Well, As far as the cycle it depends on when you rode it. They run different cycles depending on the crowd. This also applies to how many seats they operate.
They had a few new guys on the ride in Tampa so that could have had something to do with it. As far as them being rude, You should have found the boss because he doesn't play games with the help and wouldn't approve of that stuff. It has 4 programs and they are all different.
The Stinger actually has 3 programs. If they are running a large crowd, they disable Phase 3 (meaning the seats remained locked and after looping, the ride ends), if they are running a small crowd, they disable gondolas 2 and 4 and only load 8. I got to film them operating the ride and will be posting a promo video for the Stinger soon (footage on, off the ride and from a helicopter above the ride, that was fun, and tearing down the ride at the end of the Florida State Fair) Jeff Alberts is the foreman of the ride from what I understand, nice guy, he lets me ride for free at any fair they go to now, if you have trouble with any of the operators, tell Jeff, he'll straighten things out. As for riding, I once rode 23 times in a row at the Lee County Fair in Lee County, FL, it's a different thrill every run. Great ride.