Quote:
Originally Posted by EricH
Currently, any given regional event can get by with 3-4 inspectors on hand for load-in--one cruises the pits, 2-3 check in teams outside/at the entrance, rotate out every now and again. Maybe a couple extra, one in each area, at bigger regionals (or if there's a special case like somebody shipped a robot, an inspector will be hanging out with or around that team while they uncrate). The job of whoever's in the pits is, currently, make sure that setup isn't happening and robot work isn't happening (and, to some extent, act as a walking quick-reference for schedule). When you add in multiple teams setting up (which tends to block views across the pits for some reason--even at L.A., it's pretty easy to see across the pits right after load-in if there isn't setup), it can get a little more interesting to observe and enforce, because now the inspectors actually have to enforce setup rules rather than just blocking setup. A couple of extra inspectors cruising the pits can help with keeping an eye on teams.
My proposal on the setup rules would be: no more than 5 persons (minimum one mentor) inside the venue at any one time per team; set up anything you like within your pit, including the battery chargers; any setup that is unsafe to perform with 5 or fewer persons for whatever reason (I can't think of any, but I'm sure there's something out there somewhere) will result in the team being told to wait on that; and teams that aren't out by some reasonable time after the doors close (5 minutes or so--gotta let the buzzer-beaters drop their gear off) suffer some minor penalty like having to finish in the morning after general opening (not during the morning load-in). Basically, use your noggin, get out on time, and don't crowd the pits.
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I guess a way some venues could keep volunteers required low but allow set up could work. If the venue has enough space, you can require teams keep their bagged robots in some kind of neutral holding area until they are done setting up. As soon as you are done setting up, an RI at the holding area checks your form, escorts a team member and the robot to the pit, and escorts that team member back out.
I was unaware that a chief concern of FIRST would be strictly enforcing something that would be well self policed in the community (teams watching teams not unbagging on Wednesday nights) and while I will fail coming off sore here, they consider the idea of community self policing to be sufficient when it comes to the self proclaimed highest honor in FIRST.
I definitely like these moves, but on the whole barrier to access being a level of enforcement ¯\_(ツ)_/¯