Last time out to this team's training session did not go as was advertised, today, did not disappoint either, sadly. As already reported, I left my PCT. on 9/11 during the observance of the attacks to go to training. I went as I was already about halfway to training to cover it. Once more today, the hour long training session became 15 minutes, I had another with me, leting them know I am good to go but would do as they prefer, we stayed. I must ask who would travel 160+ miles for 15 minutes of training to observe? Now having this happen twice in just over 2 months, in past years they were as I recall a bit odd, so I did not go for some time, well it is that time again. No mention of this is made upon arrival, again, yet a recent past email reads, "Please note that these times and locations are subject to change. In the event of a change of time or venue, media that have RSVP’d for the session will be informed immediately.". Yet for an 11 start time I did get notice the night before, after 10 p.m. that at that time, some 10+ hours past the deadline to apply, the application was submitted before 3 p.m. the day before, that only I was approved. Well l upon being told it was only 15 minutes yet again upon arrival, sought out the email, thinking, I misread it, nope, I did find the overnight email however and it was not mentioned, I was not bringing it up as it would have aggravated me even more. I live a few exits further than a media team member, so leaving before 7 a.m. and checking my email after 10 p.m., not happening. Again no notice on the greatly reduced time, so much for my being informed, they do have my cell. Maybe I should invite whoever sends these things out for a hour long BBQ this coming summer, when they get here, so sorry, just 1/4 of that mentioned time, thanks for coming. Yes, it did not end there, upon explaining why, more than just this being a LI based outlet, we would like a NY player, upon being told who we would be speaking to, in such a manner as we would have an individual interview, instead there were 2 other outlets, one who just kept asking questions, not allowing either of us to get in a query, it was a player from NJ supplied. Asking for a local, NY player was met with NJ is local, that it is, however it is not NY. We did get a NY player after, in that we were not told of this, a chance to placate us was lost. The person I was with was speaking to a member of media with the team, I stayed back as they had their chat. I was asked to come out, as I was missing time, I informed, I am ok, waiting on the other, asked again, I informed, the few minutes lost here would not matter if we had the whole hour, no reply. Why I was asked twice with another person between us hearing this exchange, I have no idea. Last time when it was cut short I was the only one there, this one had less than 10 people, I checked the email then as well, was not pleased as it read the hour, then I was offered the opportunity to speak with the same person I was then dealing with, I declined it would not have gone well, this time the person did not offer any opportunity for a discussion, a wise choice.
My job is to cover the teams and sport of soccer. When one gets in the way of my work, it is not a good thing. If media do things thought to be wrong they get a strike. As relates to this open to the media practice, they more than struck out.