[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

I don't see where in the rules it states that the pits MUST be open during ceremonies. The PIT hours are not stated in the rules. The volunteers running the event determine the PIT hours. Yes, if the pits do happen to be open during ceremonies, there are rules regarding tool noise and national anthems. But the rules also strongly encourage teams to attend the ceremonies, for very good reasons.

If a volunteer states that the pit is closed and instructs you to leave, then you need to respect that decision of the regional/district leadership. You may not agree, and you may state your position and appeal to a higher authority, but at that point in time, if Pit Admin or an inspector or other volunteer announces the pits are closed, then the pits are closed-- respect that.

Obviously this is my opinion, but I really feel like we're stretching to say that the rule outlined in the rule book is there 'just in case' the pits are open. The volunteers running the event SHOULD NOT determine pit hours. It should be the same everywhere.

To counter your second point, the reason anyone would even disagree with the pits being closed to begin with is because there is not a clear expectation for the team event to event. If the rules were the same everywhere, there would be much less disagreement.

Need of working time should not be determined by volunteers, period. Its a slippery slope and it counters the idea of everyone working on their robots for the same period of time (even if it's 'only half an hour').

-Brando