Re: Decline of GTR Attendance
 

The requirement for students, under the age of 18, travelling with and as part of a school group, is still proof of citizenship and photo ID.

The adults, though, have to get passports.

I suspect the donated FedEx shipping wouldn't cover shipping to Toronto for an American team. Mind you, if you're going to a second event, you're paying for shipping anyways. As a Canadian team we receive an international air waybill that allows us to ship to and from the USA. Ironically, it doesn't allow us to ship across Canada. Usually I have found that freight expeditors can arrange shipping on a semi-trailer for the robot at fairly low cost. They can also help with the customs clearances and the brokerage process. It is an additional cost, but usually a fairly minor cost relative to entry fees, robot parts, hotel fees and teacher-on-call costs. (To cover for the team's teachers while we're supervising the trip.)

While the cost of a passport is certainly an issue for some, I find that over the course of 5 years I use it often enough that it amortizes out to somewhere around a few dollars per trip. In fact I've also got my NEXUS card which allows me to cross the border very, very quickly and efficiently. It costs a bit more, and involves a background check and security clearance... but is it ever fast... especially in airports.

And our southern friends are always welcome up here. Just make sure you can get back home when you're done! The perception, I think, is worse than the problem.

Jason

Re: Decline of GTR Attendance
 

With regard to customs inspections of bagged and tagged robots, although they weren't mentioned in the rules (and should have been), FIRST communicated to lead robot inspectors that this is acceptable, and doesn't even require a noncompliance form. (The noncompliance form would be your robot's ticket to play, if your team screwed up a bag and tag requirement. It's not fully explained in the rules either....)

As of 2010, the procedure is to seal the robot in the bag on the appropriate date, carry your extra zipties your log form with you, and if the customs officer asks to see inside, just log the opening and closing immediately before and after the customs inspection.

If it gets inspected by customs while bagged in the crate (in my unofficial opinion) you'd be fine if you provided the slip that customs attaches when they inspect something. (Otherwise, the noncompliance form isn't a huge deal, even if it wasn't your fault.)


With regard to bringing equipment across the border, when I was working with a University of Waterloo engineering student team, the Canada Border Services Agency advised us to prepare a detailed equipment manifest, present it at Canadian customs before crossing (for a stamp), and inform the American customs official that all items were for the purposes of an engineering competition, and were not being permanently imported into the country. Upon returning to Canada, we presented the stamped manifest, and Canada customs approved all of the equipment for re-entry. I imagine that a similar procedure is possible for Americans coming to Canada.

(The previous year, we were advised by the University's finance department to obtain temporary importation bonds, which require special approval at both border crossings, and a bunch of complicated paperwork. The TIB procedure advised us to use the truck lanes at land crossings, and have our documents approved on entry and exit by both Canadian and U.S. officials. That procedure was a royal pain, and involved much waiting in lines. And according to CBSA, this wasn't necessary for our purposes—so there's a lesson for us all: just talk with the government directly to get the real procedure.)

Re: Decline of GTR Attendance
 

Thanks for that information. I've never even seen a bagged robot - we haven't attended a B&T event yet - but it seems like a good idea and a way to reduce shipping costs.

It seemed like common sense that there would be a simple way to account for customs inspections and still preserve the integrity of the bagging process. I'm glad it's there.

It looks to me like B&T is the way of the future and I think we'll see more of it. I'm sure the details in the rules will be spelled out more precisely as time goes on.

Re: Decline of GTR Attendance
 

If you are at Champs Wednesday night, the teams that were at GTR will be in their crates in bags and will have to be checked by the inspectors before opening them. Stop by one of their pits and you can see the bags and seals. Our team is in Galileo and will bet there by 6 to get in.

Re: Decline of GTR Attendance
 

As will we, 1075, Curie.