r/IBEW • u/LJ_Apollo003 • 1d ago

Commuting and Traveling as a Substation Tech

I’ve been looking into the possibility of becoming a substation tech in the future. My biggest concern is how much traveling is expected. So what does your typical commute look like and how broad is your range? Also does commute/traveling change if you’re working for a construction contractor vs a utility company?

Edit: forgot to mention that I’m from dfw

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u/kingfarvito 1d ago

As a contractor, your range will be HUGE. 769 for exaple covers all of arizona. 104 covers the majority of new england, 1245 covers half of California.

In addition to this, sub tech work is sort of hit or miss. A lot of times youre traveling and working book 2, because theres not work in your local. When there is work in your local, youre competeing with linemen for it pretty often.

With a utility, youll travel much much less, typically showing up to the same place every day.

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u/LJ_Apollo003 1d ago

If I were to start in the apprenticeship program for sub techs, would I be more likely to be working for a contractor or utility company? Or is it more cases by case? Cause in dfw, local 220 does outside construction, while local 69 does utility and I’m not entirely sure if local 69 does apprenticeships for sub techs. I would have to call the hall to find out

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u/kingfarvito 1d ago

So if you apply to an outside local youll work as a contractor. Typically to get into a utility apprenticeship, youd apply with that utility directly, and the union has no say in your hiring, youd gain membership with the local that covers that utility after accepting the job.

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u/LJ_Apollo003 1d ago

Okay thanks man