About being overweight and exceeding your size requirements – the need for reinspecti

[meaubry]

Where do I start - hmmm, lets see -
Inspectors have a very difficult job, and it is compounded by time constraints associated with the way the competition is managed. Thursday is suppose to be practice day and teams are suppose to get through the inspection process before the competition seeding matches begin on Friday, or they are not suppose to be able to participate.
Teams are expected to meeting ALL of the build rules - that is very, very difficult to do for some teams before "the bot goes in the box".
Regardless of the time constraints, the getting ready and making the robot function, I think the expectation is that ALL of the rules are suppose to be met by all participants. I think that there were more than just weight and size concerns
Editorial side note - 1 oz over weight, 1/8 inch outside of the box, ball launchers not covered properly, sharp edges on frames that rip bumper covers from one end to the other. Are all violations looked at with a different measuring stick?? We shouldn't close a blind eye to just one or two - why have the rules if they are subject to opinions instead of consistent validation techniques?

Okay - so now the reality / humanity of the situation comes into play.
Team XX is in trouble right outta the crate - the robots isn't completed yet or its 30 lbs over weight. The team is working off a shoestring budget, have few students and mentors, and they are lucky to even just scrap up enough to show up. They bring very limited tools and even less material. They knew some of the rules but not all of them - they need help.

The inspectors are busy looking around to see "who is in trouble??" - word is quietly passed.
Teams showing GP offer much help and assistance - some ask for help some are asked if they need help.
Thursday practice day passes and some teams don't get a passing grade. They are on the the Friday "hot sheet" - some get conditional passes and are told to fix this or that before competing.
Inspectors run around trying to make sure those with conditional or have not passed inspection DO NOT compete in matches.

Possible process improvements that could be considered -
1) Thursday after lunch or a designated time 2:30pm? - NON-Passed robots list provided to Head Ref. - No practice allowed for robots that have not passed inspection
2) Friday morning - Hot sheet listing all non-passed robots provided to Head Ref. or designee and its used to assure teams that have not passed cannot participate
3) Qualify points for non-passed robots that miss their match should be 0 regardless if they were on the winning alliance and their record should not include wins, losses or ties - if they do not participate in the match.
4) All conditional passes should be approved prior to participation by all teams participating at the event - Conditional approved robot list shared at Drivers meeting and vote by show of hands - thus eliminating any discussion of preferential treatment - lets put GP to a real test.