[DRH2o]

As we can all see in this thread there are some serious problems with the way inspections throughout all divisions of FIRST are done. We have been to two regionals and have been 1st through inspection at a week 1 event and in the first 10 at a week 3 event. During week 1 the inspection was very quick and not very thorough -- did not measure the perimeter at all (we are 1 inch small) and looked at the floor pick-up and said it was well within the 54" ( we are about 1/4" small corner to corner ). Other components were looked at and questions were asked to the students that they answered well. At the week 3 event the perimeter was measured with a 1/4" rope with knots tied at each end -- there were several of these ropes with inspectors. 54" was not measured at all. We were weighed at 9:00am and had to wait until noon for the inspector. We were the 3rd on their list. Other teams that were passed at the same week 1 event we were at had to make major changes week 3. They agreed the changes should be made, but were confused why they were not noticed week 1. Every year I see robots on the field with bumper covers dragging the carpet and other obvious violations while other well built robots are picked over as if to try to find something wrong. I am not complaining about the inspectors, rather the process. All of the inspectors are volunteers and are doing the best they can to help everyone get on the field. There needs to be clear guidelines that are available to everyone involved.

I was talking to a frustrated inspector this past week about the way they did inspections -- 65 teams were put into blocks of ~12 teams and 2 inspectors had a block. He suggested an "express line" for teams that had passed at a previous regional. There could be a central database that includes weight, size and photo. If these all match between events and inspection is done early ( indicating no time for changes ) then a quick recheck is done to allow inspectors to be free for more involved situations. This is not my idea, but I like it. What do other inspectors think?