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[Kage]

Even when we have a snow day, some of my team still manage to make it to the shop...me included

[Steve W]

There are a great many teams that have hardships come their way. Snow is just snow. Teams have had to work on shorter deadlines in the past years. Why should this one be different?

In the real world a deadline is just that. Make it or else. Coming from the not so Great White North (this year) I have to ask what's the problem?

Wouldn't it be nice if we all lived in a perfect environment with all of the tools, material and help that we need with no deadlines? But then again, it wouldn't be FIRST!

[BobC]

I know it has happened in the past. Extensions that is. So go through the right channels and pray.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Kage

Even when we have a snow day, some of my team still manage to make it to the shop...me included

Some teams shops are in schools. When there is no school or schools close early or schools cancel after school activities that includes Robotics Teams. Which means shops are closed.

[Chris is me]

In my personal, biased by lack of snow opinion...

Don't waste your time trying to get an extension with such little build time left. Either FIRST will do it or they won't, but you've got too little time to be campaigning and worrying.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

In my personal, biased by lack of snow opinion...

Don't waste your time trying to get an extension with such little build time left. Either FIRST will do it or they won't, but you've got too little time to be campaigning and worrying.

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

Assuming teams own their robots and tools, it could maybe seem as simple as that.
Do all teams own their robots and tools? Do all teams pay for their robots and tools? It's easy to say what teams should and should not do. It's not so easy to actually be the teams that are dealing with a difficult situation and have to contend with what they can and cannot do.

Jane

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

The teams complaining about losing time should have thought of this last night or the day before and either put in even more hours during those days or moved their robots and tools they need to someone's garage. It is as simple as that.

I understand your simplistic perspective but your statement does seem a little harsh. Please consider that some of these teams were not aware of the consequences of a snow storm like this.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Vector MycroftH

I understand your simplistic perspective but your statement does seem a little harsh. Please consider that some of these teams were not aware of the consequences of a snow storm like this.

20+ inches of snow doesn't sound like a ton up north, but go down south and you have some major problems. I agree with Akash, teams should have been ready and even if they took a few items home or done extra stuff it should have been done. Yes, it is unfortunate that this is happening, but it isn't like 2 feet of snow just showed up outside. Sorry if it might seem harsh, but as was said earlier, life isn't perfect and if it was then that isn't FIRST.

I think you guys should all get your team shirts to say, "Got snow?".

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by BrendanB

20+ inches of snow doesn't sound like a ton up north, but go down south and you have some major problems. I agree with Akash, teams should have been ready and even if they took a few items home or done extra stuff it should have been done. Yes, it is unfortunate that this is happening, but it isn't like 2 feet of snow just showed up outside. Sorry if it might seem harsh, but as was said earlier, life isn't perfect and if it was then that isn't FIRST.

Agreed Brendan. It was not unplanned or uncalled for weather. It was also not news that these states would be inadequately prepared for weather like this because they do not budget for snowplows/salters and what have you.

It was not a harsh statement, it was more about questioning the logic of teams who sit idle when they know what is coming. The statement about not knowing the consequences of a snowstorm this late in the build is highly questionable.

Jane- teams who do not "own" the robots/tools still had time to plan things out with their school/sponsor. As I stated, this was not uncalled-for weather.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Agreed Brendan. It was not unplanned or uncalled for weather. It was also not news that these states would be inadequately prepared for weather like this because they do not budget for snowplows/salters and what have you.

It was not a harsh statement, it was more about questioning the logic of teams who sit idle when they know what is coming. The statement about not knowing the consequences of a snowstorm this late in the build is highly questionable.

Jane- teams who do not "own" the robots/tools still had time to plan things out with their school/sponsor. As I stated, this was not uncalled-for weather.

I think you missed Jane's post. Teams can't just decide to move tools and parts to someone's home. They may belong to the school. They may belong to a sponsor. They may not be able to do anything.

Still, this talk of an extension is silly. The only reason the extension was granted in 2003 was because FedEx was not going to be able to pick up crates on ship day. There's a difference between losing time 2 weeks before ship and an entire region being shut down for 2 days ON ship day.

[V_Chip]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Agreed Brendan. It was not unplanned or uncalled for weather. It was also not news that these states would be inadequately prepared for weather like this because they do not budget for snowplows/salters and what have you.

It was not a harsh statement, it was more about questioning the logic of teams who sit idle when they know what is coming. The statement about not knowing the consequences of a snowstorm this late in the build is highly questionable.

Jane- teams who do not "own" the robots/tools still had time to plan things out with their school/sponsor. As I stated, this was not uncalled-for weather.

Excuse my misinterpretation


I also agree with other posts on this thread:

that the exclamatory beginning was highly unprofessional.

However it is true that some teams may be unable to do NOTHING at all due to the fact that most of their equipment does not belong to them. It is beyond me on what they can do. (I don't count complaining as an option)

P.S. Then . . . let it snow.

[EricH]

If, for some reason, you physically cannot get to your robot to crate it or bag it before the deadline, then talk to FIRST directly. Don't come here to get anything official done; CD is unofficial. You still have over a week to get your paths cleared to get in to the robot work areas. If you can crate it or bag it, and FedEx or your shipper can't get to your shop, then contact FIRST for directions. They can work with you. The extension in 2003 wasn't quite enough time for some teams to dig out their shops, IIRC.

The best teams at the D.C., Chesapeake, and Virginia regionals (and any other regionals affected) will be the ones who got hit hard by the storm and planned and prepared to build a robot in a short amount of time, instead of complaining and trying to start petitions to FIRST to get an extension to the ship that runs clear to the regional. (Note: this does not count if you're from out of the affected region...)

[offtopic]By the way, I hear Vancouver needs more snow. Can't hurt for them to see if they can get some fresh stuff sent over from the mid-Atlantic...[/offtopic]

[JGecko146]

When I was in high school there was a year we lost two weeks of build season due to a massive ice storm. We were sponsored by the local public service company and most of our engineers were linemen. They were out taking care of power lines and other problems. Somehow we still managed to pull it together and ship a working robot on time. It can be done. Rally your team and go.

Also, while I understand your frustration with your current situation there are proper channels for dealing with this. In situations like this it is best to contact FIRST directly. Ranting on Chief Delphi rarely obtains the results you're looking for.

[Stephen of REX]

Well good news for teams building two robots, you can scrap the second robot effort and focus on your "practice" robot for competition...