Well the experience you guys have gained over the years is a large part of why you both will likely get selected.

I feel lucky even being ranked 9th as I am 23 with only a little over a year of electrical/construction experience. An IBEW friend of mine also interviewed in Austin this year and failed the interview. Oddly enough he was very bright and had the highest grade in my electrical apprentice class this past year. I can only imagine how tough this union is to get into in some of the other locals.