Paper Airplanes

[Headphones]

As a rookie, how old is the tradition of throwing paper airplanes onto the Einstein field? I have seen several references to it dating back to 2003 or earlier.

The reason for my curiosity is that I was the person who scored a plane into the pyramid goal just before the Robowrangler's match. Pure luck, but quite awesome

[Bill_B]

It was the wrong color to score for the blue alliance.

[fb39ca4]

IDK, but I am already thinking of plans to make a rapid fire paper airplane launching robot for next time I go to St. Louis!

[connor.worley]

I remember seeing it in 2012 but not 2011.

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by connor.worley

I remember seeing it in 2012 but not 2011.

It was definitely there in 2011. I remember getting hit by one or two while waiting for Einstein to start.

[Michael Hill]

I remember it in 2004 in Atlanta

[moogboy]

Originally Posted by fb39ca4

IDK, but I am already thinking of plans to make a rapid fire paper airplane launching robot for next time I go to St. Louis!

Someone beat you to it! A couple days ago there was a Cracked article about Lego creations, one of which was a paper airplane folder and launcher.

[CENTURION]

I heard of it being around in 2011, and saw it in 2012 and (of course) 2013.

But I didn't see any paper airplanes flying in Atlanta in 2010. Then again, in The Georgia Dome, Einstein was on the long side of the arena (where it should be!), and all the teams were able to fit on the main stands and first balcony, so there was nobody up in the nosebleed seats.

[wilsonmw04]

The paper airplane thing was total embarrassment. Yeah, it was cute to see them fly onto the field and stage. Did you get to see the complete mess it made of the dome? There were paper airplanes covering the stands. It's a mess that someone else has to clean up. I feel sorry for the crew that had to come behind our students and clean the dome all for the sake of a quick laugh in between matches. I wonder what they think of FIRST after World? What does that say loudly about us?

[LeelandS]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

The paper airplane thing was total embarrassment. Yeah, it was cute to see them fly onto the field and stage. Did you get to see the complete mess it made of the dome? There were paper airplanes covering the stands. It's a mess that someone else has to clean up. I feel sorry for the crew that had to come behind our students and clean the dome all for the sake of a quick laugh in between matches. I wonder what they think of FIRST after World? What does that say loudly about us?

Seconded. The whole thing was childish. Clouds of paper airplanes flying through the air, hitting other spectators (it may just be paper, but that doesn't mean it's pleasant to get hit with), landing on the field, hitting FIRST personnel and guest speakers. I felt so much shame. I really hope this is gotten under control in the coming years. I only heard of it happening last year, and it should not be continued.

The poor custodial workers, having to pick up hundreds of paper airplanes.

[seg9585]

It was funny at first but should have ended by the time presentations and speakers were starting. I saw very large planes made out of cardboard (st Louis maps) that could have hurt people, and people were tearing up their Championship programs which is a shame.

Having said that, has anyone ever seen a remote controlled (electric) plane around in the dome at that time? It would seem like a fitting group to pull off that sort of stunt.

[Mike Marandola]

I was especially surprised that they didn't even address it on the PA system. I saw many planes still being thrown even during the final Einstein matches. If one had gotten onto the field it could have been a problem.

[bduddy]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

The paper airplane thing was total embarrassment. Yeah, it was cute to see them fly onto the field and stage. Did you get to see the complete mess it made of the dome? There were paper airplanes covering the stands. It's a mess that someone else has to clean up. I feel sorry for the crew that had to come behind our students and clean the dome all for the sake of a quick laugh in between matches. I wonder what they think of FIRST after World? What does that say loudly about us?

I think that they could be a cool tradition, if FIRST emphasizes picking up the ones left in the stands and not throwing them during matches and speeches. Right now their reaction more seems to be ignoring the paper airplanes and hoping they go away, which obviously isn't working...

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by bduddy

I think that they could be a cool idea, if FIRST emphasizes picking up the ones left in the stands and not throwing them during matches and speeches. Right now their reaction more seems to be ignoring the paper airplanes and hoping they go away, which obviously isn't working...

What's the easiest way to get a bunch of high school kids to want to do something... tell them they can't!

Here is last year's thread on the same subject

On the cleaning up part - those paper airplanes are jobs. Less cleaning may save some FIRST funds, but it's not a burden for the cleaners. It would be different if FIRST volunteers were required.