[JamesBrown]

OK first of all I enjoyed every thing about championships, my only regret is not being able to attend opening ceremonies either day, I suppose that comes with being on the Pit Crew and Drive team.

While I understand many teams frustrations with the 10 foot pit rule I believe the best solution may be to do something like team ** did, they have columns (about 7 or 8 ft tall) that allow them to display anything they want and not run into problems of having a low ceiling. I would be tempted to guess that the 10 ft rule was at least suggested by FIRSTs insurance company as well as the UL safety advisor's.

The thing that is really striking a nerve in this thread is the comments about the homeless. I will definitely not give out bad rep because of comments about it but I would like to say that I am offended.

I have spent nearly all of my life in or around good size cities (Boston and Providence) and have seen my fair share of homeless people. I understand that there are thousands of people who have grown up in smaller towns and cities and haven't grown accustomed to such things. I must say that many of the post on this topic have been very narrow minded. A hobo round up as one person called it would not only be ridiculous but illegal and unconstitutional, to suggest such a thing in my eyes demonstrates extreme narrow mindedness, something that I believe FIRST is trying to do away with. These people maybe homeless but they all live in Atlanta, we are visiting where they live and you need to respect that. If a person asks you for money simply say sorry I can't help you and continue walking, 99% of the time they will not bother you any more. In this case they have caused you no more in convenience that if I had asked you for the time. I would venture to guess that the majority of people on this forum would be more than willing to stop and take a picture for members of another team. This takes more time and is more of an inconvenience than simply telling a homeless person you can't give them any thing.

To take this one step further them asking you for money is no different than when some one like you stops someone like Dean or Woody or any of your favorite celebrities and asking for an autograph. (OR asking Andy for a t-shirt) these people have something you want and you have something other people want. In the future try to be open minded and don't feel superior to others until you know there story, they are not hurting you, why would any one care to suggest hurting or hindering them.

(note any negative perspective one this please take it up in my pm box rather than this thread or my rep, I would be more than happy to discuss my opinions on anything with any one.)

James