2008 Connecticut Regional

[Mark McLeod]

It was, in a FIRST Email Blast

Be seein' you guys real soon now

[AcesPease]

We have over 80 people on our "roster" I hope there will be lots of room in the stands.

[smurfgirl]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

It was, in a FIRST Email Blast

Be seein' you guys real soon now

Thanks for pointing me to the exact update, and thanks to everyone else who clued me in. I guess I missed that update, even with the searching around I've done.

[KathieK]

Please check out the updated info that we've posted within the last week or so at the event website: www.ctfirst.org/frc_events - Welcome Packet page. Pay special attention to the load-in instructions!

See you all next week!

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by AcesPease

We have over 80 people on our "roster" I hope there will be lots of room in the stands.

We are bringing about 70 ourselves.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by KathieK

Pay special attention to the load-in instructions!

It sounds like our heavy stuff, such as the robot cart and tools, need to come in the loading dock.

We have a problem being from out of town and without personal vehicles to drive around the complex and up that long ramp to the loading dock area.

Any local teams with a pickup truck able to help us get our stuff around back?

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

It sounds like our heavy stuff, such as the robot cart and tools, need to come in the loading dock.

We have a problem being from out of town and without personal vehicles to drive around the complex and up that long ramp to the loading dock area.

Any local teams with a pickup truck able to help us get our stuff around back?

The venue has always had this policy. All heavy things come through the loading dock area. NOT through the escalators, please! Note ONE pass and ONE vehicle per team - and lots of teams all arriving at the same time. Gracious Professionalism will certainly come into play this week!

[Mark McLeod]

I remember the first year was a surprise to everyone, but we talked facility management into letting us take a coach bus up and around.
This year we may have to do without a cart, bring in one screwdriver at a time.

Friday we'll have some personal cars as people come after work. Can we get a loading pass for Friday?
And is it one time through the gate only, or are multiple trips allowed?

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by AcesPease

I hope there will be lots of room in the stands.

This seems to be a real valid concern this year.

I was recruited to help set up the field Wednesday evening, and I also plan on seeing what the seating layout is going to be.

If I get approval from the powers that be from the Regional Planning Committee, (which I'm sure won't be a problem) I'll upload and post a picture or a few pics of the venue and the seating arrangements on Wednesday night when I get back home so everyone knows what to expect when they get there on Thursday morning.

In any case, remember your GP when dealing with seating this year folks as I'm sure it'll be a little crowded whatever the arrangement may be!

Until Wednesday night... Stay tuned!

[AcesPease]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

I remember the first year was a surprise to everyone, but we talked facility management into letting us take a coach bus up and around.
This year we may have to do without a cart, bring in one screwdriver at a time.

Friday we'll have some personal cars as people come after work. Can we get a loading pass for Friday?
And is it one time through the gate only, or are multiple trips allowed?

Mark, does your cart or tool box weigh more than 200lbs? There is an elevator for handicapped access. Moderate sized tool boxes and carts should be able to load that way.

[Mark McLeod]

Originally Posted by AcesPease

Mark, does your cart or tool box weigh more than 200lbs? There is an elevator for handicapped access. Moderate sized tool boxes and carts should be able to load that way.

Nothing is extra heavy or oversized. The heaviest thing is the 80 lbs of batteries and the cart (a hand truck with a small wooden superstructure) probably weighs 50 lbs.
We have to decide about bringing or not bringing a portable drill press.

We're packing tomorrow night and instead of organizing we'll probably disorganize and distribute tools and materials among the students to hand carry into the building.
I imagine some tools and spare parts will remain lost for the entire trip.

But I'd think the policing at the door will be to reject any cart or hand truck and send them around back. I think the Convention Center management was stressed out by how much stuff we all wheeled through the doors that first year. The rule is wishy-washy on the restrictions and leaves it up to the personal discretion of whoever happens to be at the door Thursday morning. --Wishy-washy to an engineer who wants to see a spec. for under 200 lbs and under 38" x 28" x 5' in size.

I'd prefer to know ahead of time to leave the cart at the hotel, and the drill press at home. There are always surprises, and having to be in three places at once handling them all is the stressful part.

[Michael Sperber]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

But I'd think the policing at the door will be to reject any cart or hand truck and send them around back. I think the Convention Center management was stressed out by how much stuff we all wheeled through the doors that first year. The rule is wishy-washy on the restrictions and leaves it up to the personal discretion of whoever happens to be at the door Thursday morning. --Wishy-washy to an engineer who wants to see a spec. for under 200 lbs and under 38" x 28" x 5' in size.

We understand that the restriction is a little vague, and to be honest, that was done intentionally. Putting a true specification together to address every type of cart, wheel, and method of moving supplies, would be nearly impossible. The basic concern is that as guests at the Convention Center, we do not do any damage to the venue. (Any damage that is done, will have to be paid for by the Regional.)

[Mark McLeod]

Let me rephrase this, since final determination can obviously only be made when you see what it is I actually bring (we'll leave the Ben Hur chariot cart with the spiked wheels at home this time, I promise).

Am I likely to be allowed to bring something in if one person can carry it in instead of wheeling it, and it isn't as bulky as a trackball? I promise to take the stairs rather than the escalator too.

I imagine part of the venue damage problem is carts that are piled high and heavy with boxes, long poles, really bulky items that could knock people off the escalator, crates, anything that could potentially damage the carpet, doors, walls, or poke someone's eye out.

[Simon Strauss]

Can someone direct me to where i can find these regulations about transportation of equipment to the CT regional.


Thanks
-Simon

[AcesPease]

Originally Posted by Simon Strauss

Can someone direct me to where i can find these regulations about transportation of equipment to the CT regional.


Thanks
-Simon

Ct Regional Information can be found here