Championship 2010 - Atlanta - Your Thoughts Please?

[hipsterjr]

This isn't really about FIRST, but more about the event staff: Seeing as my team wasn't in the finals and the lower seats are reserved, we all made our way to the upper deck. The problem was that I had a segway and my friend had two small children in strollers. All ramps and elevators were blocked off. It took 30min and the event staff supervisor escorting us just to be able to sit with my team upstairs. It was very frustrating.

[carolyn]

Originally Posted by hipsterjr

This isn't really about FIRST, but more about the event staff: Seeing as my team wasn't in the finals and the lower seats are reserved, we all made our way to the upper deck. The problem was that I had a segway and my friend had two small children in strollers. All ramps and elevators were blocked off. It took 30min and the event staff supervisor escorting us just to be able to sit with my team upstairs. It was very frustrating.

I had a similar experience. I was in a wheelchair due to a recently broken ankle, and the only elevator we could find was one that went through a vip room. I was told I had to get credentials to be able to get off of the elevator on the second level, where my team was sitting. It was a very upsetting experience and it also took us 30 minutes just to be able to go up one level.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by carolyn

I had a similar experience. I was in a wheelchair due to a recently broken ankle, and the only elevator we could find was one that went through a vip room. I was told I had to get credentials to be able to get off of the elevator on the second level, where my team was sitting. It was a very upsetting experience and it also took us 30 minutes just to be able to go up one level.

This isn't really about FIRST, but more about the event staff: Seeing as my team wasn't in the finals and the lower seats are reserved, we all made our way to the upper deck. The problem was that I had a segway and my friend had two small children in strollers. All ramps and elevators were blocked off. It took 30min and the event staff supervisor escorting us just to be able to sit with my team upstairs. It was very frustrating.

The staff was no doubt following policy set forth by the Georgia Dome management and are expected to follow that to the letter most likely with dire consequences (like being fired) if they make any exceptions.
Like all arenas they have strict and sometimes unexplainable rules that frustrate patrons. I would try to get them to contact someone in management (politely as possible. These guys are just making a living. No reason to make their experience with FIRST folks a miserable one) and explain your situation and maybe a compromise can be reached.

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by hipsterjr

Originally Posted by hipsterjr View Post
This isn't really about FIRST, but more about the event staff: Seeing as my team wasn't in the finals and the lower seats are reserved, we all made our way to the upper deck. The problem was that I had a segway and my friend had two small children in strollers. All ramps and elevators were blocked off. It took 30min and the event staff supervisor escorting us just to be able to sit with my team upstairs. It was very frustrating.

Originally Posted by carolyn

I had a similar experience. I was in a wheelchair due to a recently broken ankle, and the only elevator we could find was one that went through a vip room. I was told I had to get credentials to be able to get off of the elevator on the second level, where my team was sitting. It was a very upsetting experience and it also took us 30 minutes just to be able to go up one level.

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

The staff was no doubt following policy set forth by the Georgia Dome management and are expected to follow that to the letter most likely with dire consequences (like being fired) if they make any exceptions.
Like all arenas they have strict and sometimes unexplainable rules that frustrate patrons. I would try to get them to contact someone in management (politely as possible. These guys are just making a living. No reason to make their experience with FIRST folks a miserable one) and explain your situation and maybe a compromise can be reached.

Ed is right. the GA Dome staff had a poster in each elevator of which badges could and could not go in that elevator. It's truly unfortunate that they couldn't make an exception for those in wheelchairs or with strollers, but those are the rules, and like Ed said, they could be fired for breaking those rules. I'm sure it's something to take into consideration with the St. Louis staff.

Funny story: Dean arrived in the VIP area in the middle of the day, and needed to be at an interview. He attempted to walk past the VIP check-in and past the GA Dome staff member who was guarding the VIP area. The man stopped Dean and said "I'm sorry, sir, but you can't come through here, you don't have a badge."
Dean's picture was up on a poster directly next to the guard's head. The FIRST staff pointed to it and told the guard, "No, you can let him through, it's OK.". The man shook his head and calmly said "No ma'am, I can't. He doesn't have a badge, and I'm not allowed to let anyone without a badge through. I'm just doing my job." Dean went over to the table, got his badge, and was let through for his interview- but not without shaking the staff member's hand and thanking him for doing his job.

[gvarndell]

Originally Posted by Libby K

Ed is right. the GA Dome staff had a poster in each elevator of which badges could and could not go in that elevator. It's truly unfortunate that they couldn't make an exception for those in wheelchairs or with strollers, but those are the rules, and like Ed said, they could be fired for breaking those rules. I'm sure it's something to take into consideration with the St. Louis staff.

And learning the right lessons for next year is is the important thing here, I think.
Does anybody think that, in their determination to keep the riffraff out of the VIP areas, FIRST intended that people in wheelchairs should have to grovel for permission to use an elevator?
I don't.
I think FIRST assumed that common sense and decency would prevail amongst the event staff - which it obviously didn't.
If my elderly mother-in-law is able to join us in St. Louis next year, I hope she will not be told she needs to climb 2 flights of stairs simply because she is not a VIP.
The "I was just doin' my job" thing doesn't really settle well with me on this.

[Tom Line]

Second, and I only offer this up because it was discussed amongst my students, we did not feel the language used was as inclusive as it could have been for the international attendees. From the launch to the closing ceremonies, we found the message of many of the FIRST speakers to be very United States centric.

The challenges facing the world are pretty much the same no matter what country you are from. Poverty. Disease. Clean water. Violence. Most of the messages Dean supplied in his speech could be applied to any country - from Brazil to the US to Australia to England. When I looked above the podium and saw the dozens of flags hanging there I considered just how much reach FIRST has.

Did you notice the different accents of the diffent speakers? I did and wondered if it had been done on purpose. I certainly hope it was, because it's another reminder just how small the world is and how big FIRST can be. I don't think they need to modify their words. I thought the message was spot on. I think they sent an excellent message when a team like the Panteras won a major award.

Don't focus on the fact that he used the US as an example. He lives here. In fact, most all of FIRST lives here. That doesn't make the message any less applicable.

If you want to feel included, just look at the flags above the stage and realize just how inclusive this whole thing called FIRST really is.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by gvarndell

And learning the right lessons for next year is is the important thing here, I think.
Does anybody think that, in their determination to keep the riffraff out of the VIP areas, FIRST intended that people in wheelchairs should have to grovel for permission to use an elevator?
I don't.
I think FIRST assumed that common sense and decency would prevail amongst the event staff - which it obviously didn't.
If my elderly mother-in-law is able to join us in St. Louis next year, I hope she will not be told she needs to climb 2 flights of stairs simply because she is not a VIP.
The "I was just doin' my job" thing doesn't really settle well with me on this.

Would getting some one fired from their job in this economy sit better with you?
They have to stand there for hours handling hundreds of people all day long. If you have a problem with the standing orders they were given take it up with the management instead of putting some poor wage slave on the spot and jeopardizing their employment. That's why mangers are in those positions so they can make those decisions instead of the employees who are only supposed to enforce the rules.

[gvarndell]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Would getting some one fired from their job in this economy sit better with you?

I don't think I advocated for any action that would get someone fired.
Nor did I indicate I might find it satisfying if someone had been fired.
FIRST did not (I hope) expect the event staff to be so rigidly inconsiderate.
My only point here is that, next year, they need to anticipate exactly that.
Which is sad.

[Astreios]

Having attended a FIRST championship for the first time, I thought the competition was wonderful. It was obviously much bigger than the regionals and it was nice seeing what some of the best teams did.

I thought the venue was quite nice, especially with the pit area being so big. It was nice not sitting being in one place for the entire time. It was nice to be able to talk to so many people, as well. Especially those who participate in FIRST in the different areas of the world. Everyone was so polite.

I did find it interesting that there was a lot less cheering than at regionals I've been to, though. Maybe it's just my imagination. o.o

[SprocketGuy]

I am a teacher/mentor for one of the Canadian teams and we just arrived back this afternoon from a very long and eventful trip home from Atlanta. I just wanted to add in a few observations that my students and I discussed regarding this incredible event.

This was the first visit to the Championships for team 1075 and I will say that we did purchase our way to the event. This has been 8 years in the making and the reward was very sweet! I would definitely like to say we support the option of buying in to the tournament because up here in Canada we have two powerhouse teams that deservedly dominate the award categories at our two regionals that earn your right to attend. (We were looking forward to a showdown between them in the Einstein finals, but it wasn't meant to be!) I'm not saying they can't be defeated but it's easier said than done and the option to buy in allowed us to reward our first group of students that started way back in grade 9 and will be moving on to greater things next year. Without the option we would have never been able to share this wonderful experience with everyone.

As first time attendee we were awestruck by the size and quality of the tournament. We had heard it was big, but words can not describe... People were very friendly and supportive, and we were impressed by the efficiency of the organizers. Everything ran like clockwork and we had a blast.

Two things that definitely came up as a criticism. One was the length of the Kamen speech during the finals. (I heard in retrospect that this is not uncommon.) I casually observed many members of my team and the teams around me get more and more disconnected as their attention wavered. I do believe some of the message was lost in the delivery, which is a shame because it was a positive one.

Second, and I only offer this up because it was discussed amongst my students, we did not feel the language used was as inclusive as it could have been for the international attendees. From the launch to the closing ceremonies, we found the message of many of the FIRST speakers to be very United States centric. Obviously the VAST majority of teams hail from the USA, but it's my belief, and those of my students, that FIRST could be a little better at acknowledging that this is a global program with many countries involved. There were teams that flew for as long as we drove to attend this tournament and that should be recognized.

These may be minor points, and apparently some have been discussed at length before, but I felt I should post the positives and the concerns that were raised by the team on the bus ride home.

Congratulations to everyone who participated. You made a lasting impression on our team.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by SprocketGuy

Two things that definitely came up as a criticism. One was the length of the Kamen speech during the finals. (I heard in retrospect that this is not uncommon.) I casually observed many members of my team and the teams around me get more and more disconnected as their attention wavered. I do believe some of the message was lost in the delivery, which is a shame because it was a positive one.

I don't know if Dean has ever made it up to Canada so this may be your first time seeing the man in person. I see him at many events and all his speeches are long rambling affairs. Some love them others just wait for them to end.

[waialua359]

Hey,
you must be the guy that sat next to me in the stands. You brought up some good points that afternoon.

Originally Posted by SprocketGuy

I am a teacher/mentor for one of the Canadian teams and we just arrived back this afternoon from a very long and eventful trip home from Atlanta. I just wanted to add in a few observations that my students and I discussed regarding this incredible event.

This was the first visit to the Championships for team 1075 and I will say that we did purchase our way to the event. This has been 8 years in the making and the reward was very sweet! I would definitely like to say we support the option of buying in to the tournament because up here in Canada we have two powerhouse teams that deservedly dominate the award categories at our two regionals that earn your right to attend. (We were looking forward to a showdown between them in the Einstein finals, but it wasn't meant to be!) I'm not saying they can't be defeated but it's easier said than done and the option to buy in allowed us to reward our first group of students that started way back in grade 9 and will be moving on to greater things next year. Without the option we would have never been able to share this wonderful experience with everyone.

As first time attendee we were awestruck by the size and quality of the tournament. We had heard it was big, but words can not describe... People were very friendly and supportive, and we were impressed by the efficiency of the organizers. Everything ran like clockwork and we had a blast.

Two things that definitely came up as a criticism. One was the length of the Kamen speech during the finals. (I heard in retrospect that this is not uncommon.) I casually observed many members of my team and the teams around me get more and more disconnected as their attention wavered. I do believe some of the message was lost in the delivery, which is a shame because it was a positive one.

Second, and I only offer this up because it was discussed amongst my students, we did not feel the language used was as inclusive as it could have been for the international attendees. From the launch to the closing ceremonies, we found the message of many of the FIRST speakers to be very United States centric. Obviously the VAST majority of teams hail from the USA, but it's my belief, and those of my students, that FIRST could be a little better at acknowledging that this is a global program with many countries involved. There were teams that flew for as long as we drove to attend this tournament and that should be recognized.

These may be minor points, and apparently some have been discussed at length before, but I felt I should post the positives and the concerns that were raised by the team on the bus ride home.

Congratulations to everyone who participated. You made a lasting impression on our team.