This Is Appalling Behavior At A FIRST Event

[Tom Line]

Dare I say that in this case, if we want a culture change, it's FIRST and more specifically FIRST HQ that needs the change?

If they were to change the manual and state very clearly that teams seen saving seats would not be in the running for the gracious professionalism award, that teams YELLING to make people move would be removed from the safety award, and that teams with lighted flashing noisemaking carts would not be allowed to bring them on the competition floor, I think the culture change would be complete by the end of 2013.

As FIRST members we're fighting a losing battle if the FIRST management is promoting some of these issues in the wrong manner.

Perhaps someone needs to be seriously hurt jumping out of the way of someone yelling 'robot' for FIRST to take notice, in the same manner that the FMS issues were brushed off until something catastrophic happened. Unfortunately that's generally the modus operandi of any overly large company. (Note: I would never wish anyone to get hurt.)