[JesseK]

I haven't yet heard of a team trying to balance on the bridge in autonomous (for the 15 point bonus), yet I also tend to think that if either side of the bridge touches the ground then the points will not be awarded (regardless of what causes the bridge to touch the ground). This is more than likely due to the nature of a noisy unpredictable autonomous environment.

Typically, getting in the way of a bridge coming down during autonomous is a bad thing. If the bridge is stuck horizontally because a robot is under it or holding it in place, then there's a chance that an opposing robot will drive on top of the robot under the bridge. More commonly, the first team to reach the bridge will be on the bridge while the second team to reach the bridge will drive under it or run into it.

Such scenarios will probably be common in Atlanta Finals when every alliance member has a good autonomous. Really, that's what I'm waiting for video of this year ... the rest is all good, but won't be nearly as tragic, (shamefully) entertaining, or sympathy-invoking.