"FLE's and BEE's"
The great thing about traveling is meeting all different kinds of brothers and sisters. Sooner or later you will meet a "good brother FLE" or "Bee". They are no different than any other organization and they do know where the work is. You may get lucky enough to travel with some very good ones but there are some real bad ones also. Just remember your "Rules of the Road" and you will be OK.
Get involved with the Local
The IBEW is no stronger than the members. If you can help out with Union activities please let the hall know by volunteering. Many travelers help out on fair booths, organizing, picnics and it is always a pleasure to have the help. Very seldom will a traveler turn away from a volunteer effort.
Putting your ticket in or "Jamming" your ticket
You might find that the Local you are working in is a good bunch of guys, a good union and you want to stay there. If you are indeed involved with the Local in a positive way by helping out, more than likely someone on the Executive Board or staff may ask you to put your ticket in. This is quite an honor and if the local officers are cool with it, you should do it. I call this "putting your ticket in". "Jamming" your ticket is when you force your Book 1 rights, don't get involved in the Local and are a pain for a Local to deal with. Every Local is different when putting your ticket in and some Locals have a moratorium on letting travelers in their Local. Get involved in the Local first, then if you like the Local, ask how you can put your ticket in. Do not be a "Ticket Jammer".
Exercising Book 1 rights, Book 1A
Some Locals do not want travelers to sign Book 1 to protect their Local membership so they have arranged a "Book 1A". A traveler should never sign Book 1, Book 1A or anything but Book 2 unless he is going to put his ticket in the Local. Book 1 is for Local members who live and work in the area with their families. If you believe you should sigh Book 1 you should put your ticket in that Local. Signing Book 1 in another mans Local gives travelers a bad name.
Help make this a better
guide
As you travel, you will see things that are
a lot different than what you see in your jurisdiction. Please
share your experiences with me to make it easier for all brothers
and sisters who have to work away from home. You will find e-mail
links to both myself and Jerry Fletcher @ LU 280 below. I ask
that you send us both an e-mail stating your experiences so that
I can include them here and Brother Fletcher can add them to his
"Rules of the Road" booklet.
E-Mail Jerry Fletcher LU
280
E-Mail Mike Ryan LU
34