Shorts in the pits?

[2544HCRC]

Shorts in the pits and on drivers? I seem to remember a time when it was not allowed. I did not allow team members to wear shorts. One of my people counted 61 in shorts before she stopped. No rule?

[trumpthero786]

No rule that I know of. Our team's uniforms doesn't allow it however.

[3175leheh]

No rule that I'm aware of. At least not a literal rule, just a social rule. I guess it's from a fear of kneeling down in metal shavings.

[Lij2015]

While it was suggested that we wore pants on our team I wore shorts at all the events last year to keep cool as I get hot pretty easily. While i guess it can be taboo, its a lot more comfortable than you would think!

[cadandcookies]

Originally Posted by Lij2015

While it was suggested that we wore pants on our team I wore shorts at all the events last year to keep cool as I get hot pretty easily. While i guess it can be taboo, its a lot more comfortable than you would think!

Shorts are comfy and easy to wear!

Relevant edit: I can't seem to find anything in the rules about shorts in the pits. Close toed shoes and eyewear, however...

[Lij2015]

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

Shorts are comfy and easy to wear!

Relevant edit: I can't seem to find anything in the rules about shorts in the pits. Close toed shoes and eyewear, however...

Keep in mind I never did any actual work on the robot myself so shorts didn't necessarily cause any problems in my case.

[ice.berg]

Being from Minnesota I think anything above 60 deg. F is hot. So shorts are my go to FRC attire for competitions. Been doing it for many years in the pits and as a drive coach.

[Jalerre]

I don't thinks shorts should be allowed in the pits. Remember to insulate all of your wires!

[mrnoble]

I assumed this was about power supply to the pits, I was alarmed at first that we might have a serious safety situation.

[nighterfighter]

I've never NOT worn shorts to an event in the past 7 years. No plan on stopping that this year.

It gets way too hot back there.

[gblake]

Take a skirt (or a manly kilt) with you to the event. If someone complains about your shorts, just put on the skirt.

PS: Always keep unprotected legs away from sharp corners, disassembled machinery, moving machines' pinch points, etc. especially in crowded locations.
PPS: Keep loose skirts, kilts, scarves, neckties, other loose clothing, hair, necklaces, bracelets, etc. away from moving machinery.

[Christopher149]

Originally Posted by ice.berg

Being from Minnesota I think anything above 60 deg. F is hot. So shorts are my go to FRC attire for competitions. Been doing it for many years in the pits and as a drive coach.

Champs in St. Louis (or back in Atlanta) are definite shorts weather for me (except that time in the WCC when an open garage door let it in a nasty cold draft). I must be getting old that I need pants for temperature at events even in the 50s outside.

[GreyingJay]

The weather is still cold at the Canadian regionals, especially at Greater Toronto Central where the entire regional takes place on the surface of an ice hockey rink (the former Maple Leaf Gardens). We frequently popped outside to get food or go back to the hotel, and it was still right around freezing weather. No shorts for me, brrr!

[Pretzel]

While there are no rules prohibiting shorts, they become inconvenient when you invariably have to get down on your hands and knees in the pit or brush against something with a sharp/rough edge. For this reason I would recommend against them, especially for those who plan to work in the pits or are a member of the drive team (or both!).

I know in the process of lifting the robot on/off of the field you often end up scraping against your robot or the field, I know I caught my calf on the edge of the rail of the field perimeter leaving through the exit carrying a robot multiple times. People end up drilling and creating potentially sharp metal shavings in the pits, and if you were to kneel to get a better angle in the pits with shorts on you run the risk of embedding whatever swarf is on the floor into your legs (removal afterwords isn't fun). This is why I would recommend long pants, especially if you are planning to work in/around the pits and robots.

[Bryce Paputa]

I'd consider quitting if they banned shorts at competitions.