2011 Team Update #2

[EricH]

I personally think it's an overreaction to a case that happened last year where a robot that didn't set wheels onto the field ranked in the top 8 for selections.

Personally, dishing out an automatic red card to any team that wasn't inspected would be enough. But to penalize partners...

I agree on the intent; the letter doesn't quite match the intent, though. I'd agree on the peer pressure: either you pressure them to pass inspection, or you pressure them to stay far, far away from the field until they do.


P.S. If you are thinking about volunteering to inspect, do it. When there are few inspectors at an event, inspection takes forever and some teams may miss a match through no fault of their own. I think the AZ backlog last year cleared around opening ceremonies, after having an extra half-hour the night before with more inspectors to clear the line. There were still a couple of teams who had had major issues clearing by lunchtime, but that's "almost normal", and the issues were becoming more minor.

[Fletch1373]

Originally Posted by EricH

P.S. If you are thinking about volunteering to inspect, do it. When there are few inspectors at an event, inspection takes forever and some teams may miss a match through no fault of their own. I think the AZ backlog last year cleared around opening ceremonies, after having an extra half-hour the night before with more inspectors to clear the line. There were still a couple of teams who had had major issues clearing by lunchtime, but that's "almost normal", and the issues were becoming more minor.

Having been an inspector for the last 2 years(2009: CT, 2010: CT, WPI, BOS, CMP), I fully agree with you. Last year, I was asked if I was available for the Boston regional, while at WPI, because of a shortage they had. All worked out fine, but I could imagine how horribly things could've gone

[Rion Atkinson]

I'm sorry for this being so off topic, but what are the requirements for volunteering at a regional?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Formerly Famous

I'm sorry for this being so off topic, but what are the requirements for volunteering at a regional?

Pretty much it's be 18 or over (or parental consent) and fill out all the stuff on the FIRST website in VIMS (IIRC, it's experience, where you want to work, contact info, and that sort of thing). That should cover field reset, spare parts, and other "general purpose" spots, like field setup/teardown.

Refs and inspectors have to take a rules test and pass. Rookie inspectors will often pair with veterans for a while on Thursdays.

"Field operations lead" types have to do training at a common location.