Event Waitlist and Capacity Transparency

[caboosev11]

Being wait listed most of the time means you probably won't get in. Teams do not usually pull out

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by caboosev11

Being wait listed most of the time means you probably won't get in. Teams do not usually pull out

That's now how the waitlist works, it's actually a reserve capacity.

All events this year have 15 spots reserved, that's what teams are waitlisted for.

[mgydesen02]

The problem we found last year is that by the time we found out we didn't have a slot at our 2nd regional, there were very few regionals available with open slots.

[wilsonmw04]

Originally Posted by mgydesen02

The problem we found last year is that by the time we found out we didn't have a slot at our 2nd regional, there were very few regionals available with open slots.

That's the chance we take sitting on a wait list. We traveled 8 hours last year because I didn't feel comfortable waiting on the list. The wait listed event was begging folks to fill their event right up to end. If I had known that, we would have sat on the list. Sometimes, you can't win for losing.

[Bryan Herbst]

Originally Posted by mgydesen02

The problem we found last year is that by the time we found out we didn't have a slot at our 2nd regional, there were very few regionals available with open slots.

I agree- that is a problem and I would love to see a better solution for communicating to teams whether or not it is likely they will get in off the waitlist. I just don't think that publishing the waitlist and/or trying to use a set algorithm is a good solution.

Right now the best solution is to contact the RD and ask. Maybe a better solution would be to have the RDs contact the teams with a simple "Hey, I saw you are on the waitlist for _____, but I know that 14 of the 15 reserved slots are already earmarked for other teams so you may want to consider trying another regional."

[PayneTrain]

In theory, there shouldn't be an issue with publishing the waitlist just like how they publish officially registered teams. That way you see a waitlist that
1) tells you how many teams are on the waitlist
2) what teams are on the waitlist
but it doesn't tell you when or in what order the team registered. We can still keep the implicit criteria and discretion of the RD, but I don't see why the data has to be behind a wall.

In reality, you would just need a few people who wouldn't understand that kind of process and get upset with FIRST for not explaining it to them properly.

[JB987]

FYI,
Our good friends from 1717 have decided once again to join us at LVR. Sometimes it's worth traveling extra miles for the opportunity to attend a great regional

Originally Posted by JB987

FYI,
Our good friends from 1717 have decided once again to join us at LVR. Sometimes it's worth traveling extra miles for the opportunity to attend a great regional

1717 has just registered for the Ventura regional. Do you know if they will still be attending LVR as a third?

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

1717 has just registered for the Ventura regional. Do you know if they will still be attending LVR as a third?

They're the same weekend

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

They're the same weekend

Ah. For some reason I was thinking LVR was week 6.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

1717 has just registered for the Ventura regional.

Can I get that secret registration link too? ....

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

Can I get that secret registration link too? ....

Have you spoke with the RD?

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Have you spoke with the RD?

Good Point Adam.
Perhaps FIRST should note to teams that if you need more info on the status of your pending registration at an event, talk to the RD.
We definitely talk to RD's prior to signing up for any event. I'm not so sure everyone knows that they are the best source of information about event capacity.

[Tungrus]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

Have you spoke with the RD?

When there is online registration system, there is no need to contact RD by phone or e-mail. It doesn't make sense! As teams are put on wait list just give them a number or something, so they can make decision.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Tungrus

When there is online registration system, there is no need to contact RD by phone or e-mail. It doesn't make sense! As teams are put on wait list just give them a number or something, so they can make decision.

When you're trying to make a decision, and the information is NOT AVAILABLE online, then you SHOULD contact the RD. Particularly when the list--and coming off of it--is mainly in the RD's hands.