Have you thought of Railroad conducting?

Now that I thought about it for a minute, since your a Chief, you might be better suited for a different position with the Railroads. You obviously have experience leading people. I would look into being a Yardmaster or Train master rather than the Conductor position. It pays better and you will have better working conditions along with better Bennie's. You would basically oversee train crews putting together or breaking down trains, and to ensure they do it while following all the rules.
The only reason I'm leaving the RR is that they are extremely slow up here. I'm going back to driving in order to stay working. I'm also on my second career. Good luck.
P.S. RR's love former military people.

 

While I have thought about it. The waiting list was always too long.

After speaking to one that has been laid off for more than a year...the line is even longer.

 

http://www.utugca687.org/content/conductor-certification-coming-jan-1-2012

 

I gratefully drove shuttle for the railroad out of Mobile AL for about two months. Didnt pay diddly squat, but the work was easy, took the van home and the rail guys were GREAT. They told me their stories. Every day. I like to listen to what makes folkes tick....

 

I was emailed about a job as adriver for BNSF RR have you heard about this RR poisition thanks in advance for any info.

 

They make descent money but guy i know has an insane schedule. When I asked what it was like to conduct he replied not as great as people think, very dull and repeative.

 

Sounds just like truck driving, doesn't it

 

Whatever happened to the job of playing cards in the caboose...?? If any of those jobs are left.....count me in.

 

Those days are long gone. Usually just a crew of two sometimes 3, and no caboose.

 

The only driver jobs I'm familiar with are the drivers that take the crews back and forth to the hotel. There are some heavy equipment jobs but the driver also works when they reach the job site. Like for track repair or clearing the area along the tracks, they call it maintenance of way. All the intermodal jobs that I'm familiar with are outsourced to trucking companies. If you can get on as a truck driver I would say go for it.