Any Atlanta First Time Traveler Tips you want to Share?

[Chris_Elston]

Well this year we are going to Atlanta for the first time, and I am going to try and get our team there in a safe manor.

(PS: I didn't really find any other post on CD about this) Has there been any?

Anyway, while packing the crate at Boiler Maker Regional, Andy Baker stopped by with the Baker Girls, and gave a few tips in some chit-chat. These tips are what I was looking for.

Here was some of his tips, I'd love to hear more if some of you that have been to Atlanta could post some more.

Andy Baker Tips:

1. This is your first time to Atlanta? Alot of teams won't know you, find a way to market yourself. (I can understand that, we only know the teams from the surrounding Indiana area.)

2. Scouting is very hard, be prepared and plan ahead.

3. Walking to the PITs is a long walk. (How long is the walk? Does someone have a playing field layout PDF from last year or something?)

4. Find something fun to do with your team on Friday night, like we took our team to a game. (Is there any planned events at Atlanta? The Team Social link is not active at usfirst website)

We are taking a bus, when and where will I get information about bus unloading and logistics? I guess I am kind of spoiled with Boiler Maker having a GREAT website and Amy Przybylinski from 45 sending out AWESOME e-maills weeks before BMR letting us all know exactly where we can park and not park, how to unload our teams, equipment and bus parking etc... Where is all the information like that? Does it come active here:

http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...ts.aspx?id=430
or here:
http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc...432&menu_id=80

when the time gets closer?

[whytheheckme]

I am interested in the response to this post. We are rookies, going to Atlanta, but by plane... We have many similar questions..

Jacob

[triggerhappy336]

Rookie team going by train. Some other surronding teams are coming by next saturday and giving us some pointers. Ill post them if they aren't already by then.

[IndySam]

I am very disappointed at the lack of info provided by FIRST about Atlanta. We didn’t even know until yesterday when we went to ship our crate that shipping to and from the championship is covered by FedEx for winning teams.

I got some good answers here..

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=55713

Don’t know what we would do without the Chief Delphi community.

[Bongle]

There was a thread last week about this, though I can understand not finding it.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...a+first+tim e

[Chris_Elston]

Wow...I just saw the "walk video" from the PITs to the Field...agh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSjKVDgnWwY

I have a question about the robot uncrate. At this time, there is no way we can make it on Wednesday night to uncrate out robot. Can we uncrate our robot on Thursday? Morning and setup our pits?

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Chris_Elston

Wow...I just saw the "walk video" from the PITs to the Field...agh!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSjKVDgnWwY

I have a question about the robot uncrate. At this time, there is no way we can make it on Wednesday night to uncrate out robot. Can we uncrate our robot on Thursday? Morning and setup our pits?

You think that was bad? You should've seen Houston....

[Alex Cormier]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

You think that was bad? You should've seen Houston....

oh that was horrible because of our cart. it had the crappy plastic wheel slike on office chairs, and was very low. ahh, those good ol days.

[Ryan Albright]

If you are not in walking distance to the dome and you have to take the Marta, make sure to leave early. I rememeber when we took it in the morning it was rush hour and you were literally fighting for seats, and some of the Atlanta people werent very nice. Especially to a bunch of teenagers dressed in "wierd" clothing. Also be careful riding it after dark, bad experience.

[Jeff Pahl]

Originally Posted by Chris_Elston

I have a question about the robot uncrate. At this time, there is no way we can make it on Wednesday night to uncrate out robot. Can we uncrate our robot on Thursday? Morning and setup our pits?

We uncrated and set up on Thursday morning last year with no problem. However, be aware that the unloading zone is pretty crazy on Thursday morning. Plan on sending in a couple of people to uncrate who don't have to carry anything through the mass of people.

[JaneYoung]

You are going to receive a lot of helpful information when folks wake up from naps after working this weekend at different regionals as volunteers, participants, & FIRSTers. (KathieK and Robomom come to mind)
The one thing I would highly recommend above all else is to pack your patience and your humor for the first day and the last day and everything in between.

To all the teams that are traveling to Atlanta for the first time, it is a time of wonder and celebration. A time of recognition and achievement. A global community comes together and celebrates FIRST. Take your camera.

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

You are going to receive a lot of helpful information when folks wake up from naps after working this weekend at different regionals as volunteers, participants, & FIRSTers. (KathieK and Robomom come to mind)

Spent most of the afternoon in bed. Ugh. Hope I didn't catch the FIRST flu. will write more probably in the AM. 1 quick tip if you just won and find yourselves going and need to earn quick funding - write a press release NOW and get it out to every media contact in your area tonight or first thing in the morning. It will help.

[Mr.D]

I am considering options between flying or travelling by charter coach
(12 hour drive).
1.Advance team leaving on Wednesday and everyone else on Thursday by bus and returning Saturday night OR
2. Everyone traveling on Wednesday by bus and returning Saturday night OR
3. Flying the advance team on Wednesday and flying everyone else on Thursday OR
4. Everyone flying on Wednesday and returning Saturday night.

Any thoughts/comments from personal experiences would be appreciated.

[Conor Ryan]

• Be prepared for a lot of fun, those who don't like to have fun should be advised.
• Check the forecasts before getting down there, shorts and sunscreen maybe needed.
• When you get there, ask the concierge where to eat, and book times for dinner for your team, everywhere downtown tends to be filled up with teams Thursday-Saturday night.
• My best estimate on the pit to field walk is 1/4 mile each way, either way it gets exhausting between hauling a robot and other tools, make sure your cart can handle it.
• Have your scouters look for a minimal amount of data on the field, the load is intense, make sure you know how to file it and access your data later.
• The last 2 years I believe a program called Sundial was running in the pit, bring a computer with a wireless card to access the network that'll tell you when you should leave for a match
• If your not within walking distance of the venue make sure your within easy access to it, most people take the subway or walk to the competition every day.
• Get passes to the conferences, they are awesome! (especially when you find one you like)

[KathieK]

What's your budget? That may largely determine how you travel since it's late to purchase airline tickets now.
Can people get out of school/work to accomodate a bus trip (it's a two day trip for me so we're leaving here on Tuesday to drive down so I can volunteer down there - so it means two extra vacation days from work vs. flying down but I can't afford to fly).
Will you have to have a layover? It was a 12 hour trip from Hartford to Atlanta via Chicago if you consider layover time, plus time to travel to the airport and arrive early so the whole group can check in together, plus the transportation from the Atlanta airport to the hotel... and if you get stuck due to bad weather, it could take even longer.
Will you have to stay overnight in a hotel on the way down/back if traveling by bus? Could add more expense to the trip.
Will you be attending the wrap party on Sat night? It's got it's flaws but I still enjoy it.