife is stuck in traffic on Thornton Road. I wouldn’t call it a disaster but a nightmare for local law enforcement and businesses.

By A former SF Worker

April 5, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

The capacities I’ve read while skimming through this blog are bogus. 10-15K guests are numbers for a slow Sunday; capacity is well above that. Bottom line is Q100 should have been specific in how many people would be admitted and that this is not TRUE CAPACITY for the park.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

“A parent dropped them off, never thinking the teens would not get into the park.”

HAHAHA!! I guess these parents have always given their kids everything they want for so long they forgot the rest of the world doesn’t work that way.

By SJacops

April 5, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

I think Q-100 should get fined, at the least. Companies lost time, people missed flights….what is going to be done?

By Yep

April 5, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

The pictures say it all!

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

“A parent dropped them off, never thinking the teens would not get into the park.”

HAHAHA!! I guess these parents have always given their kids everything they want for so long they forgot the rest of the world doesn’t work that way.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this

I commute from Douglasville everyday. This morning was absolutely rediculous. Somebody should be fined for this. Did they consider the regular morning rush hour traffic. Apparently not. I spent over two hours trying to get to work this morning. This was a stupid, stupid, stupid idea.

By dlsparks

April 5, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

THAT WAS JUST DUMB!!!!

By Rik

April 5, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

ME, I knew darn well what I was doing. I was stating that there is a new language for the racists. And that they should just be up front about their racism. My words were directed at the predominately white male demographic that Boortz has. He uses the same code that his fans do. As a white male native Georgian, I can speak frankly and fairly in generalities about other white male Georgians without being a racist in doing so. Therefore I am not a Black Kettle. I am sorry that you cannot understand that.

By Kat

April 5, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

The reference to the fictional blunder by WKRP is right on. All I could hear was “oh, the humanity!!” But seriously folks… I keep reading how 6 flags is too expensive for a lot of people so they are just taking advantage of an opportunity is fine. However, to state that there should be class action lawsuits over this is ridiculous. The reason that it costs that amount is because of the over head related to running this type of business and then hoping to make a profit at the end of the day. This is not welfare, this is business. Stop thinking that everything should be given to you and not have to work for it. I can’t get everything I want either. Do I wish that I could purchase St. John outfits or a 7 series BMW, sure, but I can’t. Does that mean that St. John and BMW should price their goods at where I can afford them. NO! I would love to eat at Bacchanalia every week. Sure! But I can’t afford that. I can potentially save up and splurge for a special occassion, but that is something that if I wanted to do it, I would have to save up for over a long period of time. I know tht $200 is a lot to get a family of 4 into the doors of the amusement park, but if it were cheaper, the rides would not be as good and safety would be impacted.

And lastly, the path to Hades is paved with good intentions… I hope that Q100 brought some breadcrumbs with them to find their way back on the path…

By Po20

April 5, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

Hey there Mr. & Mrs. Polo Wearer,

How dare you partake in this event with common humans. Why youy drive a Range Rover and are high and mighty. You are catered to. You are unlike the world huh. Well news flash. Range Rover???? Is that suppose to be something exotic? You have a VEHICLE. Well I have a JET! You have a MAID? I have a SERVANT! You wear Polo? We go nude in our castle. But wait a minute why am I addressing someone like YOU. I HEREBY SALUTE YOU FOR DRIVING A MECHANICAL DEVICE AND HAVE A WIFE(I mean MAID!)Turning your BIG nose in the air. My nose is BIGGER THAN YOURS. The difference is mine smells better! -I don’t go to Six Flags. HELL I OWN IT!

By dlsparks

April 5, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

THAT WAS JUST DUMB!!!!

By P** AT Q-100!

April 5, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

The answer is very simple … NEVER LISTEN TO Q-100 AGAIN … especially if an Arbitron rep calls you! STAR 94 never has a problem with THEIR promotions - seems like their listeners have a BRAIN and the promotions department has competent people!

By Lou Ann

April 5, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is. There is no one to blame except those who thought they could actually get something (a $50 admission fee) for nothing (free). You could not have paid me to be at Six Flags today!

By stuck at work

April 5, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

My family and friends got into the park this morning because they planned ahead of time and got there early. Come on people, free means get there early and be ready to wait, they, meaning ADULTS and kids were at the park at 3:15a.m. this morning. Q-100 and Six Flags thanks for the ditch day, sorry i couldn’t ditch work, but glad my family made it in. And by the way thanks for the discount on the annual passes. The early bird still catches the worm or in this case the free rides..

By Deb

April 5, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Never under estimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

By Eloise

April 5, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Çouldn’t Six Flags have alerted area business owners ahead of time? My employees missed a key meeting with a client because of this entirely preventable traffic fiasco. If we lose this account, maybe Six Flags should pick up the slack.

By J-Land

April 5, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

It was a BIG mess. I was very very very late to work as I am sure sooo sooo many others.This should have been done on a weekend not during the week when most people have to work. What was six flags and the radio thinking!!! And all the people that was turned away. was that fair to them?? I think that Q100 and Six flags should have compensated them in some way or another instead they turned them away after sitting in traffic for hours. not cool not cool at all. yall should have just gave away tickets on the radio. and flooded your phone lines in stead of the hwy.

By Lou Ann

April 5, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is. There is no one to blame except those who thought they could actually get something (a $50 admission fee) for nothing (free). You could not have paid me to be at Six Flags today!

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Fine Six Flags? Get a life. How about we fine the parents who dropped their kids off or let their 16 year-olds with their brand new drivers licenses out on to the interstates early this morning.

What did Six Flags do wrong. And to all the people who stated they should have said how many get in free, do you really think if they said the first 10 thousand get in free it would have stopped many people from trying to go there?

By Pi**ed

April 5, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

COMPLETE GRIDLOCK-COULDN’T GET OUT OF SUBDIVISION THIS MORNING!!!! DID NO ONE THINK ABOUT MORNING RUSH HOUR??

By Deb

April 5, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

By WTF

April 5, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

I would like to salute Six Flags, Q100, and the Cobb County Police for creating a fine mess this morning. I live only about 1 mile from the Six Flags front gate and was turned away from the ramp onto I-20 this morning. I WAS TRYING TO LEAVE THE AREA!!! But because Cobb County Police in their infinite wisdom decided not to let anyone onto I-20E at Six Flags Dr. it took me 2 1/2 hours to ge to work this morning. To all involved….thanks for nothing.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this

AJC Blogmaster….don’t shut this blog down too soon…funniest comments I have read in a looooong time!!

By Big Trouble

April 5, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

GREAT NEWS

Q100 just announced that due to the overwhelming success of the Six Flags Ditch Day promotion that they will be doing it again, TOMORROW.

From the Q100 web site: Bert Weis “Six Flags Management and The Bert Show feel terrible for all the people that wanted to attend and could not due to the traffic concerns. We have now learned from our mistakes and want to correct the situation. By continuing the Bert Show Ditch Day promotion to tomorrow, Friday, April 5th, it will allow for all of the people to enjoy another free day.”

Come one, come all.

By To-ranny

April 5, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Help me!

I’ve been in line for mo-mo the monster for three hours now and I still have not been on the ride!

I wish I would have stayed home instead of having my parents, who are really cool friends, drop me off on I20.

By deb

April 5, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

By Diane B

April 5, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

My mid-teen daughter asked if she and a friend could go to Six Flags today with the free offer and I said, “NO WAY”. One, this is Atlanta — say “free” and it’s like crying “Fire!” in a crowded movie theatre. Two, do I really want my kid hanging out in an amusement park with the sort of folks who have nothing better to do at 3:30 am than to stand in line for an amusement park? Nope. I don’t blame Q-100 or Six Flags for the promotion — it seems like a great good-will offer, and the 10,000 who did get in are probably having a great time. Good for them. They are probably freezing, but having a good time …!

By Karen B

April 5, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

I would certainly like to know what the ramifications are against Six Flags over Georgia this morning with their bonehead move. As a service industry with cranes scheduled all over the city seven days a week, we are experience HUGE delays this morning. We have already lost revenue due to having to cancel jobs because 1) our employees, on average this morning, are running 1 and 15 minutes late in getting to our yard, and 2) because of those delays, jobs later in the day have now had to be cancelled. Our phones are not ringing this morning because our contractors/customers are also delayed. What were they thinking? And parents? Just dropping their kids off on the interstate to fend for themselves to get into the park. Isn’t cheap daycare nice? I’m appalled and expect the Governor to publicly denounce Six Flags for such a bonehead move in Atlanta traffic, during Spring Break. If we had a leg to stand on we would sue Six Flags for our lost revenue!

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

OH SNAP….AGAIN….TOMORROW….ON A FRIDAY??!!

FOR REAL??

By Austell Residence

April 5, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this

Douglasville and Cobb County residence should have a free day pass @ Six Flags and Q100 should pay for it.

By Elisa

April 5, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

What did Six Flags do wrong? Let me count the ways… Six Flags could have 1) Communicated via the airwaves when the park was full; released messaging encouraging others still on the road to go home 2) Coordinated with Cobb County and Douglas County police to manage traffic at Six Flags, neighboring exits AND surrounding streets 3) Alerted area business owners BEFOREHAND. God help anyone who works in the Thornton Road area.

By Sharon

April 5, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

This morning’s mess was—A MESS!! Q-100 did great advertisement but poor planning. One can’t blame Six Flags because they were paid by Q100 to host the event. Many of the kids walking to the park weren’t from the interstate but moreso from the apts along Six Flags Pkwy. Sadly, the park loses out because most of those folks seeking admission aren’t the “typical” paying customer looking to spend money but moreso the ones who won’t spend one dollar and not return this season! Six Flags WAS NOT and I repeat WAS NOT at capacity! Think about it… would they fill their park with “free” admissions and then open for general admission @ 10am and not be able to admit the people they just sold a $5 million ticket to? NO!! Both Six Flags AND Q100 should be fined for the traffic fiasco. Just watching the GSP and Cobb Co. PD attempt to blue light their way through traffic says that even they were unprepared for the MESS. This morning was like watching prime time TV…drama, action and adventure. My kid didn’t get Six Flags but she can now write the book “Atlanta gridlock for Dummies”.

By Tayer Evans

April 5, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

you’ll people need to shut up. Q100 AND SIX FLAGS TRIED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IF YOU SAY ITS HORRIBLE THEN GO DO IT YOUR OWN FREAKING WAY.

By Diane B

April 5, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this

My mid-teen daughter asked if she and a friend could go to Six Flags today with the free offer and I said, “NO WAY”. One, this is Atlanta — say “free” and it’s like crying “Fire!” in a crowded movie theatre. Two, do I really want my kid hanging out in an amusement park with the sort of folks who have nothing better to do at 3:30 am than to stand in line for an amusement park? Nope. I don’t blame Q-100 or Six Flags for the promotion — it seems like a great good-will offer, and the 10,000 who did get in are probably having a great time. Good for them. They are probably freezing, but having a good time …!

By Big Trouble

April 5, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

…I am in SO much trouble…

By SLC

April 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

It sounds a lot of you that many of you will become hermits. You get stuck traffic going to work which means stay home. Stuck at sporting event or concert? stay home! Driving around Buckhead on a Saturday night and stuck in traffic? Stay away from Buckhead. My point is there are long lines everywhere and common sense should dictate what you should do.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Great, traffic is going to suck again tomorrow. At least they gave us some notice for everyone to tell their work they will be working from home tomorrow. It is not rocket science here that tomorrow is going to be the same as this morning….

By Tayer Evans

April 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

you’ll people need to shut up. Q100 AND SIX FLAGS TRIED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IF YOU SAY ITS HORRIBLE THEN GO DO IT YOUR OWN FREAKING WAY.

By Tayer Evans

April 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

you’ll people need to shut up. Q100 AND SIX FLAGS TRIED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IF YOU SAY ITS HORRIBLE THEN GO DO IT YOUR OWN FREAKING WAY.

By Connie

April 5, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

I think it was a perfectly safe idea for my daughter to drive to 6+ flag’s. She was joining her 26 yr old brother who was headed in from Marietta. As far as getting up that early, it is no earlier than school!!! My being upset is over the stupid claims being made that as long as you were there before 9:00 a.m. you would get in. It was advertised on the radio all week that way and the Bert Show suggessted arriving at 6:00 a.m. to “assure” your place in the park. I think this outrage comes not from not getting in as much as the cut off time being before even 6 a.m. I beleive people feel cheated.As for the children left running all over I-20, thast is plain bad parenting. As for my own child, she was in her car, a new driver but how do you live in Atl. and avoid traffic??? No one foresaw the explosion that happened

By So What

April 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

To all the “holier than thous” out here who reference parents dropping off their kids and “16 year olds with new licenses” I have this to say… STFU!!

A 16 YEAR old with a license is a LEGAL DRIVER, so what the hell difference does that make?? I drive the roads daily with many of you 30, 40, and 50 year old idiots who have no business being on the roads either! Secondly, I seriously doubt parents were dropping 6 and 10 year olds to fend for themselves. I’m sure many (like the ones I know are 13-18 yrs) which is no different than normal.

Finally, Six Flags for many is in fact Disney. It is the closest thing they will have to it and I see no problem whatsoever with young people getting excited about an opportunity to enjoy themselves when a promotion stated they would have an opportunity to do so. I’m sure many of you sitting on your pedastal talking down to everyone else have some teen at home AS WE SPEAK smoking cigs or WEED, or doing ecstasy OR METH.. or something else that would have you ashamed to be their parent.

Yeah I know, not YOURS. Ever!

By Sagegirl

April 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

It took a friend of mine 3 hours to get to work. I suppose I was lucky. I only spent 2 hour, 15 minutes inching to work. Fortunately my employer isn’t complaining. The boss can’t get in either. What a mess! Terrible way to spend the morning.

By get a helicopter then

April 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

For those whining about ‘ramifications’ from Six Flags for being late because of traffic,

…since when did I-20 become YOUR road? If 300,000 drivers each and every day for the next two weeks want to wake up at 5AM and drive down I-20 then it’s their right to do so, and you better find another way to transport your cranes. Anyway, I thought cranes could fly …or are you talking about the big-yellow, dusty machinery crane thingies?

By nick

April 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

LOSERS…..

Now, was it really worth the “free pass” for three hours?

Pony up the $30 and pay next time!

By Just Disappointed

April 5, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

It sucked!!! Yes, it was cold and dark but the kids including the big kids, really wanted to have a day of fun and it said FREE!

My teenager got there at 4:30am and was dropped off with a group of friends but they were turned away because they were not in a car. I didn’t see it mentioned that you had to drive in. And by the time their ride got back to them in the chaos, it was too late to get in. Maybe they should have mentioned there was a limited amount of tickets or at least allowed them to pay for a season pass and get through.

By Just Disappointed

April 5, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this

It sucked!!! Yes, it was cold and dark but the kids including the big kids, really wanted to have a day of fun and it said FREE!

My teenager got there at 4:30am and was dropped off with a group of friends but they were turned away because they were not in a car. I didn’t see it mentioned that you had to drive in. And by the time their ride got back to them in the chaos, it was too late to get in. Maybe they should have mentioned there was a limited amount of tickets or at least allowed them to pay for a season pass and get through.

By JT

April 5, 2007 11:10 AM | Link to this

We quit going to Six Flags 10 years ago. Just too many thugs and wannabes. You couldn’t pay me to go to Six Flags.

By that's entertainment

April 5, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this

I chose not to go to Six Flags today.

I instead, wanted to stay home and read and respond on this blog all day!

This is more fun than riding mo-mo the monster!

By CR

April 5, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

To the mom crying about her teenage daughter who just got her license and almost ran out of gas in traffic:

Shut the hell up. You should have made your daughter fill up her gas tank before getting on the interstate. And your kid needs to learn that sometimes life isn’t fair, and sometimes you don’t get what you want, and sometimes you’ll be stuck in traffic…that’s just the reality…so you and your kid need to shut up and deal with it.

By frustrated

April 5, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

* I am astonished as to how ridiculous most of the people on this blog are! Q100 planned a day where people could get into an expensive amusement park for free! It was a great idea, so whats wrong with that? They’ve been warning people all along that people were coming in by the busloads, companies told all their employees to take the day off to come, etc. Why would anyone with a functioning brain think that the roads that leads to six flags would not be crowded. Hello??? Obviously the park has a capacity, so no, not EVERYONE would get in. For this specific reason, and did not even attempt to go. I knew it was going to be crazy. As to all of you saying you want to sue and you want to be compensated, give me a break. What have you done to help those less fortunate? What have you done to attempt to help people show their families a good time? And if the traffic made you so late for work, why are you on the computer writing comments, should you be playing catch-up? Get your lazy, RUDE, complaining butts back to work!*

By Whatever

April 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

There is NO Ditch Day tomorrow. No such claims on the Bert Show website - don’t freak out anymore than you are right now, don’t call in sick to work, don’t throw your body onto I-20… it’s NOT going to happen again tomorrow. What sheep.

Do you believe everything that’s on the Internet?

By CR

April 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

To the mom crying about her teenage daughter who just got her license and almost ran out of gas in traffic:

Shut the hell up. You should have made your daughter fill up her gas tank before getting on the interstate. And your kid needs to learn that sometimes life isn’t fair, and sometimes you don’t get what you want, and sometimes you’ll be stuck in traffic…that’s just the reality…so you and your kid need to shut up and deal with it.

By Jlanas

April 5, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

Get over it everyone!!! Its traffic.. you experience it every day in one form or another. As for those people who only feel better about themselves by calling others horrible names like white trash, ghetto, freeloading idiots, you need to look at yourselves first before you pass judgement on others. Six Flags is a fun place to go albeit very expensive for most. So when there is a FREE promotion, why not try to get in on it. For many people this moring it did not work out; it happens. I feel really bad for those who were late for work or were stuck in thoer communities as that was really unfortunate. But I am tired of reading about the ghetto and white trash people who are the only ones that would be so desperate to try to get into the park for free when they could just spend $100 on tickets and get in when its not so crowded. Get off of your elitist throne and wake up and realize that everyone does not experience the same reality that you do.

By Cassie

April 5, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

The only good thing that came out of this is for every other Atlanta radio station besides Q100. This made Q100 look as stupid as their phone scams! Steve and Vicki are loving this! SAVE THAT!!!!!!

By ME

April 5, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

RIK!! IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT COLOR YOU ARE…..

“By Rik

April 5, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

WOW! I knew there were a lot of elitist classist racist scum around, but this is over the top. Why bother saying ghetto, thug and baggy pants? Just take off the white sheet and say the N word. C’mon you know you wanna. Shouldn’t you racists be listening to Boortz while you pleasure yourselves?”

stereotyping isn’t cool

you were stereotyping

You are the pot calling the kettle black because you were saying it’s not right to say “baggy jeans ex.” (STERIOTYPE of young black men) THEN say that they should go and listen to Boortz because that’s what racists listen to. STERIOTYPE

I do understand how YOU think you are making sense. I get that, so now I am moving on………..

No matter what I hope you have a WONDERFUL day.

By tammy

April 5, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD SO MANY TICKECTS TO GIVE A WAY BY PEOPLE CALLING IN AND GIVING THERE NAME THEN HAVING TO SHOW THEM ID TO GET IN . I AGREE WHAT KIND OF PARENTS WOULD LET THERE KIDS OUT TO WALK. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY A FINE FOR IT. ANY THING COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THEM . THEY SHOULD HAVE FAMILY CHILDREN SERVICES AFTER THEM.

By concerned

April 5, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Ok, I live off of Thorton road. Yes it was horrible. But what is better, I was able to take the back road and still get in. All I want was the season pass.

For all the parents that just dropped their children off, you should be sued. How stupid can you be. If you can not get to the park, what makes you think your children can get into the park?

Traffic is horrible, WELCOME TO ATLANTA. Where everyday is a Traffic JAM!!!!

By Kathy

April 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Q100 - Since nobody died, the brains behind this stunt can’t be nominated for a Darwin Award, too bad.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

JUST TALKED TO A BERT SHOW PRODUCER AND SHE SAYS THEY ARE DOING IT AGAIN TOMORROW!!

YOU’VE ALL BEEN WARNED!!

PACK A BREAKFAST…AND A LUNCH!!

By WTF

April 5, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

To Tayer Evans:

You must: A) Not live in the area B) Be independently wealthy and not need to work, or C) Just not have a job.

This was not for the community. This was for publicity. Six Flags obviously did not consider the thousands of people that live in the vicinity of the park who need to work to make a living. I have no problem with promotions of this type, but they need to be handled in a responsible manner with consideration for those whole will be impacted.

By good one

April 5, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

Now so far THIS is the blog of the morning:

And if the traffic made you so late for work, why are you on the computer writing comments, should you be playing catch-up? Get your lazy, RUDE, complaining butts back to work!

Good one!

By sofia

April 5, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this

I wonder if ROZ happened to be in the crowd this am?

By sofia

April 5, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

I wonder if ROZ happened to be in the crowd this am?

By sofia

April 5, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

I wonder if ROZ happened to be in the crowd this am?

By Get over it!

April 5, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Are you kidding me?!?! People serioulsy need to chill out!!!

I am a Q100 listener and not once did I think that it WASN’T going to be a nightmare. Atlantans should have more sense than that. Q100 did a great job of informing people that you need to get there early and I’m sure they NEVER expected it to turn out like this. And there should be no ramifications…everyone is always out to get something!!! Q100 and Six Flags were trying to do something nice but it back fired…no ones fault…just happened. So again, CHILL OUT!

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

“My teenager got there at 4:30am and was dropped off with a group of friends but they were turned away because they were not in a car.”

What are you nuts!!! On what level is it a good idea to drop a teenager off anywhere at 4:30 in the morning without supervision? Stop blaming others and take responsibility for your actions.

By Urbanite

April 5, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

This be an outrageous. If I’s want to go in to da Six Flaggs then lets me in, don’t axe me any questions neither. Q100 shoulds be kicked off the airwaves and thats Jeff Daulers should be stripped nekkid and puts on that I-20,, during rush hours today to laugh at him. Why is that Jen Hobbies on the air, her husbands ain’t like famous anymore. I demands justic and I think that they need to gives us citisenns some free stuff or cash. I want Q100 to be have to make it Rain down at that place for my peeps.

By workerbee

April 5, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

Do some of you people actually believe that alternate routes or leaving early for work was a solution to this nightmre? The traffic was already bad this morning between 5-6am. How early do you expect people to leave their homes. As far as alternate routes are concerned, all of those were jammed as well because they were advertised as alternate routes!!! There was no magic route to take after all the roads were packed. This was a stupid idea plain and simple.

By Cheryl

April 5, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

My 16 yr old sat in the early morning traffic a total of 3 hours…her time spent driving there at 5 am; only to NOT be able to get in then she had to drive back home in the gridlock. Thanks, she is now an experienced driver.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

Urbanite…you the MAN!!

LOL!!

By Brian

April 5, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Spartan Caver, I’m sure you were really proud of your message you wrote, but you should work on your math. 1,000 x 30 minutes does NOT equal 30,000 HOURS, try 500. You are only off by a factor of 60.

By Diane B

April 5, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

I’m a little perplexed by the people claiming that the 16 year old drivers are licensed drivers “just like the rest of us”. Excuse me? No, they are NOT. 16 or 17 year olds are NOT PERMITTED to drive between midnight and 6 am. The only way for a 16 year old to get to Six Flags at 6 AM was for them to a) walk, or b)break the law. The parent who allowed their 16 year old drive before 6 AM is irresponsible, and encouraging them to break the law.

What I don’t understand is why someone could not walk up to Six Flags and gain entrance, and instead have to come in a car?

To the rest of you complaining about the traffic, get over it. It could be a Braves Game, it could have been this weekend down by the Georgia Dome. It doesn’t happen every day (thank God), so just take a deep breath and shrug it off. If this is the worst thing that happens to you today, you’re doing well …

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

What idiots thought of this Six Flags free ticket promotion during the weekday and rush hour needs to be shot and fined. I was not even near I-20 and travel the side streets of West Cobb to my job and all streets were a parking lot (both ways). It literally took me over 2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning when it is normally a 45 min. commute. Ridiculous. Whoever the promoters are - think twice b/c you will have a lot of angry repercussions over this. Next time make it on a weekend and make it free for the WHOLE DAY.

By confused

April 5, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

If it is going to happen again tomorrow… wil DFACs be on site to pick up all the kids walking on the interstate and at QT because their parents don’t know that there is such a thing called “capacity” and “fire” laws??? I don’t listen to Q100 and even I knew better not to go anywhere near that area. So, should I sue someone for mileage and wear and tear on my car because I had to deviate from my normal commute route? Or the fact that I got up early and missed sleep? Who should I sue????

By Holly

April 5, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

I hate the Bert Show! Atl AM radio SUCKS! I wish MJ was in Atlanta….

By Mike

April 5, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

I just looked at the pictures of the traffic jam. Why am I nout surprised at the types of people walking on the highway and crowding into the buses? It’s funny how the public library is free every day, but it’s never this crowded. I guess since they don’t sell tennis shoes or fast food, it’s not appealing. Sad images of our city.

By Lil B

April 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Hey Urbanite me an da bois is headin ova to da atlantit station since we could nt get n da sik flags if yo want to come hang out wit us!

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

What idiots thought of this Six Flags free ticket promotion during the weekday and rush hour needs to be shot and fined. I was not even near I-20 and travel the side streets of West Cobb to my job and all streets were a parking lot (both ways). It literally took me over 2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning when it is normally a 45 min. commute. Ridiculous. Whoever the promoters are - think twice b/c you will have a lot of angry repercussions over this. Next time make it on a weekend and make it free for the WHOLE DAY.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

What idiots thought of this Six Flags free ticket promotion during the weekday and rush hour needs to be shot and fined. I was not even near I-20 and travel the side streets of West Cobb to my job and all streets were a parking lot (both ways). It literally took me over 2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning when it is normally a 45 min. commute. Ridiculous. Whoever the promoters are - think twice b/c you will have a lot of angry repercussions over this. Next time make it on a weekend and make it free for the WHOLE DAY.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

What idiots thought of this Six Flags free ticket promotion during the weekday and rush hour needs to be shot and fined. I was not even near I-20 and travel the side streets of West Cobb to my job and all streets were a parking lot (both ways). It literally took me over 2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning when it is normally a 45 min. commute. Ridiculous. Whoever the promoters are - think twice b/c you will have a lot of angry repercussions over this. Next time make it on a weekend and make it free for the WHOLE DAY.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

What idiots thought of this Six Flags free ticket promotion during the weekday and rush hour needs to be shot and fined. I was not even near I-20 and travel the side streets of West Cobb to my job and all streets were a parking lot (both ways). It literally took me over 2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning when it is normally a 45 min. commute. Ridiculous. Whoever the promoters are - think twice b/c you will have a lot of angry repercussions over this. Next time make it on a weekend and make it free for the WHOLE DAY.

By nate

April 5, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Never, Never, Never, give any teenager a chance to take advantage of something that is free, white or black, at a public place without supervision. they will abuse it and become roudy. Haven’t people learned there lesson about teenagers, Six Flags has become a hang out spot now for teenagers. MEET ME AT THE PARK, GOING DOWN……..

By Ms. Writer

April 5, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Tayer? Did your Mama really name you that? LOL

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

What idiots thought of this Six Flags free ticket promotion during the weekday and rush hour needs to be shot and fined. I was not even near I-20 and travel the side streets of West Cobb to my job and all streets were a parking lot (both ways). It literally took me over 2 1/2 hours to get to work this morning when it is normally a 45 min. commute. Ridiculous. Whoever the promoters are - think twice b/c you will have a lot of angry repercussions over this. Next time make it on a weekend and make it free for the WHOLE DAY.

By Inspector Gadget

April 5, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

I love it, I knew this was really Q’s demographic. We should inform their advertisers that this is who they are broadcasting to. Yike! Go go Gadget arms.

By SAHM

April 5, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

As a stay at home homeschooling mom, I thought this would be great to go to SF for FREE! All I can say is thank goodness for 750am announcing about 6:15am, that the park was closed. We were able to get off at Wesley Chapel and go back home. We sure were disappointed but thats all right, we’ll just go next month on Homeschooling Day! Fact check: This promotion did not start at 6am but at 5:30.

By Allya

April 5, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

It took me over 2 hours to catch a bus to work this morning. That is the only means that I have to get to work and CCT wasn’t even running on schedule (but how could it in this mess?!!). Next time, they should issue the so-called “free” tickets the day in advance to be used the next day. It was a good idea, but should have stated that there would only be a certain amount to be let in the park. I live right there at the Six Flags exit and I have never seen anything like this in the 6 years I have lived over there. The promo said between 6-9. How can the park close down before the scheduled 9 opening time? Poor planning indeed. I couldn’t even catch a taxi to get to my subdivision, let alone try to get to the closest train station. Plus I should not have even thought that I needed to pay the extra expense of trying to get to work on time. A police officer this morning told me that they were not aware that this was going to happen until they got numerous reports of cars blocking the entrance and exits of the freeway. I think next time there should be better planning and communication between event sponsors and police enforcement. I want to know who’s suppose to reimburse me for being late and not able to get to work on time although I tried.

By Jeremy

April 5, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

Its not at all sixflags fault its all q100’s for saying anyone who shows up b4 9am would get in free. The park didnt reach capacity q100 ran out of tickets season pass holders and paying guest where still able to enter park.

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Q100 Ditch Day = Freaknik 2007.

By Deborah is a dolt

April 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Deborah, please just hit the post button once, you genius. Are you sure you weren’t behind this promotion.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

Urbanite & LilB…y’all be rockin’ this blog…

I catch uz on da flipside….stay up, what!

By Pacman Jones

April 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

This was as bad as decision as it was for me to make it rain for some wimmens in Vegas. A’int nobody get down like some ATL hood rats. You know whut I’m saying. Holla at my dawgs!

By Michael

April 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

This is why I like high cover charges as night clubs and otherwise paying for dinner at expensive restaurants. I’m not buying the service particularly, I am buying the exclusivity. Why go to Six Flags on free day when every gangsta and ho is going to be there looking to score?

By Whatever

April 5, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Why all the comments about black kids? Just asking. Seems all of the ebonics comments are just a hidden way of saying all of the traffic ills and overcrowding of a stupid radio promo was because of all of the negroes? I was at the gate and turned away, but I saw more 20 something, white, loft-dwellers and stroller pushing blondes than black people. And of course since the pictures show black kids walking on the shoulder of I-20 (no media bias there, huh?) then everyone looking for a freebie HAD to be black??

I’m white and from Oklahoma who’s been around her share of racists so I know the hidden language. Get a life, dude. If you weren’t there or were in no way inconvenienced by it, why are you even commenting?

By AEK

April 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Not to be picky Spartan but 1000 people times 30 minutes is 30,000 minutes. Divide that by 60 and you get 500 hours. Hardly 4 years or whatever it was made out to be. Besides. This crap shuts the streets down all the time. It’s a fact of living here. There isn’t anyone to blame.

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Urbanite & LilB…y’all be rockin’ this blog…

I catch uz on da flipside….stay up, what!

By Diane B

April 5, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Deborah, why would Six Flags give up weekend revenue? People PAY to go to the park on the weekend — Six Flags doesn’t have to give it away. They identified an “off” day, during the week, during public school spring break and Easter break for many private schools, so they would attract their target market. Free breakfast — what, stale doughnuts? Discount on a season pass? You can bet Six Flags didn’t lose a cent on this promotion, and probably made a wad on concession sales (assuming any of the first 10,000 brought money with them.)

Besides, remember — there’s no such thing as BAD publicity. :-) The less thoughtful among us will look at this CF and say, “Gee, Six Flags must be a really great place if all these people are crawling over each other to get there.” And THAT’S what they’ll remember.

I feel bad for those kids at QT and walking (!) along I-20, and trying to catch the bus. They are just kids who wanted to have fun. Their parents, on the other hand, need to be smacked for not excercising a minimal amount of intelligence.

By Cane

April 5, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Someone should have started shooting to clear the crowd like what happened at CNN center!

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Whatever, welcome to the ATL.

New here?

It shows.

Get back to us in about 6 months…you will understand then.

By Becky

April 5, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

My question is for the parents who let their kids out of the car on I20 and let them walk into Six Flags. I20 is already busy enough without kids walking on the side, and why wouldn’t you wait to see if your kid even got in? If they don’t get in, you’re just going to have to go and pick them up…

By Everyone

April 5, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

Waa waaa waaa. Waa waaaa wa wa waaaaaaa. :* (

By Willie

April 5, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this

I sure hope the afternoon commute is better!!! Arriving to work late is not the worst thing in the world, but ya better not hold me hostage going home!!!

By rthom

April 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

For all you kids who couldn’t get into Six Flags, MARTA will pick you up and take you to Greenbriar Mall

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Diane B don’t worry about Deborah. She can barely figure out how to respond to the blog without posting her response five times. She apparently knows nothing about business. No one could have predicted this response to the promotion.

By MB

April 5, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

As I read these posts I am so grateful that I have XM. I needed to borrow a truck (no XM) yesterday and as I listened to the local radio stations, I couldn’t believe how much they TALKED and TALKED without playing any music. The morning drive was so terrible I finally turned it off. I understand that most people probably think it is stupid to pay for radio, but when you drive like I do it is a welcomed luxury. So how bad is local radio you ask? Bad enough they have to run moronic stunts like this one today for anyone to listen to them!

By M-W

April 5, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this

I just want to acknowledge the fact that some of you racist scum sound even MORE stupid in your expression of so-called “ebonics” than those you try so poorly to imitate/humiliate.

I speaks horribly when you cannot even put the words and spellings together yourself of the so-called “uneducated”. Who’s dumber?

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

M-W, at least they can spell “it” with a “t”.

Thank Goodness for that….some of them are dumberer than mosts.

By InWonder

April 5, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Uh, being 16 and sitting in 3 hours of gridlock does NOT make you an experienced driver. YEARS and YEARS of driving does. That is a FACT.

By Patricia

April 5, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

If all of these people are either in grid lock or at Six Flags, who is working at Target and Burger King?

Free fries!!

By Six Flags Fan

April 5, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

You all are idiots! This is exactly what they wanted to happen. For you all to not only waste hours of your day trying to get in but for you to waste the rest of the afternoon complaining about something everyone knew would happen.

My kids with our season passes went yesterday!

By Me

April 5, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Who in their right mind would want to visit Six Flags over Georgia now. That park is just plain nasty. They have definetly lowered the bar when it comes to the standards that park once knew. It used to be a clean beautifull theme park now it’s as crappy as Pananma City, Florida, Yuck.

By payback

April 5, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

people, people, please! This was a great promotional stunt. I don’t believe Six flags had 10,000 people by 6:00. I attempted to go for the $34.99 season ticket price. When I heard they were filled to capacity, took the kids to grandma’s and made it to work by 9:30am. Six Flags should offer another promotion to Metro Atlanta residents of $34.99 season pass special for one day beginning at 9am. Then you wouldn’t see so many car and van loads of people.

By Robin

April 5, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

People chill out!

This was a great idea! The Bert Show folks are the best morning show in the ATL.

So, many more people showed up than was ever anticipated. There was NO WAY this could have been predicted.

Yes, a better way needs to be in place for future “ditch day” events. But, it is still a great thing. Many, Many people who could not afford to take their families to 6-Flags, can enjoy it due to Q-100.

Hey - traffic is the way of life in Atlanta. Suck it up, and know that you will have a story to tell your friends and family about the day you were caught in the “6-flags Ditch Day traffic.”

I am sure 6-flags and Q-100 will come up with a better way to do this next year.

Just think of all the kids who are enjoying the park today, that would not have otherwise been able to go.

By payback

April 5, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

This is better than the vent. Six Flags get the last laugh, People are actually paying to go to the zoo.

By King JEC IV

April 5, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

I had no idea that Atlanta had so many cry babies!! As Ludacris says, “Crybabies go home!!!” It’s Q100’s fault that I’m late to work! It’s Six Flags fault! It’s everyone’s fault but your own. I agree that it was an asinine promotion on Six Flags & Q100’s part. However, the people attempting to gain access were acting like dolts on I-20. Atlanta is too large of a city for people not to realize a free promotion would turn out like this! Unless you planned on being there at 2 am, you probably weren’t going to get in. Big Fan, you’re hilarious! Sex Flags! You’re killing me! That’s just what some of these people on here need to hear. We’re sick of the thuggish rats, who have entered our city! They’ve ruined it for us, the locals! Either move or just shut up because the city is growing! New people are coming!

By King JEC IV

April 5, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this

I had no idea that Atlanta had so many cry babies!! As Ludacris says, “Crybabies go home!!!” It’s Q100’s fault that I’m late to work! It’s Six Flags fault! It’s everyone’s fault but your own. I agree that it was an asinine promotion on Six Flags & Q100’s part. However, the people attempting to gain access were acting like dolts on I-20. Atlanta is too large of a city for people not to realize a free promotion would turn out like this! Unless you planned on being there at 2 am, you probably weren’t going to get in. Big Fan, you’re hilarious! Sex Flags! You’re killing me! That’s just what some of these people on here need to hear. We’re sick of the thuggish rats, who have entered our city! They’ve ruined it for us, the locals! Either move or just shut up because the city is growing! New people are coming!

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

I heard that Mayor Shirly Franklin will be issuing a major traffic plan today at 1:30 pm to deal with the issue.

Gov. Sonny Perdue has issued shoot to wound orders to State Troopers for anyone that attempts to exit/enter a vehicle on I-20 all day.

Nancy Pelosi will have a new conference from Syria to express her outrage at the Bush administration’s lack of planning on the Q100/Sex Flags debacle….clearly it is Bush’s fault…again!!

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this

Man I really wish the Kimmer was still on. I would love to here his take this afternoon. I gotta go you’re killing me.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Hey RTibbs and Dianne. I must be pretty good of directing you away from what my comments were this morning if you had to reply to what I did and not what I said. Now that is a good businesswoman! Take the attention away from the topic and lead the audience to another topic. By the way ignorant people, before you criticize me on how to post, you may want to check with the AJC posting website. I hit the post once, however, because there were so many readers commenting at the same time of the day regarding the traffic jam, everyone’s computers were slow and many of us after we posted, our computer froze up. By the time, I got back to re-post, my posting was up several times. But who cares - at least my opinions got on their post. Out of my control on that one.

But unlike people like you two, I notice you two are NOT only here to post your comments, but to merely criticize other people’s views. Don’t EVEN have time for this immaturity nonsense or drama. You must be one of those unruly children that everyone have been commenting on. Good day and good riddens. You two are definitely not worth my time or energy!!

By RTibbs

April 5, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this

Deborah yes your brilliant. I still do not understand your point or going off topic?

By Man about Town

April 5, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Robin, we know that you work at Q, so give it up. No one else would be stupid enough to support Q after this display. Why in the hell would someone want to be reminded about what a disaster of rush hour it was this morning because of the Bert Show. Go back to doing radio sales and stop trying to spin it. StarFest Rules!

By MrClean

April 5, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

Reading some of these posts is so very depressing. The absolute lack of vocabulary skills on display here is amazing. Typo’s are one thing, but the stuff here is far more tragic than a simple mis-typed word.

Good day and good riddens????? It’s riddance—“riddens” isn’t even a word!

Free remedial courses in English ought to be the next Q100 promotion. I bet there’d be no traffic jam for that one, though.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Thank you for the great catch on the misspelled word of “riddance” Mr. Clean. You are right about the lack of English spelling and vocabulary. I usually read my e-mails before I send them, but did not do it on my last post. My apologies if I offended anyone!

In any event, I have to defend the many readers here who are posting. Readers are here to VENT, and they are NOT really worried about their spelling or lack of vocabulary. This is the place to VENT, and/or post their general comments/suggestions and opinions. My opinion only!

By me

April 5, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

Deborah…give it up. Get back to work before the fries burn.

By Deborah

April 5, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

BY ME ….give it up. Get back to work before your dish water becomes dirty.

By Business Owner

April 5, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Robin, I lost an account today because neither I nor my staff could get to work to handle a client’s emergency. Thanks to Q100’s and Six Flags’ poor planning, my company lost money. It’s not just about traffic; it’s about others’ livelihoods.

By NiceGuy

April 5, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

The best to go to Six Flags this year? Tomorrow.

By NiceGuy

April 5, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

The best day to go to Six Flags this year? Tomorrow.

By BusyMom

April 5, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

Since Six Flags is SO expensive, I understand the appeal of a FREE day, but I can’t imagine that the sponsor couldn’t predict the crowds. I assumed it would be a zoo and took my kids on Tues. We didn’t have a long wait at any of the rides. This was a poorly run promotion, and I’m glad I stayed away today!!!!

By Convinced

April 5, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

I don’t go to Six Flags. HELL I OWN IT!

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

By Norton the Whale Shark

April 5, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Glub glub … why couldn’t all of the nice people come see me, glub glub, at the Georgia Aquarium??? I’m a lonely whale shark who can’t ride roller coasters, glub glub, and wish you could have come see me instead. I’ll ask, glub glub, the Georgia Aquarium to have a free admittance day too!!

Love, Norton

By Bear

April 5, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

How bout’em Braves eh?

By D'ville commuter

April 5, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

I love the fact the my 35 minute commute @ 5:30AM in the morning turned into an hour and half commute.

F**K Q100 and the BERT show…

By The man

April 5, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

Deborah must work under the Gold Dome. Because only a politicians assistant can understand how saying nothing means something. That and her incredible ability to change the topic???? Deborah Get back to work and stop wasting taxpayer dollars.

By Ray Ray Powers

April 5, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Deborah, I wanted my hashbrowns, scattered not smothered. I am embarassed that you live in the same state as me. Please move and take the Bert Show with you. How anyone can enjoy their fake, canned, and self-serving radio must be on crazy pills.

By Bert's Big Screwup

April 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Comon people we were had, not only by Q100 and Six Flags but specifically by the Morning dysfunctional show hosted by Bert.If this was a used car add people would be going to jail.

Free til 9 is free til 9 and now you here about a limit, comon Atlanta let Bert know he and his band screwed up hold them responsible make them provide restitution for the thousands they screwed (laughing all morning) and just maybe some other idiot won’t do this to us.

By atl music

April 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

I just watched the video on the AJC from the new cast at 12… hate to say it but it looks like the white people were stuck in traffic and the blacks took the “ditch day” to hang at and around 6 flags… go figure

By Don KeBallz

April 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Get a life people……Ever see the crowds at subdivision yard sales! People will do just about anything if its advertised as free. Losers

By Mike

April 5, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Norton, the people who go to Six Flags won’t go to the aquarium because it’s not cool to enrich your mind. Add a cell phone kiosk and then maybe you will have some six flags visitors. I’ll come and see you though, I want my kids to do well in life and keep this city nice.

By Cane

April 5, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

They needed the CNN couple to start shooting up the place for the crowd to clear!

By Thrash

April 5, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

I never knew there were so many people that even listened to Queer100!

By shirley

April 5, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

I was wondering how come Lenox Mall was empty today. I guess Underground was too.

By Andrea

April 5, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this

Why are there so many racist comments, why are so many people putting down the parents and kids that took advantage of the opportunity? Why do the people who went there have to be freeloaders? Why should the dissappointed kids who couldn’t get in have to be taken to Greenbriar Mall? To drop kids off on the Interstate is definitely a bad idea but it’s as though you all are blaming these people because something free was given away and they took advantage of it. To those of you who have season passes that is great and you are blessed financially but there are a lot of families out there with working parents who live within their means, and are not show off spenders that can’t always afford to take the family to Six Flags being that it is an expensive event. I think that it is unfair to judge those people and call them freeloaders and ship them over to the Greenbriar Mall which is trying to assume they are of a particular race and SES background.

By Downtwn

April 5, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

Andrea, thats what we are saying.. just look at the pictures, you know those people dont listen to Q100 they are more of V103 or 95.5 the beat…

By Stefan

April 5, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

What I don’t get is the number of kids who were actually okay with the idea of participating in this crap. Kids these days are retarded. Who cares that it’s Six Flags; is it really worth getting up at 3 a.m. for???

By @@@@

April 5, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this

From watching the news video it looked like going to a bad nightclub, with bad music, and not so engaging crowd then not being able to find the exit doors to get the hell out.

By Gator Fan

April 5, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Six Flags had every right to have this promtion. Every company holds some kind of promotion. It was the parents stupidity for dumping their children off and leaving them in the first place. It was very noticeable that there were too many people after they closed Six Flags. I have enough sense to not let my child go to a function that is over crowded, this was not Six Flags fault. Six Flags apparently closed the gates once they met regulated capacity. Next time you hear the word free don’t go. Nothing in life is every truly free.

By Shirley

April 5, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

Since it seemed like such a small crowd showed up maybe V-103 should host the event next time…

By Andrea

April 5, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

Where are the pics, maybe they received the email and heard about it. I still dont think its fair to assume that they were freeloaders.

By Downtwn

April 5, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Free, freeloaders.. dropping off kids, with no money to go anywhere, some didnt even have cell phones to call there parents… yea…

By Teers ofJoy

April 5, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Freeloading retards stuck in traffic jam. Oh, the humanity! The jocularity!

By Georgians R DUMb

April 5, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

You all really need to stop the inbreeding. How foolish of you to not expect maximum participation for a promotion that is marketed as FREE by a radio station.

Damn the stupidity of you pot bellied bubbas and hoggers down here.

By c ya

April 5, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this

Ok I am going home now but just wanted to say thanks everyone and AJC for the blog today. It was quite enjoyable and made me LOL! Sure tomorrow will bring another catastrophe for us all to comment on.

By Dean

April 5, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Same crap, different day. People getting all googly-eyed about free stuff. This is where the entitlement mentality of our society’s lowest common denominators kicks in, and they now expect that Six Flags is going to give them free daycare too. How sad. Wasn’t this supposed to be an opportunity for parents to bond with their kids? I love the quote from BG at the very top of this thread, calling these people “mindless breeders”. That is essentially all they are. Littering the earth with unwanted offspring because birth control is “jus’ too hard”. Whatever. Hey, you get more welfare for having more kids, right? And the gubmint will never know you’re spending that extra money on that leased BMW, so next time you refuse to pay rent to your section 8 landlord in Clayton County because he hasn’t fixed your toaster, go find your baby daddy and get ready to pop out another one. Ain’t America great?

By e mutz

April 5, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

All ye have to do is put the words Free and Atlanta together and ye know what ye are going to get. I won’t go near Six Flags when they are charging, what would make me go when it’s free?

The whole spectacle is why I moved up into the hinterlands away from such madness.

What could anyone have possibly expected?

By lovelyliz

April 5, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding me? This whole foul up could be seen a gazillion miles away. My sleep, sanity, vacation days, time & effort are worth something. A free admission into an adventure park where I spend more time in traffic than anything else - FORGET IT. If I want to go, I buy a ticket and go on my off time.

Did I mention that after my last visit to Six Flags you would have to pay me to go again?

By Cody

April 5, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

Free Six Flags is like asking for a Freaknik. Those who cannot afford it on a normal day are not the kind of people you want to mingle with. I just go when our company rents us the park for the day. It keeps the thug trash outside where they belong. What idiot lets their kids out on I-20? Seriously….you people need better birth control!

By Teedur

April 5, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

A lot of comments on this blog EXPLAINS WHAT IS WRONG WITH AMERICA NOW. Was it a fantastic idea? YES. Was it poor plannning? YES again. But all this talk about “whose gonna pay” gimme a break!?! Why do we feel the need to be “restituted finacially” for an inconvenience? If you got stuck/were late/etc man up and grow some ——. Worse things are going on in the world, pay somebody for THAT >:P

By Dan

April 5, 2007 4:34 PM | Link to this

Cody, I think you mean berf control. That’s not in their vocabulary though.

By Robin

April 5, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

To A Man about Town and a Business Owner

Guess what Einstein? I don’t work for Q-100. I just think they have a great morning show, and that this was a good idea.

And Business Owner - If you lost a client this morning due to the traffic mess, then I have 2 things to tell you:

1. Either your customer service was so poor to begin with, you client did not BELIEVE you when you blamed this morning on the 6-flags traffic.

2. Or, your client was looking for any convenient excuse to drop you.

That is just the way it is.

By Jason

April 5, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

That’s what they get for being such cheapskates that they’ll get up at 3 AM to attend an overcrowded amusement park just to save $30 a person. If you ever go to Six Flags and look around, most of the people there are trash. Instead of wasting a day trying to get into a packed amusement park for free and getting to ride maybe 3 rides all day, why not take advantage of one of the many cultural experiences available in Atlanta and save the Six Flags trip for when it’s not a total clusterf*.

By Shelly

April 5, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Actually, Six Flag has gone down hill so bad that I wouldn’t go there even for free. The cost to go to the Park is more than Disney. The food cost more than Disney. In my opinion the Park can hold 35,000 plus and if you are going to offer Free tickets between 6am-9am then you need to announce to the public that you mean it is only for the first 3000 people.False Advertisement is WRONG, they should be ashamed.I will never go back to that disgusting dirty park w/ kids that look like they hat their jobs and NO CUSTOMER SERVICE.

By Why In the World

April 5, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

Why in the world does AJC continue to let ignorant, seemingly stupid people continue to post on their blogs. After reading 1/4 of this nonsense, I have a headache. Georgia really is a country all in itself. I’m sure Hitler would be proud. Some of you who have posted on this blog, please GET A LIFE! NOMO, You are probably one of the most IGNORANT people I have ever come across in life. I’m sure you and the rest live miserable lives. But I know what the real problem is, you want so much to be like those thugs and trashy people that you put them down at every chance you get. GROW UP!

By Mike

April 5, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

I heard that six flags ran out of toilet paper today because all the free guests thought everything in park was free as well. Why am I not surprised?

By Business Owner

April 5, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this

Robin, if you had a job, you’d know that not all clients or customers are easy to deal with.

By King JEC IV

April 5, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

America racist & classist? Heavens No! This blog shows that we don’t stereotype each other and think we’re above one another. Let’s sterilize all of the mongrels that haven’t been as fortunate/blessed as ourselves. The world would be such a better place if it only contained people who are biased just like me. After all, this is about me, me, me, me, me!!!!!! I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread! I have the perfect solution for everything! Look at me!!!! To Teedur: I concur, except I think it’s one of the problems. Another one is people’s complete & absolute lack of compassion or understanding for their fellow Americans. The comments here tell me that people find it easier to make snap judgments about others and think they’re absolutely correct. That’s the beauty and the sad thing about America- people are allowed to believe whatever they want, no matter how silly or dumb it may be.

By malika

April 5, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

maybe i’m not ticked because i wasn’t there. its not like these people paid money for a ticket and THEN were turned away. that’s just the way it goes. i agree that the people that live in the area have every reason to be upset, but who honestly saw a mess this big coming? i’m sure that q100 learned their lesson. i’m sure that six flags did too. and any parent that just drops their kid off without watching the kid walk safely in the gate, isn’t doing enough parenting.

By King JEC IV

April 5, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

America racist & classist? Heavens No! This blog shows that we don’t stereotype each other and think we’re above one another. Let’s sterilize all of the mongrels that haven’t been as fortunate/blessed as ourselves. The world would be such a better place if it only contained people who are biased just like me. After all, this is about me, me, me, me, me!!!!!! I’m the greatest thing since sliced bread! I have the perfect solution for everything! Look at me!!!! To Teedur: I concur, except I think it’s one of the problems. Another one is people’s complete & absolute lack of compassion or understanding for their fellow Americans. The comments here tell me that people find it easier to make snap judgments about others and think they’re absolutely correct. That’s the beauty and the sad thing about America- people are allowed to believe whatever they want, no matter how silly or dumb it may be.

By Cane

April 5, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Hail to Atlanta and its 5 million plus supported infrastucture. What are you going to do next to claim 6 million? Include every county in the state of Georgia and call it Atlanta metro? 28 counties in order to claim 5 million? What a joke!

By MICH

April 5, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

This is actually what happened, Q100 advertised that SF was giving away FREE tickets between 6am-9am But what they didnt tell you is that there was a limited # of tickets and once those tickets were gone the park was @ its so called compacity ( for the FREE tickets) anyone paying could still get in the park After 9am. They should have let the public know that there was a limited # of tickets Because the Park holds over 35,000 + people I am sure they have learnewd a lesson from this……

By Sarah

April 5, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

I seriously don’t understand why everyone is blaming Q100?! They were trying to create a very creative promotion and they obviously succeeded…I wanted to take advantage of Ditch Day but thought better of it after hearing all the ads as well as ample warning of heavy traffic that would be around Six Flags. I didn’t want to get up at 2am to get there in time. Of course Six Flags is going to have a capacity level and it will get reached early when admission is free! Don’t you think Disney and Universal would have the same problems…duh! The chaos wasn’t Q100s fault - it was naive Atlantans.

By MICH

April 5, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

Disney and Universal are much smarter than to do publicity stunt like that. and you should let the public know that there is a limited # of tickets DUH! There are alot of naive people who wouldn’t realize this.

By Blame Me!

April 5, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this

At least New Orleans had a hurricane to create refugees! All Atlanta needed was the word free for people to be stranded!

By Teedur

April 5, 2007 5:28 PM | Link to this

To King JEC IV: Maybe we should form our own city/village/country, because CLEARY we appear to be the few people left with sense….

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this

No one has answered my question….!!

I was not stuck in traffic and did not go to Sex Flags….where should I tell my attorney to send the lawsuit papers?

As we say here “down South”…for those POOR people that don’t have enough money to get into Sex Flags and today was your ONLY shot, have only 1/4 tank of gas, can’t afford the rent but have a cell phone, latest kicks, BLINGIN’ ride…”Bless Your Heart…”

ROCK ON, ATL!!

By pliggerneeze

April 5, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

anyone dumb enuff to get up at 2:00 in the morning just to get a freebie pass in an amusement park deserves unspeakable, unthinkable s** to happen.

By Michael

April 5, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Charge $200 per head to get into Six Flags and then I’ll go.

By Jeff

April 5, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

So many things wrong with this story, on so many levels…. NO. 1- The powers that be at Q-100 SHOULD have contacted Cobb County police to give them warning of this promotion and the possible traffic problems. NO. 2- If they HAD to do this, it should have been done on a weekend. No. 3- NO PARENT IN THEIR RIGHT MIND should have driven or let their kids drive to freakin’ Six Flags at 5 a.m. in the freezing cold for something as rediculous as one-day admission!!! Six Flags has been here for 30 years people! It’s not new! Go in May, June, July, August or September… it’s not a one-time thing! Get a clue - my parents would never have let ME do that in high school… these parents should have been more responsible. Oh, and Sarah, if Q-100 wanted to do something cool to promote itself? How about playing GOOD music with LESS D.J. banter and LESS commercial interruption. Wanna do something useful, Q-100? Raise some money for a homeless shelter or animal shelter or hurricane victims or terminally ill kids…. don’t try to pack thousands of teenagers into a park to just get into trouble. People are so selfish and greedy and me-oriented these days…. it ticks me off.

By Dixie Rimrod

April 5, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Well, we just got home from Six Flags. We stood in line for mo-mo the monster for six hours and got to ride. Then we ate lunch. i thought that would be free too but I had to fork our 17-fitty for my two foot-long dogs, rangs n coke.

Then we went and got in line for the mindbender. it was a four hour wait but we finallly got to ride. I puked up my dogs, rangs n coke, but I had a real good time.

Then we came home. We got to ride two rides in all for free. Yippee!

By Tell it like it is

April 5, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

I do not know why everyone is surprised. THis is Atlanta. It is funny that if i spank my child in a grocery store I am subject to jail time. But it is ok to drop them off on a packed interstate to walk unattended. I guess this is what a public education does for them. “Walk it out”

By Big Fan

April 5, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

Just saw the news on TV, I saw some youths climbing over a fence/wall to gain the free access denied to them.

Ah, youth….

By Jonathan Clark

April 5, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this

I woke up at 4:30 AM but didn’t leave my house in Alpharetta until 6 AM. I turned on the radio once I hit I-285 then turned my car around and have been thankful all day that I didn’t get to I-20.

I don’t fault Q100, Six Flags, or even really other Atlanta residents. I agree with those who view this promotion as a good idea poorly executed. If something similar is offered in the future I would suggest that there either be some hoops to jump through, limit the number of free tickets, or sell the tickets for a discounted price. It’s simple economics: the demand for free theme park tickets normally costing $49.95 is too high for Six Flags or the Atlanta road system to handle the capacity.

By JB Stoner

April 5, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

I guess this is Atlanta’s new FREAKNIK I bet if the Dept. of Labor was giving away free tickets to Six Flags, no one would show!

By E43r4

April 5, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this

As a Q100 listener…. I just saw the news of the thugs that were jumping the fence to get in. Those weren’t Q100 listeners. V103 must said the F word….as in FREE and all the riff-raff came a runnin’!

By fed up

April 5, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

I’m sure it’s only a matter of time (probably hours) before Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are onsite at Six Flags claiming that Q100 and Six Flags are racist and trying to put down the black man. Kinda like it was Bush’s fault because a bunch of numbskulls were too dumb to evacuate from a SHANTY IN A BELOW SEA LEVEL city when a CLASS IV HURRICANE is bearing down on them.

You know, I think I figured out how the New Orleans powers that be could have gotten everyone out of New Orleans in time… they should have just offered free tickets to something on high ground a couple of days before landfall and Old Fourth Ward would have been completely empty. I bet you would have been able to hear a pin drop!

I’m wondering what we will owe for reparations for this one?

By Col. Sanders

April 5, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

Amazing how a top 40 channel attracted so many thugs!!!!This is what happens when you offer something free, it brings out all the blacks from their govt. housing and section 8 rentals. I saw the footage of all those morons walking on the interstate..All I can say is thank god for Sickle Cell

By Col. Sanders

April 5, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this

Amazing how a top 40 channel attracted so many thugs!!!!This is what happens when you offer something free, it brings out all the blacks from their govt. housing and section 8 rentals. I saw the footage of all those morons walking on the interstate..All I can say is thank god for Sickle Cell

By dlsparks

April 5, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

FED UP….Close your mouth, I can smell the RACISM all they way over here…..

By Unique12u

April 5, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

My children and I also PLANNED AROUND this promotion. Even if they hadn’t had such chaos, the park would have been PACKED today! Yesterday was the PERFECT day to go. BEAUTIFUL weather and SHORT SHORT lines! SO GLAD I PAID for my admission and ENJOYED every penny of it!

By Informed Taxpayer

April 5, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

What did all the Title loan companies do today since all of their loyal customers were trying to get into the park. Seeing the video of today’s event, makes me hope in the future that were be laws passed to limit ignorant people and criminals from procreating. I seriously doubt that most of the people down there were “ditching” Montel and Springer and not actual employment. Man, I’m glad I have satellite radio if this is the demographic that comes out for a “higher end” radio station.

By russ

April 5, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

I’d just like to know exactly what were these people “ditching” from?? a job?? Don’t think so.

By Teddy Dupay

April 5, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this

Six Flags + Q100 + Free Admission = Thousands of brain dead wastes of spaces in need of sterilization.

By Barry in Indy

April 5, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this

Watermelon, watermelon, Cadillac car, y’all are twice as dumb as I think you is… Ahhh, my hometown Indy for the last sixteen years beats my native city (Atlanta)of thirty three years. You folks gotta get a grip! What if whey were giving something of value away? Maybe like a bucket chicken or a moon pie. Racist? Not hardly; realist! Have a coke & a smile, boys…

By Irving Waltham

April 5, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Like the Taxpayer said, the only thing these welfare receivers were skipping was their daily dose of Springer. At least they got their fat behinds up and moving around. How many of these idiots would line up at a grocery store if all of the healthy food was free? Probably about 3 of them. Sad state of affairs this country is in. Was Clark Howard there today?

By Outraged

April 5, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this

As a successful, highly educated black woman who was born and bred in Atlanta, I am outraged by all of the obvious racism on this blog. At the same time I am quite glad that I took the time to read it. It has just reminded me that the white collegues who smile and speak to me on a daily basis may just be the ones who are “closet racists” like so many of you. If the multicultural dynamic of our beautiful city disturbs you so much then move.

By fed up

April 5, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

Outraged, I have no problem with race. I have a problem with stupidity. There are dumb white people and dumb black folks and dumb Asians and dumb Hispanics. I just don’t like dumb people, skin color matters not. A lily white, blond haired, blue eyed NASCAR freak with a hairy belly and a can of PBR bugs me just as much as a black thug with pants hanging down to his ankles. I also can’t understand what either of them are saying.

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and the reparations movement are all stupid. So is NASCAR, the Rebel Flag movement, NeoNazis, and anyone who would wake up a 3:00 A.M. for a free Six Flags ticket.

The folks who hung around New Orleans were all stupid. If they had been mostly White, I still would have said they were stupid. Sure they suffered greatly.. but that doesn’t make them smart.

Race is not a problem. Stupidity makes me crazy. Call me elitist, I don’t care, I’m just sick of the dumb masses.

By Irving Waltham

April 5, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this

To the Author named Outraged: You may claim to be “highly educated,” but one thing you definitely are is a bigot. Racism/Classism against hard working Atlantans has got to stop.

By wht boy

April 5, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Outraged it must be embarrassing to you since you are a educated black woman to see your race always causing recklessness every time there is some kind of major event. With that being said I would love to live in harmony with everyone BUT to say I like to be around a bunch of thugged out, rude, ghetto-acting group of people is one thing. I doubt that you live in an all black neighborhood yourself. Probably live in Alpha or someplace on the north side?

By Barry in Indy

April 5, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Outraged, I too was born and bred in Atlanta for thirty three years. All of my family is still there. The multicutural dynamic of my beautiful hometown didn’t bother me until I did move. It is much like the frog in the water. If the water is cool when he gets in and then the temperature is slowly turned up, he won’t realize that he’s boiling until it is too late. If you threw him in while the water was boiling, he’d jump out immediately. I just laid in that cool water until the heat got warm, then I moved. How can so much in that city be attributed to racism when the entire city governing body is black? Help me with that. Now, I must concur with ‘fed up’ on the fact that dumb is dumb. Red, yellow, black, or white. Dumb runs clean to the bone…

By Six Flags Neighbor

April 5, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

I live near Six Flags, and it took me 90 minutes to get to work this morning to the airport, and it normally takes me only 15 minutes.

I could not understand why Cobb County Shut Down Access TO the Interstate …

I can understand why they closed the off ramps, but for crying out loud, why did they restrict access to the ON Ramp?

It took me over an hour just to go a couple of miles …

Freaking Ridiculous …

I wonder how much money this cost the city of Atlanta? And, I don’t mean in Cobb County Police Salaries, but in wasted productivity, ect, ect …

This was a boon-doggle of the highest proportion …

By chris

April 5, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

i dont see the big deal about the kids walking on the interstate…its not like they were 9 or 10 and its not like anyone was moving anywhere

By Peter

April 5, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this

I will say it again, I have not gone to six flags in years: too many hoomies, too many gangs= danger! Giving away something free in the city brings out all the food stamper, welfare folk, and free lunch/free day care people. What a joke, just shows the new face of this city, unemployed and needy!

By In actuality...

April 5, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

As I understand the frustration(seeing that I, too got up at 4 in the morning only to find the park was “at capacity”), Six Flags and Q100 cannot be fully blamed for this nightmare. While it was their fault that there was not police presence until the traffic was at a standstill, it is also the citizens responsibility to accommodate for the traffic mess. If this invite went out on internet sites such as Facebook and Myspace, not to mention the email-train, who knows just how many people got word of this and were prepared to go this morning. It was also on multiple radio stations, and at least one television station(where I saw a commercial advertising it). This means that the public had many chances to learn about it, they just didn’t listen. had they listened and read the notices, any knowledgeable person would have said “Hmm, Six Flags for free, I might want to leave a little early for work tomorrow.”

Addressing the capacity issue, everyone is correct! The ENTIRE park holds about 30 to 40 thousand people, but the park is split into about 6 sections. Each section holds a certain number of people, and Q100/Six Flags chose to open one of the the biggest—the one that holds about 15 thousand people— first. So yes, only one of the 3 main lots were full, but they couldn’t let anyone else in because they were only staffed enough to open the first section. Six Flags had their staff coming in about 15-20 minutes before their respective section opened. That’s why after about 7:45, paying visitors and season pass holders could get into the park. At 5:55 AM, as stated in many news articles, Q100 and Six Flags decided to stop the free promotion after the rush of cars got in, so the ticket machines stopped printing. once that section reached capacity, they discarded all other free admission tickets. It would have been smarter on their part to open the entire park at once, as to allow more, if not all of the people to enter the park. They planned for people to get there at 8 or 8:30(when the entire park DID open), but advertised “Get there at 6 so you don’t get left out”, so most got there at 6, and got turned away.

Now, switching over to the 8th grade mind that I have… Get OVER it! It was over 15 hours ago for Pete’s sake! It’s not like Six Flags is gonna give you your money back, and its not like you can turn back time, so shut up, go to bed, and get up tomorrow morning and just go to work. You lost work hours…can you change that? NO! So shutup!!

By Dwayne

April 5, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

If you are that excited to get up at 2 am to get in free at Six Flags, you should get a life.

By Col. Sanders

April 5, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Hey OutragedYou should be embarrassed at how your race always seems to rise to the occasion when it comes to stupidity. The actions of these afro-americans reflect negatively upon all blacks and until you get your act straight, you will always be marginalized as a race. I personally feel that you are an insignificant group and that was put on display today at six flags with your deplorable actions. Who wants to go to a thug infested park. Maybe that’s why I love paying the high cost to go to Disney World because I don’t have to interact with low-class blacks. No free lunch at Disney World!!!

By erin

April 5, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

no, what is funny is how you wake up at 3am. u catch marta downtown and u have over 60 people on one bus. now that bus is stuck in traffic with people standing up and sitting on the floors. you have 4 exits blocked off so u travel all the way to austell,georgia and by the army base just to get us back to indian creek. try staying on a marta bus since 5am-9am. you have nowhere to go. you dont want to get off because you dont know the area. parents are at work. its freezing outside. six flags should have known this would happen. i mean its stupid on our part because nothing is FREE in this world but that was terrible. would have done better driving. at least i would not have been on a bus for 5 hours and you don’t know where you are going.

By Mr. Obvious

April 5, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

How many of these good-for-nothing freeloaders would’ve shown up this morning if those SIX FLAGS flying high were all CONFEDERATE flags?

By Sam

April 5, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

rewind. let’s backup and clean it up here. this is 2007. Six Flags and the radio station misrepresented the promo by not stating that there was a limit. I feel for any one going there thinking they had an activity for the kids for the day. not everyone can afford to go any other time….. and not everyone takes cruises for spring break….this was a bone to throw the kids…. shame on both of them. I didn’t go but know of some who wanted to go. News flash….even on a regular day six flags is only half operational….these off days they are well below that i bet. Besides being just a coaster park, it ain’t worth the money.

By Denise

April 5, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Six Flags needs to take some tips from Disney World. And how in the world did we allow certain people to become such worthless parents?????

By SUZ

April 5, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

I WAS AT SIX FLAGS TODAY. THE BERT SHOW COMPLETELY LIED. THE PARK WAS NOT AT CAPACITY….THEY RAN OUT OF THE LIMITED NUMBER OF FREE TICKETS.

THE PARK WAS AT LESS THAN 20% CAPACITY. THE LONGEST WAIT IN LINE WAS 15 MINUTES.

SO….QUIT THINKING THIS ISN’T Q100’S FAULT B/C THEY LIED…THERE WAS NO WHERE NEAR 15,000 PEOPLE…MAYBE 2,000!!!!!!!!

By Thisisnuts

April 5, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

Who cares about this?…these people were all a bunch of throwaways anyway.

By AWT

April 5, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Who did you expect to show up in droves for free 6 flags tickets…the very same ones who show up for free government cheese, the very same ones who demand free legal services, the very same ones who demand free medical care, and the very same ones who blame the government when they were too stupid to heed the warnings about leaving New Orleans before Katrina. Yep, you guessed it; the irresponsible, criminally minded, entitled, trash near and dear to the hearts of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson who make their big money from pimping them.

By Joseph

April 6, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

Six Flags should have to pay for all of the city/state police officers that had to deal with traffic. It’s not the city’s/state’s responsibility to play crowd control for some stupid concert. There are more important things our tax dollars pay for.

By Traffic Tracker

April 6, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

To all dumb enough to go this morning: Bold: SUCKERS!!!* As a Traffic Tracker, I don’t pitty those stupid enough to voluntarily get stuck in this mess at 3 AM!!! It’s your fault.

Anyways, Like Q100 would let everyone in for free. Do you realize how much profit they would loose?

Did anyone else notice all the cough downtown gangs flashing their signs to the TV cameras this morning? That’s why it got nipped in the bud. Besides the obvious lack of planning, there was not enough basic control of the situation then we would of turned on the TV at 6pm to hear about a gang shooting at Six Flags. Good thing that didn’t happen!

DON’T DO THAT AGAIN SIX FLAGS!!!

By Traffic Tracker

April 6, 2007 12:23 AM | Link to this

To all dumb enough to go this morning: Bold: SUCKERS!!!*

As a Traffic Tracker, I don’t pitty those stupid enough to voluntarily get stuck in this mess at 3 AM!!! It’s your fault.

Anyways, Like Q100 would let everyone in for free. Do you realize how much profit they would loose?

Did anyone else notice all the cough downtown gangs flashing their signs to the TV cameras this morning? That’s why it got nipped in the bud. Besides the obvious lack of planning, there was not enough basic control of the situation then we would of turned on the TV at 6pm to hear about a gang shooting at Six Flags. Good thing that didn’t happen!

DON’T DO THAT AGAIN SIX FLAGS!!!

By Al

April 6, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this

As usual, most of you on here can not express a comment about anything without making it a race thing. If we are going to make this a racial thing, let’s look at the facts. First, Q100 is a top 40 station, not rap or r & b. The local “urban” stations usually give tickets away on the air for their free promotions, because they have been vilified by the white media for trying to give back. This was poor planning at its best. Second, I live on the south side of the metro area, and I don’t recall hearing complaints like this when there is a race at AMS and you can’t get from I-285 south to anywhere along the I-75 corridor for two or three days because of the white race fans (I always use this as an opportunity to escape to Hilton Head or somewhere!). Finally, I have watched several newscasts about this story, and I have yet to hear about any violence or arrests, so these so-called thugs knew how to act in the park and the so-called ignorant people who were turned away knew how to keep there tempers in check while sitting in traffic for hours (some of you may need to take note). Bottom line - a “white” station tried to have a “private” event (if we do it early in the morning, the lazy N’s won’t be up), but they forgot that even the “thugs”, “welfare recipients”, and other members of that “demographic” are free to listen to whatever station they want, are intelligent enough to have access to electronic media, and they will work around whatever time constraints that they are given.

A separate note to AJC: I have noticed over the last few months that these blogs have gotten more and more vicious and racially divisive. I think it is time to take some corporate responsibility and stop perpetuating the ignorance that seems to permeate the site. As the cliche’ says, “United we Stand, Divided we Fall.” This applies to all of us whether it is about our race, our country, our state or our city. Let’s move toward promoting harmony among our residents rather than promoting bigotry and hatred!

By Lance

April 6, 2007 1:22 AM | Link to this

This blog needs to be filtered by www.ajc.com. I can’t believe what blatantly angry and hateful opinions the AJC is allowing to be seen under the banner of their name.

I’m disgusted by what happened today at Six Flags, and I freely admit to having strong class-based prejudices about it, but I would never write the type of things that have appeared here. It simply does no public good for anybody.

It’s not about being politically correct folks, it’s about putting forth your arguments with some sense of decorum and dignity. If you believe you’re right, that will be evident in the character you show. If you just sling mud around, you’ve brought nothing to the table.

By Captain Obvious

April 6, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this

I like how the photo of the roller coaster has five or more empty seats. Looks pretty packed to me.

By Grandma

April 6, 2007 5:20 AM | Link to this

Atlanta should think about having some regular free events and maybe this wouldn’t happen. Six Flags is not a government sponsered park - but there are other places that are and the government should have things that single and low income families can do without breaking their budget. Chicago has a free zoo and Brookfield Zoo used to offer free days also. There is nothing in Atlanta that is reasonably priced for those of us on a tight budget. There wouldn’t be such a need for anyone to wait in line for 3-4 hours before the park opened if there were more inexpensive ways to entertain our children.

By Killer

April 6, 2007 6:35 AM | Link to this

I wonder if the Six Flags marketing department thinks now that their

“free day” was a such a great idea? It was an absolute public relations disaster!! Did they ever consider the residual affect it would have on the already overcrowded roads and commute that many thousands have everyday on I-20? I wonder if they thought of all the local and state police and fire agencies that had to contend with their moronic idea? Six Flags already had a captive local audience with all the schools being on spring break. They could have charged double and still had a full park. My only hope is that the people who operate and maintain all the rides are not managed by the same ones who thought up this scheme.

Thanks

Larry Kilgore

By Killer

April 6, 2007 6:37 AM | Link to this

I wonder if the Six Flags marketing department thinks now that their

“free day” was a such a great idea? It was an absolute public relations disaster!! Did they ever consider the residual affect it would have on the already overcrowded roads and commute that many thousands have everyday on I-20? I wonder if they thought of all the local and state police and fire agencies that had to contend with their moronic idea? Six Flags already had a captive local audience with all the schools being on spring break. They could have charged double and still had a full park. My only hope is that the people who operate and maintain all the rides are not managed by the same ones who thought up this scheme.

By Michael

April 6, 2007 7:06 AM | Link to this

Dear AJC: Please censor your blogs since it’s your responsibility under the Ten Commandments. The First Amendment was not written by God and thus you do not have to follow it.

By Terrell in The ATL

April 6, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this

If any yall say anything about us being caught on camera in the act of breaking the law, being greedy, showing blind outrage, blaming others for our own self-made problems or generally acting in a completely classless manner, that means you are a racist.

Deal witt it !!!!

By Wendy

April 6, 2007 7:19 AM | Link to this

First of all, if you think the government owes you something just becasue you are poor, gt a grip and get your ass a job. Q100 offered a “free day”, that is their right as a radio station. Six Flags reserves the right to close their gates if the park is full, no matter what time it is. Parents who dropped off their hoodlum ghetto kids on the interstate to walk to the gate, Im glad they got turned away. How ignorant do you have to be to drop your child off on the interstate? Idiots. For the ones who got into the park, good for them, I love Six Flags and I know they had fun. As for the rest of you low income government suckers, get a job and you can pay for your ticket into the park like the rest of us hard working folks.

By enoughof this

April 6, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this

GuestRelations@sftp.com This is the SIX flags guest relations email. Talk to them. Enuf of the hate.

By Big Fan

April 6, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this

Where is the free stuff today?

By Big Fan

April 6, 2007 7:30 AM | Link to this

Let me add….

*You folks that are demanding that the AJC censor their blog are just as unAmerican as Joseph Stalin or Osama Bin Laden. *

Now, deal with that!!

Anyone have any ideas on how to get stains out of my Polo chinos…?!

By Jamal

April 6, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

Did anybody see how dumb and ignorant Bert Weiss is when interviewed on TV?

That idiot is a no good Joo ignoramus who is takng advantage of my people like all the rest of them.

Now, I remember why I always hated his kind so much.

Hillary will make sure all my people get into SIX FLAGZ for free and don’t have to give THE MAN any money!

By Gimme a Break

April 6, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this

First of all, the blame does fall on Q100 and Six Flags if they did not communicate that only one section of the park was going to be opened for the free contingent. As mentioned a few times on this blog, the park does hold 30-40K.

Secondly, why isn’t the AJC monitoring the venom is being spewed in both directions? It is blatantly obvious that we have a tremendous problem here with blacks & whites not getting along and unless an overall attitude change occurs on both sides, WE WILL NEVER GET ALONG. And no, having the State of Georgia apologize for slavery will not change the attitudes and hearts of the people.

To all you white racists, what is your problem with blacks? IT IS ONLY A FREAKING SKIN COLOR, what is your deal? And don’t give me the “look at all the gang bangers and people on welfare bit” because we have plenty of whites who don’t put forth any effort at the office, live in trailers, and don’t even try to make themselves better. I’ve worked with many whites who were nowhere near worth their salaries, yet they continued to collect a paycheck while the minority did the majority of the work. Oh, and you people who say “I don’t care if you’re red, black, purple, orange, green,….” you are a racist. I hate that line!

To all the black racists: Yes, I said it. Why the chip on your shoulder? Believe it or not, you are a black American, not an “afro American.” You’re as “afro American” as I am Scottish-American. Bottom line is WE ARE AMERICANS AND ARE A MELTING POT OF MANY DIFFERENT RACES AND NATIONALITIES. Yes, your people were brought over here against their will but their sacrifice has made your life better. Just like the sacrifice of those who died fighting for this country in the Revolutionary war. The atrocities were similar for what the British did to the colonist but in a different point in history.

Unfortunately, we are never going to get along. Racism both ways is one of the many things that is wrong with this country but it is still the best country in the general free World to live.

Finally, why can’t people write? I cringe at the e-mails that I get at work or when I read a blog where people can’t correctly use “your, you’re, to, too, etc.” Parents need to take a bit of time to look at their kids’ homework and correct them every once and a while when they use incorrect grammar. We are falling behind other countries that go to school year round, seven days a week and it’s going to bite us somewhere down the road. It already is….

By enough

April 6, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com GuestRelations@sftp.com Six Flags & Q100 BOTH misrepresented this offer….and then may have also lied when they said it was full. parking lot only had a few hundred cars when they blocked it off.

By H

April 6, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

Stupid is, What stupid does. These are all of the people who hold-up traffic everyday in the Atlanta area. People wonder why I work nights? Ha!

By H

April 6, 2007 7:47 AM | Link to this

Stupid is, What stupid does. These are all of the people who hold-up traffic everyday in the Atlanta area. People wonder why I work nights? Ha!

By Big Fan

April 6, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

Hey Gimme a Break, Good Job. I think you covered everybody!! BRAVO!!

Here is my email to Sex Flags:

Please do it again, I have never had so much fun reading about the fiasco online and participating in the blogs on AJC.com.

    **Please, for the love of God, do it again, but do it on a Monday!!**

By Dark Rage Against 6 FLAGZ

April 6, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

Racist 6 FLAGZ turned me an my cousin away at the gates yesterday.

MIKE VICK dont need no FREE DAY to get into 6 FLAGZ and yall HATE him for it!l

Keep on Hatin VICK you buncha HATERS!

Buncha cracker racists bigots jealous hillbilly HATERS!

Vick needz to be the QB cuz you white people have been keepin us down for 400 years. Itz time 4 us to get PAID yo!

Vick DA $130million MAN yo! Vick can get all the weed and WHITE B!TCH#S he wants and you racists can’t do NUTHIN abou it! None of yall!

Vick is 1 of the Gratest QBs Ever and Blank will go broke if MV leaves town.

You crackerz will be back on Vick’s NUTZZZZZ again next year when he wins DA SUPER BO !!!

F* yall white people!! Yall aint no real FALCON fans.

Vick just smoke a little weed and yall racists act like he killt sumbody.

HATERS!

Boo Got Shot!

Boo Got Shot!

Number 7 is DA MAN !!!!!!!!!!!!

Let the HATERZ like 6 FLAGZ hate!

Just Keepin It Real Yo! Weez Just Keepin It REAL!

A T L yo!!!

A T L !!!!!

By Michael

April 6, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this

Apparently a bunch of White people are lining up in 30 degree weather in the early morning under the cover of darkness to watch golf in Augusta. Thugs …

By Dan

April 6, 2007 7:59 AM | Link to this

SIX FLAGS, Q100, DOT, THE POLICE, PARENTS, TEENAGERS…..ALL IDIOTS….AND SOME HISTORIANS WONDER WHY THE SOUTH LOST THE CIVIL WAR !!!!!

By Big Fan

April 6, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this

I bet KKKarl Rove had somethin’ to do with this…it fits his MO perfectly.

No one would suspect his influence…but I did.

I think it may be time for some of you folks to go into some sort of rehab for your attitudes…what, that seems to be the way to atone for your ‘transgressions’ these days…

Anyway, I cannot find anything on TV interesting to watch and I am bored.

By Kevin

April 6, 2007 8:13 AM | Link to this

Seriously people, what did you think was going to happen?? This event was with the best intentions from Q100 and six flags. If you did get acccess to the park, you would not be complaining, that makes you a hypocrite and selfish. The problem is that you will complain if something doesn’t go just the way you want. Did you really think that Six Flags had unlimited capacity??????? Just how do you think you are going to sue someone over this event? The traffic that it caused would be your lawsuit?? Good, then when you are the moron that causes an accident that backs traffic up to Alabama, I’m going to file a lawsuit against you for causing traffic! Take this for what it is, a GREAT idea that YOU took FULL advantage of and are now upset because you didn’t get in!

By Quit whining

April 6, 2007 8:36 AM | Link to this

You want to know why there are so many “racist” comments on here? Take a look at any of the pictures or video. Who is lining up for the freebie day? The majority of them black. The girl in the video blaming Six Flags for being stranded after her mom dumped her and went to work—-let’s just say not of Asian background. Who is hopping the guardrail on I-20? Black kids in baggy pants and thugwear.

Now if you caught the news you could see a bunch of families who saw the mess and took their kids to the zoo instead. They didn’t complain, they went to another place that charged admission and was educational. What color do you think all those people were? WHITE. Not an African-American in sight.

Keep hatin’ on the AJC. All they do is give an unintentionally accurate representation of what African-American values are. Hate ‘em for allowing a forum where other people can point out that the thug welfare babydaddy culture produces losers. If you don’t like it, scram. Go visit Jesse Jackson’s website where you can be reassured that everything is about white people oppressing blacks through racism. Fill your head with that junk while you languish in the ghetto.

By Lou

April 6, 2007 8:39 AM | Link to this

1. How stupid is Q100 and Six Flags to think that this wouldn’t cause a problem??? Of course people are going to come in high numbers for this. It was an exceptional idea that wasn’t handled properly.

Maybe next time (if there is one), they have 25,000 free tickets that you have to pick up via phone/internet/in person. There’s a time limit on them (say, 2 weeks to use). Then there isn’t tens of thousands of people trying to get into the same place, on the same day.

1. How stupid are people not to understand Six Flags has a capacity that cannot be exceeded?

By Lou

April 6, 2007 8:40 AM | Link to this

1. How stupid is Q100 and Six Flags to think that this wouldn’t cause a problem??? Of course people are going to come in high numbers for this. It was an exceptional idea that wasn’t handled properly.

Maybe next time (if there is one), they have 25,000 free tickets that you have to pick up via phone/internet/in person. There’s a time limit on them (say, 2 weeks to use). Then there isn’t tens of thousands of people trying to get into the same place, on the same day.

1. How stupid are people not to understand Six Flags has a capacity that cannot be exceeded?

By CJ

April 6, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

I still can’t believe, a day later, how mahy people feel like they were “owed” something out of this promotion. Anything FREE is not guaranteed!

To the parents who let their kids wander from the freeway to the park: you should be spayed and neutered.

To Q100 & Six Flags: having this promotion during spring break was assinine. It should have been done when the kids are in daycare, I mean school.

To everyone late for work & appointments: Welcome to Atlanta, where that NEVER happens due to traffic(I say this dripping with sarcasm).

To the parents who are depressed and say that this was their only chance to take their kids to Six Flags: Liars. Money might be tight, but if Six Flags is that important to you, you can save Coca-Cola cans for a discount & save pennies in a jar for the rest. If you can’t afford to do that, a theme park excursion should NOT be your priority.

To the people saying the parking lot wasn’t full and think they lied about capacity: Ever heard of a bus or a van? They holds lots of people and therefore less parking space is necessary for all of the people.

TGIF!

By Shane M

April 6, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

It seems a good amount of people on here are compaining about what has happened. I do understand the frustration about the traffic, but Six Flags and Q100 were trying to do a good thing! We tried to go as well, but it seems if someone tries to do some good/free there are more people to b*** and say how bad things are rather than saying….hey guys good try, maybe next time we do it a little differen!! My god I hate people that b*** when companies try to do a good thing! Get over it, it was traffic!

By CJ

April 6, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

I still can’t believe, a day later, how many people feel like they were “owed” something out of this promotion. Anything FREE is not guaranteed!

To the parents who let their kids wander from the freeway to the park: you should be spayed and neutered.

To Q100 & Six Flags: having this promotion during spring break was asinine. It should have been done when the kids are in daycare, I mean school.

To everyone late for work & appointments: Welcome to Atlanta, where that NEVER happens due to traffic(I say this dripping with sarcasm).

To the parents who are depressed and say that this was their only chance to take their kids to Six Flags: Liars. Money might be tight, but if Six Flags is that important to you, you can save Coca-Cola cans for a discount & save pennies in a jar for the rest. If you can’t afford to do that, a theme park excursion should NOT be your priority.

To the people saying the parking lot wasn’t full and think they lied about capacity: Ever heard of a bus or a van? They holds lots of people and therefore less parking space is necessary for all of the people.

TGIF!

By oldgold

April 6, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this

It’s not that serious.

By Lisa

April 6, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

On a positive note, my daughter and her friends arrived at 4:30 and had a blast. Some kids even stated they were going to camp out. Point is, don’t try to go to such an event one hour or less before when you already know ATL is known for traffic, especially early morning traffic. Can someone just tell me why in the heck would a “PARENT” drop their child off ON I-20 to WALK and better yet leave the children unattended. If someone would have hit one of these kids walking the first comment would have been law suit. SIX FLAGS: I’m available for your newly opened PR / Marketing position (LOL)

By Ms. Writer

April 6, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this

Ok, It’s over people, and today’s commute made up for it…

Quit Whining: Don’t be ignorant..I am young, black and educated, moderately wealthy so don’t try to bag all African Americans…As a matter of fact, I was at Walmart last week and the automatic cashier went down, two white girls stood behind me, angry and inarticulate asking the teller if they took EBT (food stamps)…

By sickofit

April 6, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

I can tell from this blog that the additional 2 million people added to this city in the last couple of years must have IQ’s below 90. Ugh. I grew up in Atlanta…and it USED to be such a great place to live….before all of you all losers arrived. Go back to whatever pile of (&( you came from….we don’t need you here. Thanks Billy and the olympics for putting atlanta on the map for a bunch of losers. Wake up you entitlement minded losers.

By Blame Shifter

April 6, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

A friend sent me a text message Wednesday night asking me to ditch work and go to Six Flags yesterday.

Here was my response: “Have you lost your d@mn mind!? We’re too old for that. It’s spring break. Haven’t you been in Atlanta long enough to know better?

It’s my opinion that EVERYONE involved in this mess is at fault. Q100, Six Flags, silly parents, naive and spoiled children, clueless governments, and everyone else who had a part gets a share of the blame. You can’t always allow FREE!!! to overrule your common sense, because as it’s been said so many times throughout this blog, nothing is free.

By Blame Shifter

April 6, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

A friend sent me a text message Wednesday night asking me to ditch work and go to Six Flags yesterday.

Here was my response: “Have you lost your d@mn mind!? We’re too old for that. It’s spring break. Haven’t you been in Atlanta long enough to know better?

It’s my opinion that EVERYONE involved in this mess is at fault. Q100, Six Flags, silly parents, naive and spoiled children, clueless governments, and everyone else who had a part gets a share of the blame. You can’t always allow FREE!!! to overrule your common sense, because as it’s been said so many times throughout this blog, nothing is free.

By Maddness

April 6, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

First and foremost I would like to say that Frank and Wanda from V-103 held a free day at White Water last year and it was not chaotic, my chideren attended that event, however, they did not get in free. Six Flags and Q100 should both recieve some bad publicity and consumers should consider this before they spend their money with the park.

1. While I would NEVER allow my children to walk up I-20, I have allowed them to ride MARTA (which requires “walking into the park” from the bus stop. I personally have parked at the hotel on the other side of I-20 down the street from Six Flags and WALKED into the park. Further, their are other privately owned parking lots close to the park that require, once again, A WALK INTO THE PARK.

2. My son (who holds a season pass) called the park after 10:00 a.m. and confirmed they were open, and was reminded by the person answering the phone “but not for free.” My question here is: If the park was “at capacity” at 6:15 a.m. for the “hot event” are we to believe that all of the lucky ones who actually made it through the gate just left? Or that the park made an emergency expansion so that they were able to allow those who wanted to PAY to get in the park in? I call B* Sh*!!

3. My son, who went to the park around noon, told me that it did not appear to be over crowded, and was nothing to summer days when the park is overrun with out-of-towners as he had experienced before and the lines were moving quickly.

If you ask me, too many people wanted were getting in free, and to me, it is a sad day when a multi-million dollar conglomerate can not give back to the community.

As for the parent comment above, my mother has always said that the people who know the most about raising children, have none of their own.

There were many teenagers whose parents may have taken them to the park early and, yes, dropped them off before 7:00 a.m., the magic hour that was reported in the AJC the previous day as “if you are not in line by 7:00 a.m you may not get in for free.” Yet even with that warning, we are led to believe that when there were over 300 cars at 3 a.m. nobody thought that there may be a problem, traffic or otherwise.

Way to go Q100 and Six Flags. You made a lot of friends yesterday and I am sure some loyal listeners/customers.

By WOW

April 6, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

What amazes me is this blog is still going on 24 hours later. Secondly, I do not understand how an article/blog about the “chaos” at Six Flags turned into a blog about race. Yet this is typical. Check your facts whit boy, Col. Sanders, AWT, and Al. African-Americans do not lead the country in the “free government” programs, it is in fact the other way around. It amazes me how society tries so hard to depict Black kids as thugs, gang bangers, etc. when in fact it is the very kids that they do not show how are taking over that image (White, Asian, Hispanic). Those of you who think that Blacks cause recklessness when they get together, let’s take a look at Woodstock (living free - yet we hear nothing about the unlimited amount of drugs, rapes, etc.) or the big name concerts were the drugs are free and the people are loose to do what they want. Yet somehow we never see these pictures or hear of these stories on the news. We never see the images of the gang-bangers unless they have a brown skin tone. We never hear about the girl or boy who killed their parents because they “got on their nerves”…HMM! Yet somehow, this was plastered all over the media and made to seem as if it was ALL African-Americans. I guess you missed the pictures of your Caucasian “bruthas and sistas” who entered the park and who were also turned away.

So to “Quit Whining” shut up and check your facts. Before you all decide to post this petty minded comments check yourselves first. “Small minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas.” Think on that!

By WOW

April 6, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

What amazes me is this blog is still going on 24 hours later. Secondly, I do not understand how an article/blog about the “chaos” at Six Flags turned into a blog about race. Yet this is typical. Check your facts whit boy, Col. Sanders, AWT, and Al. African-Americans do not lead the country in the “free government” programs, it is in fact the other way around. It amazes me how society tries so hard to depict Black kids as thugs, gang bangers, etc. when in fact it is the very kids that they do not show how are taking over that image (White, Asian, Hispanic). Those of you who think that Blacks cause recklessness when they get together, let’s take a look at Woodstock (living free - yet we hear nothing about the unlimited amount of drugs, rapes, etc.) or the big name concerts were the drugs are free and the people are loose to do what they want. Yet somehow we never see these pictures or hear of these stories on the news. We never see the images of the gang-bangers unless they have a brown skin tone. We never hear about the girl or boy who killed their parents because they “got on their nerves”…HMM! Yet somehow, this was plastered all over the media and made to seem as if it was ALL African-Americans. I guess you missed the pictures of your Caucasian “bruthas and sistas” who entered the park and who were also turned away.

So to “Quit Whining” shut up and check your facts. Before you all decide to post these petty minded comments check yourselves first. “Small minds talk about people, average minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas.” Think on that!

By Quit whining

April 6, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

You got me there WOW. The racist white reporter waited for the small group of black kids to herd up behind her. As soon as she went off the air, thousands of whites, latinos, etc. came flooding by.

Did you stop to consider the media only shows those gang-bangers who are brown BECAUSE most gang bangers ARE brown? You’ll find some white ones. You could see a few white people in the freeloading masses yesterday. They were far overwhelmed by the sea of black faces. Anybody can be trashy and stupid, white, black, or purple. But African-Americans enbrace the ideals that made this mess. Entitlement, lack of foresight, greed, crappy parenting, disregard of others, and a focus on worthless goals. It’s not petty minded to observe that an entire culture has values that make them a pain in the azz at best, and downright dangerous and socially poisonous at worst.

That enough fact checking for you?

By Oh well

April 6, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

To all you bigots who keep whining and complaining about the state of Metro Atlanta: Either get over it or move away! There are plenty of counties in Georgia that are still accepting of rednecks like you. That way blacks can really take over.

Your ancestors brought us here, so live with it. Maybe if you weren’t so busy turning your noses down at us, you’d actually set an example for “thugs” to follow. Let’s all try to strenghten the so called weak links.

By sandra

April 6, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Is it true there was a drive-by shooting yesteray by in the bumper car area? Is nothing thug proof? What is next? The McDonalds playpen? Oh wait, that’s fast food…too late!

By Rosa Q. Taxpayer

April 6, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

My Little Girl:

“Mommy, why do the black people hate us and the white people so much?

Why are so many of them so mad at us?

Why don’t they want to be our friends?”

.

*Out of the mouths of babes…..
*

By No Personal Responsibility

April 6, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

According to Oh Well, it is the fault of the WHITE PEOPLE why so many members of a certain ethnic group CHOOSE to act like “thugs.”

It is everyone ELSE’S fault, NOT any of their own.

Hmmmmm…..

By ashley

April 6, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Yeah we went with 24 people in 5 cars from South Carolina & North Carolina and were turned away. We lost a days pay. We all spent over $50.oo a car for gas and a van rental for $119.oo. I will NEVER take a family vacation at SIX FLAGS ever again. I wrote the park with a complaint but i did not receive an apology from them. It would of been nice to at least get an apology since we wasted over $1000. that is counting not working that day because we took the vacation…

By USArmyVet

April 6, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

I find this to be sad. As a veteran who gave up liberties to protect your (ALL OF YOU) I find the hate to be unbelievable. This is about a free ticket give away that caused (most likely) unintended traffic issues. Some of you turned into an opportunity to sprew hate. We all had one thing in common, we hated (or sympathized with)the trafiic problems or we appreciated (an attempt) the radio station made. This event was about kids- who are not applying for welfare, working or buying trailers… STOP THE MADNESS. I am an educated, financially secure and law abiding citizen whom is also a black female. We all know there are good people, bad rich, poor… those raised properly and those who were’nt…so stop blaming every problem on the poor, the minorities… the world. It was just a failed attempt at a free giveaway.

By Ashley

April 6, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

I love the way everyone assumes that most of the people who went were poor trash. Well we are a very hard working family. Me & my husband work 6 days a week for everything we have. We are whining because we left at midnight to go from another state. We arrived in line at 4:15am. The police had no idea how to direct traffic and were letting people go ahead of others who had been sitting for hours. We lost over $1000.(24 people) in lost pay, a van rental, gas money and food costs. We will never get this money back. We should of went to carowinds. We could afford it but with so many people we figured we’d save money and try to cut corners. As very hard working people i guess nothing in life is FREE..I will NEVER do anything like this again. I DEMAND an apology from Six Flags & Q-100. I wrote them both. I’m not asking for money i want an apology….

By Val

April 6, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Imagine if all the young white kids who express theirselves by dressing “goth” were labeled “thugs”. Or imagine because of what many white killers have done, every white person was called “gang bangers”. Or if the house down the street was “busted” for meth and now your whole neighborhood was deemed a drug area. Well those labls are placed on all African Americans daily. My child is none of those yet if your child is… mine is the one feeling the pain. I can tell you this.. as more and more minorities gain access to the American dream thus more of the majority have to compete and lose… you too will see the effects of unemployment, hopeless and fear encompass. As more and more young white children turn to drugs and crime- I will refrain from labeling the entire race as thugs, gang bangers, welfare freeloaders and such. The overwhelming majority that attended Six Flags yesterday were hard working parents, school age children or teens and law abiding American citizens.

By do what

April 6, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Ashley let me get this straight. You said: Yeah we went with 24 people in 5 cars from South Carolina & North Carolina and were turned away. Ok either you are kidding or a nut! Either you have never been to Atlanta before or near Atlanta to think you could get into 6 Flags for FREE. Too funny!

By Bottom Line

April 6, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

Are you really going to blame a radio station for this? Are you really going to blame Six Flags? Blame yourself and your poor planning. When I heard about this, I thought hhhhmmmm, they are going to let everyone in for free, and the park holds about 30 + thousand people, and the radio station said they will start giving away tickets at 6:00 am? Maybe I should get there a little early. Yes, I was one of the many getting in line at 3:00 am, but you know what, I planned for it. I know it’s difficult if you have children and having to take time off from work, but let’s be honest. Did everyone think they would get in? Even if they allowed all 30,40 thousand people in, they would still have to turn people away.You have to be realistic and think , Do I want to deal with this mess? People came from other states to spend the day at the park for free and thought they could simply show up at 6:00 am. Those people definitely should have planned better. I know that if there was a better traffic route, maybe it would have been a little less stressful for some, but this is ATL. Home of the fastest commute to nowhere. Look at Christmas time, we have people that line up for days to buy a video game..AND THEY PAY FOR IT. All I’m saying is we can rant and complain and write all the letters we want. Is anything going to get done or change…NO. The radio station already said sorry, for whatever that counts for. Six Flags will definitely not give any “inconvenience” freebies. Everyone wants to point fingers at each other…drop it. It’s old news .Boycott Six Flags…you will save money for something else. Stop listening to Q100, there are plenty of other crappy station’s out there. Stop driving on I20, it will make my commute much better. Things like this happen. It just makes you more aware that you either need to do plan better or don’t go. That’s the bottom line.

By Big Fan

April 6, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

LOTTA HATE OUT THERE!!

I am still trying to find a good way to get the stains out of my Polo chinos…anyone??

By Impartial Observer

April 8, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

Did you folks see the local TV footage of all those lazy, shiftless, greedy, no-account, sense-of-entitlement-having, angry-acting, freeloading WHITE, ASIAN and HISPANIC kids at SIX FLAGS climbing over the security gates to get their free admission to which they felt entitled, flashing their gang signs to the TV cameras, getting out of their ‘ridez’ to walk along I-20, complaining about being denied SIX FLAGS entry due to their race and generally being rude and inconsiderate tp all their fellow citizens in line with them who were also being denied entry?

Yeah.

Neither did I.