Hi all! Name is Brandon, and thought what better a place to try and gain some insight than a forum of RR guys. I've been in the military for the last 12yrs, the first 6 were active duty out of Little Rock, AR, and the last 6 have been in the Guard between KCMO and DFW. I'm currently a full time technician with the TX Air Guard as a C-130H Crew Chief or grease monkey if you will, for those that know about the military active or guard would conisder my current position pretty good, WG-12 Civilian/ MSgt or E-7 Military at 30yrs old.
Having done this job since 9/11 and all the deployments to the sand box, I find myself getting worn out with it, especially when you consider if it's not Afghanistan then it will be Africa, Iran or some other country. Our unit is on the BRAC to lose our current planes, however that has been put on hold for the time being. With that being said there is a ton of movement that is getting ready to open up within my unit that may allow me the chance to stop wrenching planes. I have a huge backgroud in Safety (both 6 Sigma and maintenance resource management)and IT, as well as a mechanical backgroud.
I have a couple of friends that left the same full time job, 1 for a Conductor slot with UP, and the other a Conductor for KCS. After talking with them I feel like it may be of some interest to me, and a nice change of pace. I went thru a hiring session with UP when I was back in KCMO in '06, and didn't make it past the first interview(must have said something wrong lol.) Anyways as a mechanic for AF I travel from time to time, and my up coming sand box trip (will make 10 in 12yrs) the being away from home is not an issue, a couple days here and there is nothing compared to 4-5months at a time.
So here's the questions if you are still reading this post.
1. If you were in my shoes, is the RR a good option?
2. I make around 60k a year depending on how many trips I take, is that possible in the first year as a Conductor?
3. I haven't fully decided wether or not I would stay a traditional in the guard to maintain a military retirement or if I would drop it.
4. I'm the only bread winner in the house ( wife and 2 kids) so I guess you could say in the end it all boils down to providing for my family, I think I could make more working the rail, but don't know.
Having done this job since 9/11 and all the deployments to the sand box, I find myself getting worn out with it, especially when you consider if it's not Afghanistan then it will be Africa, Iran or some other country. Our unit is on the BRAC to lose our current planes, however that has been put on hold for the time being. With that being said there is a ton of movement that is getting ready to open up within my unit that may allow me the chance to stop wrenching planes. I have a huge backgroud in Safety (both 6 Sigma and maintenance resource management)and IT, as well as a mechanical backgroud.
I have a couple of friends that left the same full time job, 1 for a Conductor slot with UP, and the other a Conductor for KCS. After talking with them I feel like it may be of some interest to me, and a nice change of pace. I went thru a hiring session with UP when I was back in KCMO in '06, and didn't make it past the first interview(must have said something wrong lol.) Anyways as a mechanic for AF I travel from time to time, and my up coming sand box trip (will make 10 in 12yrs) the being away from home is not an issue, a couple days here and there is nothing compared to 4-5months at a time.
So here's the questions if you are still reading this post.
1. If you were in my shoes, is the RR a good option?
2. I make around 60k a year depending on how many trips I take, is that possible in the first year as a Conductor?
3. I haven't fully decided wether or not I would stay a traditional in the guard to maintain a military retirement or if I would drop it.
4. I'm the only bread winner in the house ( wife and 2 kids) so I guess you could say in the end it all boils down to providing for my family, I think I could make more working the rail, but don't know.
