Decline of GTR Attendance

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

This is no longer an issue, but we are still not certain how much easier it will be to haul a bagged robot across the border now that all of Canada is bag/tag.

Piece of cake. We take 10 VEX teams to Canada twice a year for VRC tournaments and have had NO problems with robots or equipment. The border guards (in both directions) usually are very curious and want to hear all about the robots. For what it's worth, we travel by chartered bus and travel with 50-70 people, depending on the time of year. Canadian teams traveling south for VEX events haven't had any troubles either.

So stop being wusses, get your passports, and compete in Canada. We love our cold, damp neighbors to the north. We especially like winning their events.

(Of the five major VEX events in BC and Washington this year, Canadian teams won one, US teams won one, and mixed alliances won three. It's serious competition up here, with long-running rivalries, grudge matches, and epic partnerships. There are 80+ teams in Cascadia, and it just wouldn't be as much fun without the cross-border competition.)

[Joe Ross]

Besides the Waterloo regional which draws Canadian teams, the Finger Lakes regional started at the same time and would draw some of the US teams that might otherwise travel to Canada.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

So stop being wusses, get your passports, and compete in Canada. We love our cold, damp neighbors to the north. We especially like winning their events.

I've been to this site far too many times:

The following outlines group travel requirements that permit student groups of 19 and younger to supply only a birth certificate for border crossings:

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/lang_eng/eng_sa.html

Seems straightforward.

However, passports for adults aren't cheap. Not everyone expects to travel abroad and may not want to go through the expense for a one-shot trip. $100 plus postage. That doesn't include the passport photos:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html

Not exactly a swift process either.

The passport card is a bit cheaper but still requires the usual government hassle.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html

Overall, for a team with 5+ mentors, you're looking at at least a $500 additional investment. Not all teams/parents/mentors have that kind of disposable cash, as much as we'd like to think otherwise.

It's also a little bit different bringing FTC robots across the border vs. a 150 lb. FRC bot. The big boys are more likely to draw additional attention.

There are definite costs and careful decisions associated with traveling out of country to a FIRST FRC event. It's not quite as easy as saying "just do it". In that regard, we've banked 6 years of anti-wuss credits in attending the Mississauga regional, so we've earned a break, but yeah.

[Jonathan Norris]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

It's also a little bit different bringing FTC robots across the border vs. a 150 lb. FRC bot. The big boys are more likely to draw additional attention.

We had absolutely no issues bringing a bagged robot to Pittsburgh this year, US customs let us through quickly (they usually are sticklers for things like a 150lbs robot). Aslong as you have your documentation organized it shouldn't be a big issue.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Norris

We had absolutely no issues bringing a bagged robot to Pittsburgh this year, US customs let us through quickly (they usually are sticklers for things like a 150lbs robot). Aslong as you have your documentation organized it shouldn't be a big issue.

For the benefit of others, please define "documentation" in detail. Documentation of people seems clear enough. What documentation for the robot, tools, etc. is required nowadays?

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

For the benefit of others, please define "documentation" in detail. Documentation of people seems clear enough. What documentation for the robot, tools, etc. is required nowadays?

Seriously -- border guards aren't FRC inspectors.

"What's in the back of the van?"
"We do high school robotics competitions. That's our robots and tools."
"Is that like BattleBots?"
"Not really -- think basketball, not football."
"Are you selling anything while you are in Canada?"
"No. Just going to a tournament then going home."
"Have a good time in Canada."

Just reverse the comments coming back to the US. In a dozen border crossings we've never had our boxes opened, luggage inspected, or otherwise been hassled. In either direction.

There is nothing particularly sinister about even an FRC robot. Don't worry about it.

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Seriously -- border guards aren't FRC inspectors.

"What's in the back of the van?"
"We do high school robotics competitions. That's our robots and tools."
"Is that like BattleBots?"
"Not really -- think basketball, not football."
"Are you selling anything while you are in Canada?"
"No. Just going to a tournament then going home."
"Have a good time in Canada."

Just reverse the comments coming back to the US. In a dozen border crossings we've never had our boxes opened, luggage inspected, or otherwise been hassled. In either direction.

There is nothing particularly sinister about even an FRC robot. Don't worry about it.

I can vouch for this as well. Living right next door to Windsor and Sarnia, the border guards really won't give you any problems. Be polite, answer their questions truthfully, and you'll be through without a problem (even with a robot). I've brought across tool boxes that I didn't have the key for without a problem at all, along with numerous other things (sails, superchargers, turbochargers).

I have to take my sailboat across the border for regattas, and the only time I really had to wait was when of the security guards knocked himself out coming out of the hatch (didn't pay attention to the 35 foot aluminum mast laying directly over the opening and drove his head right into it coming up the ladder). The border guards got very... interesting.... looks on their faces when I ran in to tell them their friend needed medical help. Got some good laughes from them too .

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Seriously -- border guards aren't FRC inspectors.

...

Just reverse the comments coming back to the US. In a dozen border crossings we've never had our boxes opened, luggage inspected, or otherwise been hassled. In either direction.

There is nothing particularly sinister about even an FRC robot. Don't worry about it.

Sigh. You're going to make me relay the single *bad* experience we've had at the border, aren't ye? We did FRC border crossings for six years. I'm not suggesting these things based on zero past experience.

Back in 2003 or 2004, we had our team trailer (pit wall, robot cart, tools, materials, etc.) and trailer hauling personnel detained for 3 hours upon reentry into the U.S. because...well we never quite understood what the trailer folks said or did not say to cause it. A full trailer strip search ensued. I do not believe they had a list of trailer contents.

We've learned that if you don't prepare for the worst situation, that is exactly the moment in time it will happen. By suggesting that teams prepare some basic documentation, I'm asking teams to minimize their risk exposure to unpleasant situations like we went through that one year.

I'd include in documentation:

• A printout of the event's team list, showing your team number and team city/state location (especially useful if you are bringing a trailer with a team number and home location on it or are wearing team paraphernalia with the same information)
• A copy of the event agenda with dates, times, and the event's venue address
• A list of the basic tools and materials you are bringing with you, especially the ones you've packed in totes or are hidden from sight.
• A picture and description of the robot - a copy of the robot spec sheet you'd hand out to teams at a competition would suffice

Do not present the material unless asked, but have it handy in case they do. If asked, be honest and transparent in showing what you are bringing over and why you are doing it. Have keys to the trailer and any lockable storage to quickly open and show the border guards contents, if asked.

Be honest, be prepared, and you should be fine.