# Don't lose your spot on the book. **Built for travelers, not for suits.** You drove state to state to get your name on the list. Don't let a fax deadline you forgot about knock you off it. DontDropBook tracks every local you're signed with — and tells you when to re-sign before it's too late. [Get early access](https://dontdropbook.com/) — free while we're building it. No spam, no sales calls, no IBEW affiliation. ## Sound familiar? Every local runs it different. That's the whole problem. - **Three locals, three sets of rules.** One wants a fax. One wants a phone call. One wants you to walk back in the door. All on different weeks. - **A one-week window, once a month.** Miss it and you're off the list — usually back to signing in person from zero. - **Nobody mentions the letter of introduction** until you're standing at the hall without one. - **A phone full of screenshots and PDFs** from every local's website, and no idea which deadline is closest. ## How it works No sign-ups on your behalf. No touching your dispatch position. Just a tool that remembers what you're supposed to remember. 1. **Add your books.** Tell us every local you're signed with, when you signed, and how they want you to re-sign. 2. **We watch the clock.** Every local's rules, every deadline, tracked in one place — no matter how different they are hall to hall. 3. **You get the heads up.** A text before your window opens. Another one if you're about to miss it. That's the whole job. ## Why this exists This started with one guy driving across the country to sign books at halls he'd never dealt with before, finding out what each one needed after he'd already made the trip. Nobody warns you that "re-sign the book" means something different at every local, or that missing a one-week window means starting over. We're not IBEW. We're not a local. We're just building the tool we wish had existed for that first trip. ## Straight answers ### What happens if I forget to re-sign my IBEW out-of-work book? Most locals drop you from the out-of-work list if you miss your re-sign window, and getting back on usually means re-signing in person from scratch. The exact rule varies by local, so always confirm directly with the hall you're signed at. ### How often do I have to re-sign the book? Depends entirely on the local. Some want a monthly re-sign in a specific week, like the 10th through the 16th. Others run quarterly, or take confirmation by mail, fax, phone, or an online form. There's no standard across the IBEW — which is exactly why it's easy to lose track once you're signed with more than one local. ### What's the difference between Book 1 and Book 2? Book 1 is typically the out-of-work list at your home local. Book 2 is the traveler list at a local outside your home jurisdiction. Dispatch order and rules can differ between the two, even within the same local. See the full guide: [IBEW Book 1 vs Book 2, explained for travelers](https://dontdropbook.com/blog/ibew-book-1-vs-book-2) ### Do I have to sign the out-of-work book in person? Initial sign-up almost always requires showing up in person with ID, proof of qualification, and often a letter of introduction. The monthly re-sign to stay on the list is where locals differ — some allow phone, fax, mail, or online confirmation, others still require an in-person visit every time. ### What is a letter of introduction? A letter from your home local's business manager vouching that you're a member in good standing, often required before another local will let you sign their book. Plenty of first-time travelers don't find out they need one until they're already standing at the hall. ### Is DontDropBook affiliated with the IBEW? No. DontDropBook is an independent tool, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the IBEW or any local union. It's built to help travelers track their own commitments. Always confirm your actual book status directly with your local hall. ## More - [About DontDropBook](https://dontdropbook.com/about) - [Contact](https://dontdropbook.com/contact) — hello@dontdropbook.com - [Guides for travelers](https://dontdropbook.com/blog) - [Privacy Policy](https://dontdropbook.com/privacy) - [Terms of Service](https://dontdropbook.com/terms) --- DontDropBook is an independent project, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) or any of its local unions. All local names and requirements referenced are for informational purposes only — always confirm your book status, re-sign windows, and requirements directly with your local hall.