Update #16

[Ryan Dognaux]

I told a few other FIRSTers today about this update today and every single one of them had the same reaction - "are you kidding me?"

If this is a liability issue, then create another waiver for teams to sign saying that FIRST can't be sued in the event that an injury occurs from these 'mobile machine shops.'

But odds are it's a safety issue. And I fail to see how this is the most rational, well thought out conclusion. Essentially taking away the tools that teams need in a robotics competition is not going to sit well with teams.

Scoring system issues, crazy scheduling, and now this bombshell - this has been quite the first week. What's next, no power tools allowed in the pits at all? Aside from basic fixes, would teams have all work done by the regional machine shops? I don't like the direction this may be going. And if we all don't like where this is going, then FIRST will see that. They're not blind, they do recognize us and they do take note in these forums. People complained to FIRST, there was a huge fuss about the scheduling and it's being dealt with. Everyone attending week two regionals, talk to someone about this, or contact FIRST directly to let them know how you feel about it.