[BB] Late Breaking News

[Isaac501]

As someone who until 10 days ago had never been to St Louis, here's some advice: Book your hotels very close to the event (to the southwest is best, it's the "nicest" part of town). Do not take the lightrail at night. Don't even bother going out at night unless it's near the nice part of downtown.

Do the Arch. It's pretty awesome. The Royal Dumpe dinner theatre is hilarious (unless you've got an enormous stick up your rear end). Also.. Pappy's Smokehouse.

Also, watch your credit card receipts, and check your statements when you get home, though you should do this no matter where you go. People on our team got their CC numbers stolen at the Chaifetz Arena foodservice.

[Richard Wallace]

Definitely visit the Arch. While you are there (probably waiting for your trip to the top), see the movie Monument To The Dream.

I lived in St. Louis for 15 years. I rode the light rail system at night many times without issue, for trips to the Arch, to Cardinals baseball games, downtown restaurants, etc.

As a clarification: the 2011-2013 FIRST Championship venue is downtown, near the Arch. The St. Louis Regional FRC venue (Chaifetz Arena) is on the campus of St. Louis University, a couple of miles west of downtown. A hotel that was convenient for the St. Louis Regional may not be as convenient for the FIRST Championship, and vice-versa.

Sorry to hear about your problems with Chaifetz concessions -- I will make sure the St. Louis Regional Planning Committee hears about that, too.

[Trevor_Decker]

I think if they can run 8 divisions then they should since it will make the finals on Einstein the same as they are at the regionals and divisions. It will also decrease the chances that the same teams are in alliances every year.

Plus in my option the more teams that make it to nationals the better.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by O'Sancheski

there is alot of teams that are on the west coast that can't go because of the cost of airfare to atlanta. St. Louis is a great location... right smack dab in the middle of the US

Atlanta is the busiest airport in the US. It's far cheaper for west coast teams to fly to Atlanta than St Louis, even though St Louis is closer.

Originally Posted by Trevor_Decker

I think if they can run 8 divisions then they should since it will make the finals on Einstein the same as they are at the regionals and divisions. It will also decrease the chances that the same teams are in alliances every year.

Plus in my option the more teams that make it to nationals the better.

The logistics of such a scenario make it nearly impossible. Where will FIRST find 2x the volunteers they currently have? There aren't that many qualified people.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Trevor_Decker

It will also decrease the chances that the same teams are in alliances every year.

Trevor, you do realize they assign teams in order of who registers for the Champs, right. Starting with the lower numbered team, 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4...
WildStang and Beatty for instance are rarely in the same division.

[Trevor_Decker]

Originally Posted by Al Skierkiewicz

Trevor, you do realize they assign teams in order of who registers for the Champs, right. Starting with the lower numbered team, 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4...
WildStang and Beatty for instance are rarely in the same division.

I was not aware of that, however I feel with more Divisions their would still be a lower chance of repeat alliance's especially in the divisions which are filled with teams that register latter in the season.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

OK Everyone, get ready!
Bill has announced on the blog that Wednesday is a go for inspections.

"It’s going to happen. I’ve found enough Inspectors and the set up crews promise they’ll have the stations ready. If you’re coming to Championship, plan to have up to five of your team members (at least one must be an adult mentor) ready to un-crate your robot, charge your batteries, encrypt your radio and get your robot inspected all on Wednesday night. You can even start to set up your pit if you have time. Pits open at 6PM and close at 9PM. We’ve made this change this year to help teams be ready to go at 1PM on Thursday when competition rounds begin.
Bill"

Emphasis is mine.