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[Adama]

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

Baltimore and DC are in states of emergency and while not enforceable it is actually illegal to be out driving in some areas at the moment. Regardless of fairness it is highly likely that the shipping trucks won't be able to get to some of the teams pick up points. FIRST may have its hand forced into allowing teams extra time.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Adama

Baltimore and DC are in states of emergency and while not enforceable it is actually illegal to be out driving in some areas at the moment. Regardless of fairness it is highly likely that the shipping trucks won't be able to get to some of the teams pick up points. FIRST may have its hand forced into allowing teams extra time.

In the meantime, the teams should continue to do what they can do in preparation for the competition(s). It would also benefit the teams to document their progress this season, which would include the challenges that the weather has presented. Pictures say a thousand words and would be a nice addition to the pit 'decor' in the form of a scrapbook, framed photo section, bulletin board. They could also be part of the team website, blog, etc. Make use of the challenge and in how the team is meeting it.

Snowmageddon will become a part of the teams' histories and will be talked about for years to come.

[V_Chip]

At the present . . .

(all of those who are struggling with the deadline and praying for an extension)

. . . can only shovel (and wait)

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by Adama

Baltimore and DC are in states of emergency and while not enforceable it is actually illegal to be out driving in some areas at the moment. Regardless of fairness it is highly likely that the shipping trucks won't be able to get to some of the teams pick up points. FIRST may have its hand forced into allowing teams extra time.

Shipping the robot is not due for 2 weeks ... hence, FIRST is not 'forced' to do anything.

I'd suggest you take Janes' advice and try and figure out how to use this time wisely.

[BrendanB]

Who knows, you guys can be in your shops in a couple of days, and you still have 2 weeks until ship.

Just another challenge, will you overcome it or just complain?

[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.

[Isaac501]

It isn't FIRST's fault, or problem, that states and localities are completely unprepared for normal Winter weather. It's snow. What's the big deal? We routinely have 3-5 snow days in build season, but I don't think I have ever seen a team north of Delaware truly complain about it.

Posting something like this (terrible spelling, grammar, punctuation) as a Mentor in a public forum is very unprofessional and doesn't do anything for your case or your team.

[BobC]

If I were you I would waste my time. If I remember right about 6 to 8 years ago (that's when my son was still in high school) we in New England had 1 or 2 snow storms just about every week of build season. I do not remember how long the extension was but it was not very long only 1 to a few days. So go for it do you do what ever you got to do. Good luck hope it works out for you.

[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.

[Karthik]

The latest entry in "Bill's Blog" addresses the weather issues:

http://frcdirector.blogspot.com/2010...last-week.html

Originally Posted by Bill's Blog

Whether or not the weather cooperates, robots must be shipped (or bagged and tagged) on Robot Ship day. Heads up, February 23rd is coming soon.

[BobC]

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.

I agree you can not predict the weather. Here in Connecticut we were supposed get the biggest storm in years today. Starting early morning around 3am to 6am with 12 inches of snow. Just about every school in the state was closed for the day. It it now 5pm I can clean my driveway with a broom. There was no reason to cancel school in my town today.

[RoboMom]

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.

Akash, and Brendan, I have no advice on what teams should or should not have done given the cards they have been dealt. What works for your team may not work for others.

Schools in the Baltimore area were closed for a day or 2 days, last week. That was 3 storms ago and 4 " ago. They started Friday by opening late in some areas, then closing early due to a storm that evolved and grew. That was 2 storms and 30 " ago. They have not been back to school since. This storm (which it appears NJ is also experiencing) will be dumping another 10-20" depending. Schools have been canceled until at least early next week. I am hard pressed to imagine anyone who was wise enough to envision how this would unfold the past week. The Baltimore area, as well as much of the Mid-Atlantic is paralyzed and in a state of emergency. There are building collapsing, thousands without power (some since last Friday) and medical emergencies everywhere with no way to reach people.

Sometimes compassion and listening (and there are lots who need to vent and this forum allows for that within limits) is better than offering advice.