So why can’t the race directors simply verify my USAT number and registration /membership during electronic signup. Just seems silly in these times of electronic databases that I have to present a plastic card as membership verification (this past weekend I just print out a temp copy as I can’t find my wallet card.)
I know it’s not a big deal at all, but still annoying.
USAT if you want to hire me I will solve whatever technical issues are required to make this happen. If your current IT staff has told you it is not possible fire them and hire me.
=)
So why can’t the race directors simply verify my USAT number and registration /membership during electronic signup. Just seems silly in these times of electronic databases that I have to present a plastic card as membership verification (this past weekend I just print out a temp copy as I can’t find my wallet card.)
I know it’s not a big deal at all, but still annoying.
One problem is that a person could register for a race months ahead of time and have their membership expire before the day of the race. Electronic databases are not always accurate. Think of the No-Fly list.
I’ll solve that problem using a novel mathematical technique called subtraction and I will guarantee enough DB accuracy for the task at hand. Nothing is ever perfect but this is not terrorist plot prevention. its membership in a triathlon club. we can do this!
=)
One problem is that a person could register for a race months ahead of time and have their membership expire before the day of the race. Electronic databases are not always accurate. Think of the No-Fly list.
Awesome
.
USA Cycling works the same way.
Sorry, this is not a big deal! RD’s have much bigger issues they could improve on with their time.
I think that having a USAT official at ‘big’ races verifying membership cards is a huge money maker for them. A lot of people end up buying 1 day licenses due to lost / forgotten cards that are already members. A couple PCs with internet access would be all it takes to verify current membership, but what’s the point? It would = less revenue.
I’ll solve that problem using a novel mathematical technique called subtraction and I will guarantee enough DB accuracy for the task at hand. Nothing is ever perfect but this is not terrorist plot prevention. its membership in a triathlon club. we can do this!
This has to be the lowest priority in improving the sport right behind which color to use for body marking. Getting to the start line of a tri is one hassle after another and a plastic card is the final straw? Seriously, if bringing your USAT card is too much trouble, stay home and play on-line solitare.
/
done properly this would save the RD time.
the registrations portals would just blast off member id and name/address info that they already have. USAT central does the math. Event date/expiration date comparison - check. payment name/address match membership name address - check
automated email to RD the day before the race (or whenever) with a list of verified entrants who do not need to show their card.
could save money by not sending out cards to people too.
Sorry, this is not a big deal! RD’s have much bigger issues they could improve on with their time.
aw fudge I bet you are right.
I think that having a USAT official at ‘big’ races verifying membership cards is a huge money maker for them. A lot of people end up buying 1 day licenses due to lost / forgotten cards that are already members. A couple PCs with internet access would be all it takes to verify current membership, but what’s the point? It would = less revenue.
Yep, could, could could. Just IMO, not an issue. I have one card in my wallet, and the smaller one always connected to my tri bag.
Well I would put course distance accuracy higher, and drafting, but those are harder problems to solve.
This has to be the lowest priority in improving the sport right behind which color to use for body marking. Getting to the start line of a tri is one hassle after another and a plastic card is the final straw? Seriously, if bringing your USAT card is too much trouble, stay home and play on-line solitare.
/
Or a refund policy. :o)
You can mail in proof of buying a 1 day and take that $10 off your annual fee I was told.
What pisses me off is USAT makes it so damn hard to check your card online. Log in, click on a link, change your password, then relog in to get your card. Why can’t they make it easy to just access your card. like I even care about logging onto the USAT page for anything else.
Or you could just remember your password in the first place…
Sorry, this is not a big deal! RD’s have much bigger issues they could improve on with their time.
I believe that implementing this sort of membership validation in the online registration process will FREE up a RD’s resources so they can focus on the bigger picture.
During registration
-Do you have a USAT member ship?
Yes —> Enter USAT number
Computer checks the USAT database and verifys that the membership is valid on race date (and matches the registration information)
Membership is valid on race date and there is no need for further checking past thisMembership will be expired on race dateSend the user to the USAT page to re-up their membershipSend the user a reminder or two before race date to re-up their membership before race dateRace director can re-query the USAT database a week before the event and check to see if these people re-upped their USATNo
Send user to the USAT membership page to purchase a one-day or a regular membershipSend the user an email before the race reminding them they will need to purchase a one-day passGive the user the option of updating their registration with a USAT number
At worst you are shifting the work that is done on packet pickup day(s) to before the event. At best you can reduce workload at packet pickup and give you a much more proactive means of ensuring that everyone is USAT membered.
It just seems that it would streamline things and maybe it wouldn’t.
Looks great. But with limited resources at USAT, would you want them spent on this? Or improving ranking? Or?
Call Skip and talk to him about your idea.
USAT needs to centralize race registration. They need to hire a competent IT dept. (current website is pretty bad), and take over for active.com, sportsbase and the like and do race registration themselves. That’ll do a lot to improve matters for RDs, because it takes one of the large PITA tasks off the RD.
Yup saw it at my race yesterday am at packet pick-up—to the guy in front of me “Do you have your USAT card?”" “Ahhh no.” “OK that will be $10 cash.” I had to kinda laugh to myself thinking what a money maker at 5:30am!!