Dennis..
Perhaps another railroader will offer more objective enlighenment than I. I am nearing the end of my RR career as a locomotive engineer. Never in my foggiest dreams did I imagine the hatred and loathing I would be feeling for the RR industry at this point in my life. Many past generations of railroaders admitted that they actually looked foreword to leaving home and going to work. For the majority of my career I too felt this way.
Things have deteriorated so quickly and dramatically that I just don't know where to begin with my complaints. Kent, the RR and airline lifestyle seem to be parallel. Let this be a kindly warning for you; the RR's are hell bent to operate their trains with single man crews. 10,000 ton trains moving at 70+ mph with just one human onboard to monitor the computers. Hope he/she is well rested and has a stable homelife.