Contest etiquette

[Phil Smith]

Do you thank the judge/judges after each flight, or at the conclusion of your last round flight? I like to seem appreciative of their work, but not look like I'm greasing up to them.....Judges out there, what's your take on this?

[Greg L Bahrman]

I always thank them. Without them there is no contest and remember it's a thankless volunteer position.

[Chris McMillin]

I always thank them after each flight. It is common courtesy and shouldn't be construed as anything else.
Chris...

[Shultzie]

Chris...WHAAAAAAT?

Does this mean....that picking up the party tab of the judging staff at the local pubs and night spots on the eve. of competiton...NO LONGER IS ACCEPTABLE CONTEST ETIQUETTE? 

[wmiii]

 Thanks are always appriciated. Money is just a added bonus, not that I've ever seen any.

  Walter

[Keith Spriggs]

Chris...WHAAAAAAT?

Does this mean....that picking up the party tab of the judging staff at the local pubs and night spots on the eve. of competiton...NO LONGER IS ACCEPTABLE CONTEST ETIQUETTE? 

If I was the judge I would not only consider it OK, but also expected. When I judged you I would factor in a "K" factor depending on good the party was and your general morning after condition. Getting to the center of the circle would probably put you in the top three.

[Richard Oliver]

Proper Etiquette is to thank the Judges on you last flight while leaving the circle. When I am judging I do not want any one doing any more than this. When at the Nats it is more difficult as you may not see the judge again as we reduce the amount of judges that are needed each day that flyers are eliminated. Do the best you can in this situation. Much easier on a local level when you only fly 2 rounds. When I am judging I appreciate the thanks but it is not necessary as I do not do it for the accolades. I do however respect the flyer that asks where he can improve and wants my input and or advice.
RO

[Ron King]

I always say "Thank you" after each flight. I appreciate the effort it takes.

At some of the smaller contests, I try to find the judges and get some feedback after the contest. I have had judges write notes on the second (last) round scoresheet and these help, too.

I had a judge write, "Please see me after the contest." on one of my score sheets. I found him at the end of the day and he (and his partner) proceeded to give me a blow by blow description of what I did right, what I did wrong, and how I could improve. Unbelievable.  I only paid a few dollars to enter that contest and came home with so many good tips. 

Ron

[Alan Hahn]

I always clean off the windshield on the judge's car after a flight. If I got a good score, I use a clean papertowel. 

[L0U CRANE]

In Tucson, we occasionally have so many entries in certain classes, or enough events running in the same morning period before wind and/or severe temps hit, that it isn't always easy to do more than a grateful wave as one comes off the circle.

We are fortunate that, for a dedicated stunt meet - or period during a more general meet - three paved pits run alongside our two paved circles. As anyone who's been to a recent VSC recalls, we have contestants set up in the pit right next to the circle they are scheduled to fly. We try to keep it down to from three to five models in the set-up pits to make sure of pull-testing and finding the next-scheduled fliers.

After flight, they are to come off into the middle, third, pit to tear down, roll lines, etc., and place the model in an adjacent grass strip - out of the pits.

But, as to appreciating the judges, oh, yes! ... and the scoresheet runners  ...and the tabulators ...and the pull-test volunteers ...and the pit bull boss who keeps the rotation rotating.

[bill marvel]

I appreciate a "Thanks, Judges" when it happens.  I am not offended when it doesn't.

I love judging serious competitors who don't take themselves too seriously.  Some of the nicest people I have met are also the most intense competitors!

I have never regretted being drafted to judge the first time.  I have learned so much.  I am just dumbly happy to get to participate.  When I was at the Nats, I got to judge, Pit Boss and be a score runner.  None of those tasks were more important than the other and each was fun in its own way.

regards,
bill marvel

[john e. holliday]

I think it should be common courtesy to thank the judges.  If both rounds are in front of the same judges, I wait until after second round.  If I know I will be flying second round in front of different judges, then I thank them after each round.  Of course with CRS I slip up and forget to thank them once in awhile.  Later, DOC Holliday

[Mark Scarborough]

Heck, the last contest, my second, I spent all day smoosing the judges after our first round, even offered em' a samwich, then the CD went and gave us a different set of judges for the second round, man what a bummer,

yeah i know, but really I was just kidding.