Paper Airplanes

[Libby K]

I think the airplane throwing needs to stop. I never remember it being a problem before 2011.

It's disrespectful to the arena staff since they have to pick them all up.
It's disrespectful to the field crew because they have to constantly be on alert for them hitting the field.
It's disrespectful to the VIPs and speakers because you're acting like pieces of paper are more important than they are.
It's disrespectful to each other - I saw more airplanes go into other sections of the stands than the dome floor. People probably got hit more than you think.
It's disrespectful to FIRST staff because you're ripping up the materials they worked very hard to give you (programs, maps, etc) and using them as, essentially, trash.

I'd like to share a horror story - and yeah, this is personal. Deal with it.

I was down on the floor, as I was speaking during the ceremony. So I got to see quite a few airplanes.

Now, I get ripping up your programs and making airplanes, because you clearly NEED to throw those airplanes since they're so VITALLY important to the mission of FIRST...
...but did you guys really have to use the page that was my father's tribute?

My father - Dean's older brother? He was a huge part of the FIRST community. He died this September, and the program page with his face and his story should have been at least somewhat respected and not used for that purpose. None of the things FIRST works so hard to create should have been, but that one is very personal to me. I was absolutely horrified.

Have some class. Airplanes need to stop.
It's disrespectful, it's annoying, and it's all the things FIRST and its community don't need to be.

[EricLeifermann]

Originally Posted by Libby K

I think the airplane throwing needs to stop. I never remember it being a problem before 2011.


It's disrespectful to the VIPs and speakers because you're acting like pieces of paper are more important than they are.

I'm only commenting on this part of your post because its the only one that I think is incorrect as lots of VIPs in the VIP/Hospitality suite were making planes and throwing them, as well as the red PTC frisbees.

I'm not saying that you are wrong in any of your feelings/thoughts but the VIPs in the suite didn't seem to be feeling disrespected.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by EricLeifermann

I'm only commenting on this part of your post because its the only one that I think is incorrect as lots of VIPs in the VIP/Hospitality suite were making planes and throwing them, as well as the red PTC frisbees.

I'm not saying that you are wrong in any of your feelings/thoughts but the VIPs in the suite didn't seem to be feeling disrespected.

Talking about the VIPs on the floor.

[LeelandS]

Originally Posted by EricLeifermann

I'm only commenting on this part of your post because its the only one that I think is incorrect as lots of VIPs in the VIP/Hospitality suite were making planes and throwing them, as well as the red PTC frisbees.

I'm not saying that you are wrong in any of your feelings/thoughts but the VIPs in the suite didn't seem to be feeling disrespected.

So what about the guest speakers from major FIRST sponsors who were giving speeches and helping present awards? The VIPs in the suites are one thing. The VIPs on stage are representatives of their companies. Do you think they felt respected having pieces of paper tossed at and around them? While they were up there, on stage, recognizing the work we do and acknowledging FIRST as a whole. Were they adequately respected?

I don't think so.

On a side note to Libby, I am so sorry your family and your father's legacy were disrespected like that. The Bart Kamen memorial sticker is proudly represented on our robot, as it is for many teams.

[JesseK]

I don't remember mass paper airplanes prior to 2011, and I've been to champs every year since 2007.

Let me preface this by stating that we really do need to get rid of the airplanes. It shows an utter disrespect to people we really appreciate.

The reality is, the airplane issue is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, many people disrespected the speakers and people on the floor by throwing things at them. On the other hand, the excitement of Einstein and Closing Ceremonies was totally annihilated by the fact that the whole process took four hours. For many people who showed up earlier than 3pm to get good seats, it was 5+ hours.

I was down in the lower stands, section 130. I concur that the airplane throwing needs to be addressed. However, the length and boredom of Closing Ceremonies is the root cause (not starting on time, going much longer than expected). Many FLL events bring in the drama club to keep the kids entertained for 30-45 minutes while the judging process wraps up. Along the same lines, FIRST could do something for Closing Ceremonies. Perhaps in keeping with the "Make it Loud" theme, a small entertainment event could start at 3pm on Saturday.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I don't remember mass paper airplanes prior to 2011, and I've been to champs every year since 2007.

The reality is, the airplane issue is a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, many people disrespected the speakers and people on the floor by throwing things at them. On the other hand, the excitement of Einstein and Closing Ceremonies was totally annihilated by the fact that the whole process took four hours. For many people who showed up earlier than 3pm to get good seats, it was 5+ hours.

I was down in the lower stands, section 130. I concur that the airplane throwing needs to be addressed (in the very least, no more sharp edges!). However, the length and boredom of Closing Ceremonies is the root cause (not starting on time, going much longer than expected). Many FLL events bring in the drama club to keep the kids entertained for 30-45 minutes while the judging process wraps up. Along the same lines, FIRST could do something for Closing Ceremonies. Perhaps in keeping with the "Make it Loud" theme, a small entertainment event could start at 3pm on Saturday.

They could do a lot to alleviate the problem if they'd just do the following:

1) Give Dean Kamen a reasonable time limit for his speech, and make him stick to it.
2) Consolidate the giving of awards into a single ceremony, as is done for every regional competition I've ever been to and which I've never heard anyone complain about before. The awards-between-every-match system was horrid.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by Oblarg

They could do a lot to alleviate the problem if they'd just do the following:

1) Give Dean Kamen a reasonable time limit for his speech, and make him stick to it.
2) Consolidate the giving of awards into a single ceremony, as is done for every regional competition I've ever been to and which I've never heard anyone complain about before. The awards-between-every-match system was horrid.

1.You be the one to tell Mr. Kamen to limit the time of his speech. He started this event. He deserves as much time as he wants to get his point across. It our job to be a good audience.

2. The awards in between worked well. They took up the dead time between resets. If they hadn't done this it would have been even longer.

It's time for a bit of positive peer pressure next year. It's time to stop the planes before they start.

[Oblarg]

Originally Posted by wilsonmw04

1.You be the one to tell Mr. Kamen to limit the time of his speech. He started this event. He deserves as much time as he wants to get his point across. It our job to be a good audience.

That he is responsible for the event does not mean he is faultless - I respect the man greatly (how could I not, given what FRC has done for me?), but to not give frank criticism of his tendency towards over-long speech-making (to put it very lightly would verge on dishonesty. I don't think anyone who attended that event can say with a straight face that his speech during closing ceremonies was appropriately-lengthed.

2. The awards in between worked well. They took up the dead time between resets. If they hadn't done this it would have been even longer.

The total duration may have been longer, but the flow of the event would have been vastly improved. It killed the momentum and felt tedious.

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Wayne Doenges

Also, I saw another thing being thrown form the upper arena. I don't know what it was but it was lit with led's and seemed to have some mass to it. What were they and why would you think it was cool to throw it into the crowd?

Somebody threw a frisbee from the stands during one of the speeches that landed next to our Einstein pit. That was bloody terrifying. It seemed to be an isolated incident, but I tucked everyone behind our pit carts for the duration anyway. Seriously, people, a frisbee?

[Koko Ed]

Someone was also flashing laser pointers down on the field. Me and Tom Nader were trying to see if we could spot the idiot.

[sarah_storer]

After reading the post from Libby and the post about the VIP getting hit in the eye, I am disgusted about how the other FIRST kids acted during Einstein.

However, I think that a compromise WOULD work. Consolidating the airplane throwing to certain times and giving a different goal each year would be fun and COULD actually become a constructive tradition.
A competition to see who could recycle the most airplanes by division would be VERY helpful as well. [And maybe even fun!]

But really guys? Throwing the airplanes during the speeches and matches? Have some respect.

[fb39ca4]

I am sorry to say that I threw some airplanes Satrday afternoon, and after reading about the other side of the story, I will not do it again next year. I apologize for anyone I may have hit and the mess that I contributed to.

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Someone was also flashing laser pointers down on the field. Me and Tom Nader were trying to see if we could spot the idiot.

I saw the green ones pointing up on the ceiling from the seats on the floor, is that what you are talking about? I thought those were neat how they were moving in time with the music, but yes, I can see why shining them towards the field is bad.

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by fb39ca4

I saw the green ones pointing up on the ceiling from the seats on the floor, is that what you are talking about? I thought those were neat how they were moving in time with the music, but yes, I can see why shining them towards the field is bad.

There were two green ones, and I'm fairly certain they were hand held lasers, of probably a Class III nature. Not only would it be a fairly un-provable distraction in the biggest match of your life, but that could hurt! (Side note: If someone can direct me to a Class I green laser, I'd very much love having one.)

[Andy Grady]

Personal opinion here, but I think it's highly disrespectful that this airplane throwing has reached this point.

It was cute at first, but once the ceremonies start there should be none. It even disapponted me further when I saw mentors doing it too, during a speech.

I won't even get into the danger of eye injury, that should be common sense.

This one is on us, not FIRST. Think about the safety and the message it sends, and lets fix it.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by fb39ca4

I am sorry to say that I threw some airplanes Satrday afternoon, and after reading about the other side of the story, I will not do it again next year. I apologize for anyone I may have hit and the mess that I contributed to.



I saw the green ones pointing up on the ceiling from the seats on the floor, is that what you are talking about? I thought those were neat how they were moving in time with the music, but yes, I can see why shining them towards the field is bad.

Someone had a red one too and was flashing it on the floor.