Some PAF questions

[Winnamill]

One of my probable PAFs is a teacher and may need to be in class during at least parts of the 7+ hour time range. Since cell phones are not allowed for the actual lifeline call, I'm wondering if it is not reasonable to figure he can be a lifeline. He could definitely do it when not in class, but because my actual time will be unknown until the day of taping, is that too iffy?

Also, if it works for his situation, if he had someone else (another teacher perhaps) take the initial "she's in the Hot Seat now" call, is there usually enough time between the notification call (not the very first call of the day, but the Hot Seat call) and run get him, is that allowed? I'm guessing he could arrange with another teacher to cover during the time I would actually be in the HS. I doubt I would be phoning a friend for a low level question even if I needed a lifeline then. Does it make sense how I'm asking this?

Finally, he is not my principle lifeline but a specialty lifeline for major sports. If it seems like this does not work, is there anybody out there interested in being a major sports lifeline? I know a fair bit about non-major sports, but not much about the fine points of major sports (basketball, football, hockey, baseball).

Thanks!

[MarleysGh0st]

That will be a challenge. IIRC, Hermillion has told us about answering a PAF call while teaching a class, with all the students falling perfectly silent when the call arrived. She can give you more details of how they worked that out. Having someone else answer the "she's in the Hot Seat" call should be OK, as long as the PAF could get to a phone after that.

[goongas]

IMO, you would be better off with a PAF that can be available the whole time. Also, IMO, they don't tend to focus on sports questions too much, so I wouldn't necessarily worry about having a sports PAF.

If you are having trouble finding PAFs, there are some here that would happily volunteer to do it that are excellent.

[jsuchard]

This is all my interpretation: your mileage may vary.

You and your PAFs have to accomodate the schedule of WWTBAM, rather than the other way around. It is possible that they would make a "set up" call for your PAF very early in the day (exceedingly early on the West Coast) and then you never get into the Hot Seat that day. And if your potential PAF won't be next to a ground line to pick up the phone, or is not immediately available once the phone rings, they're not going to like it. I doubt that you could set up a contingency plan for this particular PAF. However, you might keep the person on your list, but then don't use them if it turns out that they would be in class at the exact time you needed to call.

As I see it, your PAFs must be available all day. It is a major time commitment, and very stressful. If your friend can't commit by rearranging their schedule, then you probably need to find someone else.

[Bob78164]

One of my probable PAFs is a teacher and may need to be in class during at least parts of the 7+ hour time range. Since cell phones are not allowed for the actual lifeline call, I'm wondering if it is not reasonable to figure he can be a lifeline. He could definitely do it when not in class, but because my actual time will be unknown until the day of taping, is that too iffy?

Also, if it works for his situation, if he had someone else (another teacher perhaps) take the initial "she's in the Hot Seat now" call, is there usually enough time between the notification call (not the very first call of the day, but the Hot Seat call) and run get him, is that allowed? I'm guessing he could arrange with another teacher to cover during the time I would actually be in the HS. I doubt I would be phoning a friend for a low level question even if I needed a lifeline then. Does it make sense how I'm asking this?

Finally, he is not my principle lifeline but a specialty lifeline for major sports. If it seems like this does not work, is there anybody out there interested in being a major sports lifeline? I know a fair bit about non-major sports, but not much about the fine points of major sports (basketball, football, hockey, baseball).

Thanks!

You don't want to be stressing about your PAF's availability. I'm reasonably knowledgeable about major sports, and I'd be happy to serve as a PAF if you'd like. Feel free to contact me via PM. --Bob

[marrymeflyfree]

I think anything that will cause you additional worry or mental angst should be avoided....so if you aren't completely confident that he'll be available if you should call, then I would suggest making other arrangements.

I guess it might be possible that he could have another teacher hang with his class once he has gotten the call that you're in the hot seat - but you both should be aware that you could feasibly be in the seat for a very long time before reaching out for a lifeline.

[frogman042]

One of my PAFs worked in a lab and the number was a common number for the lab - she was able to inform her co-workers what to do if M called (get her ASAP) but it was all in the same room - so the time for her to get to the phone was minimal. I don't know how long the wait would be for you teacher PAF to pick up - are there phones in the classroom - would the call have to be transfered and does BOM allow for transfers - this I don't know. All I can say is that as far as I know it is OK for someone else to answer the phone and then get your PAF - if there is a maximum time they will wait, that again I don't know.

I concur with the general sentiment of the bored - find another PAF that doesn't have potential issues - you don't need the stress and given the new rules on getting the info about your PAF to them pretty quickly - I would think you would act on the other offers from the bored first and right now.

Good luck.

---Jay

[hermillion]

I served as a PaF for OtherIndigo in 2003. She taped during the school day, and we managed to work it out. The set-up call does NOT have to be to a land line, so BAM called on my cell.

We have phones in our classrooms, but all calls go through the main office and are then routed to our individual phones. My office folks got a huge kick out of being involved. When the "she's in the hotseat" call came in, they just put it through to my room. When THE CALL came in, it followed the same procedure. BAM edited out the school secretary answering the phone, and just picked up the taping when I answered the phone in my room. I had already primed my students, so when the phone rang everyone was ready to be part of the excitement. As Marley said -- all of my students were absolutely silent, and staring at me with huge grins on their faces. I had my computer set to Google, had a globe sitting on my desk, and my big dictionary open and ready.

After I answered the question and hung up the phone, the room exploded. I really wished they had kept the line open, because hearing the reaction of my students would have made for priceless TV.

PaF is tough duty, and can be very stressful (see: flop sweat). But it's also a lot of fun -- particularly if you are actually able to help the contestant. Doing it from the office, working through a switchboard, possibly running beyond work hours and having to hang around after everyone else has gone home . . . BAM wants only one number per PaF, and not "from 8 - 5 call ###, and after 5 call ###. There's a lot to think about, but it can be done.