Build Season Extensions

[JohnFogarty]

That has never happened. The only thing I recall HQ doing was increasing the withheld weight allowance.

The south-east has had a warmer winter this year. Our only snow this year came back in November. Keep in mind that snow in the south east is often times more catastrophic for southern cities because most don't have the infrastructure in place to deal with it at all.

[Jon Stratis]

By this point last year, we had missed at least as many days from the cold... In fact, I think the first 3 days of build were missed! No extension on the build season. This year, we haven't missed any days (in fact, we had a ridiculously warm January, with pretty much no snow).

Delays and unplanned missed time is, unfortunately, a reality in engineering projects. Teams (not just FIRST teams, but professional teams as well) should always plan ahead, include a sizeable buffer in their efforts, and ensure that even with unplanned delays they can deliver on time.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Joe G.

The only time build has ever been extended was by a matter of hours, and it was due to a storm on ship day, which prevented fedex from doing their thing back in the day when we all crated up and shipped our robots to every regional. It last happened over a decade ago.

Originally Posted by JohnFogarty

That has never happened. The only thing I recall HQ doing was increasing the withheld weight allowance.

Be careful about speaking in absolutes, especially when you're incorrect. As Joe Ross pointed out that there is a precedent for extending the build season (2003 and 2004).

However, that was before the withholding allowance existed, and when teams had to actually crate and ship their robot away. Now it seems more plausible for other mechanisms to be used, if needed, to offset for time lost due to weather.

[JustbeingJFK]

I don't think FIRST is going to give us any extension. Last year, my team lost a whole week and we couldn't even go on bag and tag so I would just get everyone focused for the next two weeks so you can get something in the bag, but also don't forget about the 6 hours you can take the robot out the bag if you are in a district model.