Perennial Q&A Answers

[Al Skierkiewicz]

In the attempt to make inspections uniform across the country, Lead Robot Inspectors at events are given a few phone numbers to call should something out of the ordinary arise. LRI's consult (if following their training) with the Head Ref and FTA at each event, at least daily. Most LRI's I talk with, prefer to park on the field during Friday and Saturday except when called away to cover a pit problem. The head ref, FTA or other event staff can then get problems taken care of quickly. The head ref also has contact numbers and the FTA has a different set. Eventually, one of us can get to our contact or to the Head Ref or to Bill Miller if needed. LRI's in general keep an electronic version of the latest rules, team updates and a consolidated Q&A on their laptop for electronic searches.
In rare cases, a specific issue that was addressed in a previous year's Q&A might help lead to an understanding of the problem but is not used as the sole determinant in a decision. My above example could be checked in past Q&A's and I bet the same answer exists in each one. The same response is there for motor modifications, and electronic control parts. (Crio/robot controller modifications rules go back to the beginning of robot rules) Teams generally ask the same questions every year. Of course, we sometimes jump to conclusions the same as everyone. When I was asked at the beginning of the season, electromagnets had been banned for many years in the Q&A and the robot rules reflected those decisions. This year the Q&A allowed. If a dispute arises, a team needs to have written proof that their decision was made following a response from the GDC, FIRST or through the Q&A. I will tell you that many times teams interpret the Q&A in a way that is favorable to the team not what the Q&A has answered. My most spoken and written admonishment this year was, 'the bumper rule is 1 and 1/2 pages long. You can't cherry pick from that. It is one rule with many paragraphs that must be satisfied in it's entirety. You can't make your bumpers fit most of the way around the robot, even if they are the right color. They must fit all the way around the robot with no gaps between segments.'
There is always one issue that arises at an event that no one has an answer for. In those cases the LRI, Head Ref and FTA should come to a consensus, report the issue at their weekly meetings or via email and inform the team that for this event only, the XXX will be allowed but be prepared to remove it at your next event even if that is the Championship.