Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

I am not a huge fan of shorts in a shop environment. Mostly because I have hairy legs that tend to collect aluminum swarf then slowly deposit it into my shoes.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

We encourage shorts on our team, considering it is part of team uniform. However, we cover up using our rad checkered socks all team members receive. It has never been an issue for us, from a safety perspective or otherwise.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

To my knowledge, from 2007-2016, there has never been a rule mandating what kind of pants pit people have to wear.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

Some teams have policies for varying reasons. (For example, 4451 requires long pants since they meet inside the Bosch plant; if I come up to get parts or something, I also have to have them on.)

That said, thank goodness they aren't a rule or I'd have melted in Orlando.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

T-Shirts are allowed and bare arms are more likely to be around robot mechanisms than bare legs are.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

As a volunteer I used to ask if shorts were allowed and often the answer was no. I saw other volunteers wearing shorts so I just followed their lead while also bring a pair of jeans and leaving them in the car. I have now abandoned bringing jeans because no one has ever asked me to change.

I was wearing shorts at the regional this past weekend. I walked miles each day, stood and kneeled in the pits and on the field and stood behind the scoring table and driver stations. No one had anything to say about it. Also it was around 30 degrees when I would arrive or leave the venue FWIW.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

With the temperatures that most districts get to, shorts become a necessity. :D So at least for First In Michigan, they are allowed.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

As many have said shorts are allowed. Your team may have different rules. If so that is a discussion for your team.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

Champs in St. Louis (or back in Atlanta) are definite shorts weather for me (except that time in the WCC when an open garage door let it in a nasty cold draft). I must be getting old that I need pants for temperature at events even in the 50s outside.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

The weather is still cold at the Canadian regionals, especially at Greater Toronto Central where the entire regional takes place on the surface of an ice hockey rink (the former Maple Leaf Gardens). We frequently popped outside to get food or go back to the hotel, and it was still right around freezing weather. No shorts for me, brrr!

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

But that's what makes it fun! Besides, free metallic confetti for when you win. ;)

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

While there are no rules prohibiting shorts, they become inconvenient when you invariably have to get down on your hands and knees in the pit or brush against something with a sharp/rough edge. For this reason I would recommend against them, especially for those who plan to work in the pits or are a member of the drive team (or both!).

I know in the process of lifting the robot on/off of the field you often end up scraping against your robot or the field, I know I caught my calf on the edge of the rail of the field perimeter leaving through the exit carrying a robot multiple times. People end up drilling and creating potentially sharp metal shavings in the pits, and if you were to kneel to get a better angle in the pits with shorts on you run the risk of embedding whatever swarf is on the floor into your legs (removal afterwords isn't fun). This is why I would recommend long pants, especially if you are planning to work in/around the pits and robots.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

I'd consider quitting if they banned shorts at competitions.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

Why are members of your team biting folks?


That being said, I don't wear shorts. But I know it's fairly popular to do so at FL regionals. Plus, I'd rather focus on preventing my students from turning 125 t-shirts into 125 vests... That's enough of a full time job.

Re: Shorts in the pits?
 

I once strongly suggested to a student that welding in shorts was not a good idea!!