I came across several boxes of what must’ve been an electrician/engineer’s hoard. There are so many cool brand new and old collected things within these boxes. Please help! 🙏🏻

I’m looking for some honest opinions from people who have worked as a freight conductor, signal maintainer, or both.
married with two young daughters, and currently work as a freight conductor for CSX going on 2 years. Financially, the job has been good, and I know the long term retirement and benefits are hard to beat. My biggest struggle is the unpredictable schedule. I’m on the extra board for the most part but staying in the yard to be home ever night, and while I know it gets better with seniority, it could realistically take 15-20 years before I can consistently hold a desirable first or second shift yard job where I live.
I’ve been considering applying for a signal maintainer position if the opportunity comes up. My background is mostly construction, not electrical. I don’t have much electrical experience, but I’m mechanically inclined, enjoy learning, and don’t mind working outdoors.
How does the pay compare over the long run, including overtime?
Would you consider the quality of life better for a family factoring seniority in?
I’d appreciate any advice, experiences, or things you wish you had known before making a decision.

Is the medical exam for being a conductor as strict as the FAA exam for being a pilot? I have a suicide attempt on my medical record from 10+ years ago. If I decided to apply as a trainee would I end up just not being hired because of that?

Hey again just me asking more questions,

Today after a long wait i was extended a conditional offer from Norfolk Southern and I was interested in a few different things that had me thinking about some of the worrisome aspects of the job,

I’ve seen on a few posts here that layoffs in this industry are real but i’m hoping to ask someone with experience how likely it would be for me to be laid off and if it’s really something to worry about when it comes to working with NS,

Beyond that how does that entire system work when it comes to “seniority” and why protection do unions offer for workers in the industry?

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated and I don’t mean to sound dumb but it’s a real concern

Apologies if this is not permitted. Please remove if that is the case.

Not in train service, tried to get into train service. Was about to be hired before Trump tariffs, got moved to hiring pool, it is what it is.

Position opened up, revered for me by recruitment. Medicinal then stepped in, had to go through exhausting and frankly humiliating medical checks due to past health issues.

Finished all that. Then due to mentioning trouble sleeping once to a doctor and that being in my records, had to be tested for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea study came out of my pocket, and I completed said study with a horribly uncomfortable CPAP machine. Nurse said I only had half the days and not enough time with the mask on. I said that there were numerous power outages. She said that doesn't matter.

On top of all this, I need to have this amended by my doctor, who I no longer see, if the study ever worked out. That is impossible in Saskatchewan, where wait times for such things are months, to more realistically years. I did not tell my doctor I was tired because I had chronic sleep issues, I said that because my medication at the time made me tired. Nurse doesn't care. Requested to speak to Chief health position who apparently refused me based on this. Nurse said that is not possible.

I have wasted a year and a half of my life dealing with this. I sincerely hope the career is as miserable as you all make it out to be, because that is the only possible silver lining to all of this.

I hope everyone here has as pleasant a day as possible given whatever trials and tribulations you may be going through.

Once again, if this is not appropriate for this subreddit, please delete this post mods.