Yeah, I know there's plenty of clearance around the track. I've seen the track with the lights on, even. But whenever I ride Space, I'm convinced that the track frame's ready to lop off a body part if I don't stay small.
Because of my height and my long arms, I don't put my arms up on any ride. Oh plus I am a chicken, which probably has more to do with me not putting up my arms than the height issue.
And I get that same feeling on Space Mountain too Robert, although I don't sink down in the seat. It's one of the few coasters I have yet to put my hands up.
On wooden coasters, I usually hold on unless I know personally the ride is smooth, in which case I will raise my hands but not above my head.
~By the way Robert you said they do it as if they where "at a hip-hop concert" I think they look more like there seats just caught fire and they where burning they behind's off. Like they where screaming putting there hands up like: Help me, heeeelp me, my but is burning up!!
On smooth coasters, I just let my arms sit in front of me, and float up and down as they see fit.
On harsh rides, I tend to push myself up with my arms and legs, to take the weight off my back, to minimize any back-related problems. Or I'll just use my legs, in which case I will sometimes hold UNDER the lap bar and pull it up so it doesn't accidentally get pushed down and hold me too tightly in the seat.
I will sometimes throw my arms up right before a tunnel or low-haning obstacle, just because that's when most people pull their arms down.
I'll normally casually place my arms on the restraint. rather than grabbing religiously onto the lap bar.
The whole "hands in the car" rule has been broken for a hundred years. Saying it now only serves to cover the parks butt for insurance and lawsuit purposes.
I go hands up probably about 65-70% of the time. If I'm solo, I'll sometimes drape my arm around the empty seat on a two-across woodie. Sometimes I'll use the grip bar, sometimes rest my hands at my side or in my lap. On El Toro, I'll occasionally pull back on the grip bar..it seems to increase the air time I get..I dunno why, physics is not a strength of mine...hell, it's not ANYTHING of mine! If I'm with a woman, and she'll let me, my arm may be around her shoulders or we'll both do the hands up thing while holding hands, forming a flying "W!" What can I say? I'm a romantic at heart....
Mike
Usually I'm going hands-up, or hands and feet up if the train design allows for that. Trying to touch your toes while going down Nitro's first drop is QUITE the rush and visual effect. But, when it comes to wooden coasters, I'm usually holding on. I love laterals, but my skinny frame doesn't take the rib-bashing too well.