Hmmm, well isn't that a contradiction. I guess I stand corrected. However, our crate is plywood and will stay that way to be safe. I have also seen a contradiction on shipping vs. bringing batteries to the competition. The rules clearly state that the crate must include the robot and the two batteries in the 2006 KoP but one of the questions on the Q&A seems to allow teams to not ship the batteries with the robot and just bring them with them.
6.3.5 Required Crate Contents
Teams
must include the robot and the two batteries. Carefully and completely follow all instructions above listed in the “Battery Packaging“ section...
Q) Bringing batteries to events with the teams?
Will teams be permitted to bring the 12V batteries with them to events, as opposed to shipping them in the crate, as was done last season?
A) Yes, but be aware of shipping requirements on airlines.
http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=284
Sometimes, I dunno what to believe!