I think the worst case for teams all around is the dreaded ‘school in session; after school activities cancelled’. I would be willing to wager that’s what we’ll end up with tomorrow and the same for lots of schools later in the path of the storm. I’m just hoping it doesn’t cut into our Saturday time.
I predict that’s exactly where we’ll be at tomorrow… So we’ll just have to work extra-long hours after… oh, wait, that’s already the plan!
If my shop was snowed in and my unfinished robot was sitting in there, I’d dig it out with a plastic spoon or melt it out with a Bic lighter if I had to. Every hour counts. If there’s a will, there’s a way to make it happen.
…or you could not violate school district policy by putting others at risk and going to a meeting when a building is locked up due to severe weather, take your lumps, and not have to worry about losing your build space because of irresponsibility…
Happened to us in 2010. We had to assemble structures in a car and attach the pieces together as they came out of the crate.
Yeah, it’s important to note that at least in New York State (and likely other places), it’s illegal to hold extracurricular activities on days where school is canceled due to weather.
Hey, it’s New England…it’s February…it snows. Plan for it.
The team trailer was loaded up with all essential robot parts, raw materials, pieces and parts…it’s off to the Agawam Robotics office and/or our sponsoring machine shop, G&L Tool, for whatever hours we can get.
Now, where did I put the chains for my truck???
Good luck to all teams in the path of the storm. Please be safe and remember that the FIRST community is here to help with anything you need.
Here’s some comic relief?
HQ is closing today.
Since we are on Bag and Tag now, do you think if people miss a massive amount of time, FIRST would delay the worldwide stop build time by 24 hours, do it for just New England, or hold their ground?
I think that FIRST should have gotten out in front of this historic storm with an announcement stating that they will or will not extend bag day for effected teams.
The northeast is shutting down right now, and teams that try and hold meetings to meet deadlines put the students at unnecessary risk.
Toronto public schools are in attendance with a dismal attendance record (6/24 kids in my period 1 class), but at least we get robotics after.
To the best of my knowledge, FIRST has never extended the stop build day. Why would you expect them to now? Everyone should assume the stop build day will not be moved, and all current rules will remain.
That said, there is a precedent, back in 2010, of increasing the withholding allowance (which seems to be a term that is being phased out, although you’re still allowed to keep 30 lbs outside of the bag) late in the build season. That’s not to say it will happen this year (personally, I hope it doesn’t… there were issues in 2010 of teams bringing in practically an entire robot, the withholding allowance was so large).
I realize the storm is a big problem for a lot of people. But in terms of FIRST teams, those affected by this particular storm really aren’t that much… There are thousands of teams in FIRST, and a few hundred in path of the storm. During the 2011 build season, I had snow piled up higher than my car. We dealt with it and moved on, we didn’t beg to have deadlines moved. If you miss out on a day or two of build, come up with a plan to deal with it and move on. It sucks, but that’s life.
I see what you did there.
As a Canadian it amuses me every year when some Middle-US state gets ‘hammered’ by <2" of snow and brings the whole state to a grinding halt.
This morning, I beached my car trying to get out of my driveway, (~7-8" of snow), had to pull back into my garage and run my snowblower before I could leave for work, then drove an hour to my workplace over roads covered by 3-7" of snow. Since I’ve been at work another 3-4" have fallen, and its still coming.
Yes, FIRST has, though it DOES predate your team.
In 2003 and I think 2004 as well, it was pushed back a few days because FedEx wouldn’t pick up the robots thanks to a freak storm the day before ship.
I was wondering when you or Kathiek was going to chime in… 
Hopefully, with a scheduled Team Update tonight, FIRST will say something in that(if there is one, I don’t know if HQ being closed will prevent one from going out).
Fun Fact - A ban on vehicle traffic has been issued for the STATE of Mass starting at 4pm.
So…better hope that robot, kids, and mentors are already at your planned work location for the night. It’s like a lock-in provided free of charge by Mother Nature 
Back in Syracuse, NY we just called this kind of weather “Winter”.
It makes a big difference when everybody is familiar with driving in the snow and many have snow tires. There are a lot of awd crossovers and 4wd trucks. We also have a lot more plows available to keep the roads clear.
With that being said, uWaterloo still shut down today, along with a lot of other universities and schools, with the 8" on the ground and more coming down. It took 4 of us to get a guy’s rwd BMW with bald summer tires moving after he buried it in a right turn lane.
Certainly 6-18 inches of snow presents real risk to traveling in any circumstance. As a lifelong North East resident I enjoy the snow and look forward to it, however just because you live where it’s cold doesn’t mean you love snow or are equiped to deal with it. We also have kids involved and I won’t be the person to ask anyone to take any unnecesary risks. We won’t let the kids operate a paperclip without saftey glasses.I believe that for more reasons than just the weather there should be a sliding date on the “stop build”. That might be a good topic for another discussion.
As an Ohioan, I thought the same thing when a friend in VA told me the entire city shut down over an inch of snow one year.
You have to realize, though, that they don’t get snow every year like we do. Their drivers aren’t used to dealing with slick roads, either due to inexperience or vehicles incapable of handling the snow. They also have a lot less funding going towards road salt/sand/de-icing, and some cities may not even own snow plows.
That being said, I still chuckle when I see a state go crazy over 2". We get more than that in most snowfalls each day.
There’s a saying that goes something along the lines of driving safety just doesn’t include yourself. I have a mild headache, so I can’t remember. Basically, you’re not the only one driving out there. Yes, you may be well equipped with your '99 XJ with snow tires, but that guy driving an Escalade on bald tires poses a risk not just to himself, but you too. There have been quite a few significant multi-vehicle accidents in multiple states within the last month, and they were with WAY less than 2-feet of snow.
If I were calling the shots (or even have an influence), I would suggest not trying to meet. Better to add extra work during Thursday at regional than to have a student injured, or worse. There’s a reason why after school activities were cancelled. In the real world, unfair delays and setbacks happen all the time. You should probably just learn to deal with it now. Some risks just shouldn’t be taken.