[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by jvriezen

Whether it should be the same everywhere or not is a separate issue-- it currently is not. Currently, lead volunteers do determine pit hours, because they are not specified in the rules. They also determine team pit size, rules about bringing in outside food (often venue enforced), how far in advance to call teams for queuing (pulling them from the pit), quantity/size/quality/hours of practice field, etc. There are lots of things that differ from event to event.


The inspection team does determine that a robot needs working time when it hasn't passed inspection. That was the only 'exception' I suggested to otherwise equal pit time for all teams at the event.

My main objection is the notion that it is ok to defy the event volunteers when they say the pit is closed due to your interpretation of the rules, which I've noted is not the only possible interpretation. You can politely try to convince them it should not be because the rules may seem to indicate so, but if they don't agree, then the pits are indeed closed. Your interpretation of the rules is not the one that really matters here. Defying the lead volunteer and insisting on staying in the pit is not gracious professionalism.

I'd suggest that at your next event, you find the decision maker volunteer well in advance of ceremonies, plead your case with rules in hand, and then accept the decision made and optionally express your concerns with the appropriate higher level authority if you disagree.

I'm not sure if you meant your remarks to be hostel, but unless you have personally seen Brandon defying a lead volunteer you may want to be very careful with the way you word your statements. Brandon in fact does run events as he has stated in this thread and I don't believe I have actually met him but from everything I have seen on these forms and heard he is pretty good model of gracious professionalism. His statements never said anything about people defying volunteers, he was just suggesting a rule change like many have done this thread. The goal should always be improvement of the system.