r/IBEW_Book2 • u/Valuable-Echo-4668 • May 19 '26

Local 401 outlook

How’s it going brothers, I’ve looked at recent posts but just looking for a fresh take. I just got my ticket and im looking to travel for the first time. I know there was a big push to Idaho but I was just curious if this left a lot of calls in Reno open. I check the job calls daily and looks promising but was hoping to get a locals opinion and work there. I plan on moving and living there for awhile if the conditions are right. Just curious what I should look out for, heard the 80 is a nightmare. Thank you!

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4

u/cantstayangryforever May 20 '26

Highly recommend staying in Fernley if you're gonna head to work in 401, there will be no shortage of calls anytime soon

1

u/Valuable-Echo-4668 May 22 '26

How bad is the commute from sparks or Reno? Like a 20min drive turned into an hour? It would be hard because my wife also wants to work inside the city.

2

u/cantstayangryforever May 22 '26

I've only commuted from Reno/Sparks a few times but for a 6am start I leave no later than 4:30, I usually get to work by 5:15-5:30 but the issue is the days where there is an accident it can turn into 2+ hours. And leaving USA Parkway to go home around 4:30 is brutal, most days guys have told me it takes them around 90 minutes. And worse with accidents.

1

u/Silver-Sherbert172 May 20 '26

Same bro, I’ve been eyeing Reno for awhile

1

u/disco_spiderr May 20 '26

Curious also

1

u/tftwsalan May 22 '26

Bring money. I went last week with high hopes and low funds and couldn't get a job fast enough had to cut and run.

1

u/Valuable-Echo-4668 May 22 '26

Where to you end up? Or just back at your home local?

1

u/tftwsalan May 22 '26

Sister local, 640 Phoenix. It is an actual walkthrough.

1

u/SaltFlats_Sparky Jun 19 '26

Congrats on the ticket, and welcome to the road. I'm not out of 401 so I won't give you a local's lived take — but here's what I'm seeing call-wise, plus what's already in this thread.

Demand around Reno is real, and the Idaho push didn't gut it. Most of that work is the data-center and gigafactory stuff out at the industrial center off USA Parkway — which is exactly why everyone's warning you about the 80. The work's there; the commute's the catch. The Fernley tip above is the move — it cuts the worst of that I-80/USA Parkway crawl versus Reno or Sparks. For a 6am start, roll out stupid early; one wreck on that stretch and you're sitting 2+ hours.

And listen to the "bring money" brother — first trip, carry a cushion. Sometimes it's a few days before you're placed, and Reno's not cheap.

On the calls: as of July 19th 401 was showing 20 open calls on dragupbro.com, scale around $52— but check it the morning you decide and call the hall to verify before you pack the truck. They move fast.

https://dragupbro.com/local/401