From what I can tell, the whole loading dock issue is due to FIRST's struggles with Insurance. Of course, as you state, I really dont understand how people carrying heavy items down steps is less of a liability than having teams back up to a loading dock... but I dont have a degree in law.
I will complement the Boston regional for doing exactly as you said (sanddrag) and roping off the first row of seats so that people could walk around. Of course it was held in an ice rink, so that didnt help when you were in the middle section and had to get to a side section... you still had to go all the way up and back down, but at least it was a start.
And another comment on the whole loading dock issue... at FLR, they opened the large back door, and told us we could load out of it. Halfway through loading, I was about to walk out to see what else we could fit when a security guy grabbed me literally by the back of my sweatshirt and yanked me backwards so that another guy could close the door and we could no longer use it. Not only was that rude, it was dangerous and unnecessary, I wasnt talking on a cell phone and I didnt have earplugs in, they could have just said something!
But again, I have to compliment the Boston regional here. Their Arena Security was incredibly helpful and friendly... would come out and tell us we could wait there and they would let us in at 8, were polite and not at all rude. So if you want friendly staff, go check out Boston next year!
