Eagle Guy: Times are shitty all over for lot of people and I am sure some of you good folks here on FABBO are also going through your own personal hell, of sorts. Eagle keep your chin up, weigh your options, look at your personal skills and talents, get on the computer and peruse the various job boards and make yourself some kind of plan forward to get your self back on track. Speaking of track one option some of you might consider who read this is the railroads in this country ARE hiring. The railroads are hiring in an unprecedented rate because years ago they did cost saving measures and eliminated the jobs of brakeman,switchman,firemen etc,etc. When they eliminated the position of firemen they eliminated the future locomotive engineers who would eventually be promoted from firemen to locomotive engineer. NOW the old heads are retiring and the railroads do not have any firemen to promote into the engineers seat so people are going to conductor training school at their own expense then hiring in and when the slots come available they go back to engineers school and become locomotive engineers. The railroad is not as good a job as it once was but in the present economy it is a GREAT job to have with excellent benefits and outstanding retirement. I am the only male member of my family on my dads side for the past 4 generations that did not become a railroader. I went to school after I got out of the Marines and got a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I severely hurt my lower back on the job last September and have been at home living on my disablilty insurance but I guess if there is anytime to be hurt and on disability now is probably a great time for this to happen. Eagle Guy you can pull it together with the right attitude and drive. Better times are ahead of us !
