Four weeks ago, I was at a USPSA match at my local club. We were short in our squad on people to run the pad, and I asked a new shooter if he knew how to run the pad. Said no, but was willing to learn. I worked with him, handing the pad back and forth, standing next to him. Part way through the match, I asked him what he did, and he said he was a pilot. Told him my wife and I were pilots, and asked what he flew. Response was “737.” Then I asked him where he flew, and he said “in China.” I almost dropped the pad on the ground. Asked him when he was last in China, and he said two weeks previously.
My wife and I have been discussing what matches we will or will not attend, whether we will bring our own tape, procedures for handling the pad or timer.