[FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: December 5, 2014

[sanddrag]

Chris Picone, you are my hero!

I submitted the following way back on August 7th but it was never responded to until now. You put the same idea in more detailed words. Thank you my friend.

I'm glad they've acted on my second paragraph. This is a positive change that is years overdue. Now, howabout the load-in issue? What do you say FIRST?

Originally Posted by me

Hello Frank,

My question is about three related issues at regional events: load-in, pit setup, and practice time. Currently, teams are permitted to load in equipment on the evening prior to practice day, but it traditionally has been a "drop it and leave" type of affair. The trouble is, come the morning of practice day, teams are then un-loading everything they placed within their pit boundaries the previous evening, into the aisles, in order set up their pit areas. It creates a crowded unsafe situation, and a lot of havoc, especially when teams are rushing to get inspected and make it onto the practice field. Why not let teams set up their pit areas on the evening of load-in?

And as the second part of my question, why is the official field closed and off limits on the evening of practice day, when teams need it the most, and the pit area is open until 8PM? Would it not make for better qualifying matches if every team was afforded ample practice or testing time (until say 7PM) on the real competition field? Current practice fields do not nearly meet the demand at most venues after scheduled official practice ends.

Thank you.