Spares & Strikes

By DJ

May 22, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Being a bowler for several years… I am appauled at the way AMF has now terminated employees based on “heresay”. I am here to testify that in the past they have not terminated GM’s for stealing (money), nor have they, in the past, run investigations to corroborate what they have been told. Currently you had a GM and other employees that truly cared about the sport and the bowlers that were there. These same associates were trying to bring in new bowlers as well. All of these employees were fired based on statements that are not founded. AMF needs to know how the bowlers out here feel!! They have a DM who does not care about this town, nor is he doing his job. We have had two GM’s fired prior to this one, and they were never restricted from coming into the centers. I know for a fact that the one that was fired back in 2005 was stealing, I saw that with my own two eyes, and he is still allowed to go in there today. AMF needs to be fair across the board. I do believe that they need to investigate the DM and answer to the town of Waco why? Because of his actions, bowleres acrossed Waco are disgruntled. I could understand if the GM had done something illegal, but she has yet to be given an exact reason for her recent termination. My understanding is that she is under a doctors care anyway!!! I witnessed her working three days after her surgery in March, now that is crazy!!! That should tell you a lot about the DM!!! I say everyone that is concerned about the future of the AMF centers here in Waco, should contact AMF and talk to the head honchos!!!! League bowlers are the only guarantee for bowling centers!!!! You should speak your peace!!!

By rinehartluck

May 24, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Just wanted to say bye to everyone since I have been fired and banned. I have never been late nor wrote up so I am confused. Probably its because we have friendship here in Waco since we all work together. Its ok though I have already found another job and I am moving forward.. Yes iI did care alot about the centers and much more even got my brother to fix that sound system at westview but ya know its there loss coach knows that.. SO please take me off the board and yall have a wonderful year..

Always Brian Rinehart

By Pat

May 27, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

I wish you much success in your new job. I will take care of replacing you on the board. Sorry to see you go.

pp

By Hopes lost

May 29, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

DJ, you’re right. How can a company terminate the one GM (Lake Air) that cared about the bowlers and keep the GM (Westview) that could care less and is never around? Not to mention, when was the last time anyone saw the GM from Westview pick up a bowling ball and roll it down a lane? The only way to improve conditions is to understand the conditions. I have personally bowled at both centers and witnessed personnel abandoning their posts to talk/text on their cell phones while customers were standing at the bar/snack bar (mainly at Westview). Before the GM at Westview was hired the GM of Lake Air (recently fired) was over both centers. She was fair but firm with all employees and expected them to do their job. The service at Westview changed to the negative when the new GM came on board. For example, there is one bar tender (face piercings and tattoos) that has a horrible attitude, could care less about the customer, who has been witnessed taking all money out of the tip jar and putting it in her pocket. I thought that the tips were split between all employees, I could be wrong. There was one night where this same employee along with the employee behind the snack bar decided to take a break 30 minutes into league play with a packed house!!! What kind of service is that?? In this economy there are plenty of hard working people looking for jobs and AMF is so cheap that all they will hire is a bunch of kids with attitudes of “why are you bothering me?”. Not all of the kids are bad though. Joseph gets along with everyone that walks in the center. Nick is a “yes ma’am, yes sir”, well mannered young man. Oh yeah, that’s right, he was fired too. Ok, forced to quit, same difference. I mean, why not just go ahead and hire Ashley back? That way you’ll have all the little gossiping “I’ll get you in trouble” attitudes in one place. Merit line - phoey. Let’s make a phone call, make false accusations, have no investigation, and have corporate send their “I could care less” district manager down here to fire/force to quit most of the decent employees that either center had. I can’t believe that I spent this amount of time typing all this in. You want to watch a soap opera? Just walk into one of the bowling centers. I guess you could call it a “reality” show…

By Lost for Words

June 1, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this | Report comment abuse

Well, so I am not at all sure what to say with everything that has happened. Of all people, I should be the one to say mean things and wish the worst… but instead, I want to encourage everyone to continue doing what they love best! I know how important Waco Bowling is to so many of you and when I am able to continue helping with this you better believe I will be in it full force. Bowling isn’t about the management around you whom may not seem to care or maybe they just don’t have the guidance they need. Bowling in Waco is building a community of trust in two centers where people can enjoy themselves. I’ll be honest, not bowling the entire summer is going to be hard but at least now AMF feels they have accomplished something. If me staying away for the summer will help boost the moral of the employees at each center then I should see a significant difference when I walk in Westview in September to start the fall Doris Miller League. If me staying away will give the management a clear understanding of their positions then I guess I will see the management every league night caring more for the bowlers who are loyal to the centers. I was told to take this as a lesson learned, so the lesson I have learned is not to trust the ones who seem to care the most. I put my trust into the management team at both centers and seem to find myself the only one whom knew the job but still lost it over something silly. The real lesson learned would be to be strong and not let my guard down, especially when I have held it up for so long. Another job, not something I’ve found. I am looking and when I do find something you guys, my friends, will be the first to know. Don’t forget to enjoy bowling. For if you don’t enjoy it, why do it? I don’t think anyone walks into Lake Air who doesn’t plan on having a good time… at least a month ago you guys didn’t. Don’t let this small dip in the road stop you from enjoying the game. It is honestly something you do because you love it, keep loving it. Help Pat and the board continue building what they work so hard to do. And don’t forget Waco is hosting the Seniors State Bowling Tournament in 2010, we want to be them to keep coming back! :) Going to Vegas in two weeks…. :)

Natalie