This year was my first year on the floor. Before this year, I saw airplanes as a not very classy thing that FIRST did when it got bored. Now I see it as a dangerous practice that needs to stop. First, it distracts those on the floor. I know I was surprised by multiple planes that were hits or near misses while on the floor. How can the drivers, coaches, and refs staff wholly focused on the match while getting pelted by trash? Second, they are dangerous to those on the floor. Several of my team members were hit in the head, neck, hair and shoulder areas with planes. Someone was ever hit with a paper "throwing star." It was apparent that the goal of some was just to try and hit someone on the floor with something. Thankfully, we were all wearing safety glasses.
These planes are not made from notebook paper. They are made from the heavy glossy stock of the pamphlets and guidebooks. it is not a trivial thing to be hit by them.
FIRST, Please, stop throwing airplanes.