You guys are gonna have to be here for me - I'm sad - Nichole please read too

My2Beauties wrote: OK so this is good news but it's also sad news at the same time, I know doesn't make sense just yet does it While we were in Vegas, Brian's cousin, Candace, told us about her new job that she starts on July 18th. The job is with CSX railroad and it's a wonderful opportunity, making big bucks by the way. We were really happy for her and everything, she's been at UPS for years and hates it there. So, she starts to tell Brian about it and starts saying that she thinks he should do it because it's a wonderful oportunity and he's a perfect candidate since he's used to physical labor anyways. So, Brian starts to get interested. OK, this job pays more than double his annual salary he's making now to start, financially, we would be completely set! Which is wonderful. BUT the downside to this job, the initial training is in West Virginia for 5 weeks (nichole your part is coming up soon). The training is unpaid, not only is it unpaid you have to pay for it It's a trade school, I mean he would be learning a trade, so therefore they require you to pay for the school, $4,450 to be exact Then to top it off, the travel expenses are not reimbursed at all or paid up front - YEA you have to pay for your hotel, your food - EVERYTHING! This is a federal job, so the pay is great, you do not have to pay into Soc Sec, reitrement after 30 years, and your federal tax withholdings are lower, but they're not just gonna let you get paid training right ! URG! After that first 5 weeks, you have to go to Atlanta for 2 weeks - that training is paid. While in West Viriginia he is able to come home on the weekends and I am able to go see him. I don't know how long of a drive that is though - anyone know?

So she explains all this, now even though I know the sacrifices he'd be making, I still think it's a good opportunity so he applies online Monday night. They called Brian back Tuesday and yesterday. When they accepted his application Tuesday night, we put him in the July 27th orientation and testing session. The testing session is local and they test you for colorblindness, personality, and reading. She has known about her position for months now, since she applied so long ago, so we're thinking he has a month just before his initial test so if he does get the job then he'll probably have another 2-3 months before another training session in West VA right? WRONG! When they called him, the recruiter was so interested that she wants him to go to testing on the 5th - yeah Tuesday. She said Brian we are only hiring 10 more people to be based in Louisville this month, then we're done recruiting for Louisville, she said if you go in on the 5th and you're hired, you can leave on the 18th with your cousin Candace for West VA! OK If he does get the job I'm glad he'll have someone there with him and they can drive together, save gas blah blah blah but OMG if this happens I have two weeks to prepare to lose my husband for seven weeks, we're talking into September here! Also the first 2 years of this job, you do not have any seniority so you are on call 6 days a week and you have no set shift, one day you might have to work 1st shift, another day you might have to work 3 rd shift. YUCK! They have grant programs, his cousin got a $3500 grant so she only has to pay $1000 for the school and she doesn't even have kids, so I think brian can get a grant, and they have a loan program through Sallie Mae too to compensate for the other portion of the loan plus they give you $2000 spending money (it's still a loan) during your trip and it's pretty low interest rates. But no income for 5 weeks - I'm gonna be really having a hard time with that plus I will miss the crap out of hubby! So if this happens, you guys please be there for me, I'll probably be posting sob stories until the wee hours of the morning, with lots of faces in them. I already cried last night thinking about it, it didn't help that we were laying in bed and he said "God I will miss holding you if I have to leave for 7 weeks" OK I'm tearing up now!

I just want opinions, I mean is it worth it? After two years he gains seniority, gets a set shift, and doesn't have to work any holidays, not to mention he is more than doubling his salary, I could quit working after his two years are up because your salary goes up by that much more, I wouldn't even have to work if I didn't want to. Although I probably still would because I would go cuckoo if I stayed at home, but still I would have that option, if we had another little one by that time, I would have the option to maybe go part time or something if I didn't want to completely quit working! Byt int he short run I am going to hate this

Nichole - told you your part was coming up. Where in West VA do you live? I dont' know what city his training is in, I plan on coming up there at least twice to visit, once for about 4 days or so taking off work on a Monday and Tuesday maybe, if the cities are close enough, we could do lunch or something Oh yeah and do you have any idea how far of a drive it is from Louisville, Ky, to the first city in West VA?

Josie83 replied: Sounds like its a good opportunity for him in the long run, but I understand how hard it wouldbe for you for those seven weeks.

Imagine if you and Nichole got to meet up! oh the carnage!! xx

mckayleesmom replied: I think it sounds like a GREAT opportunity....You will miss him...but it will be worth it and you will be ok. Six weeks will go by fast...we have the aquariam to go to...and you can come visit me or I can come visit you....Trust me..you will be fine. Dh is gone for 3 weeks at a time...home for 2 and he works on the 2.....

mammag replied: Oh I know that must be hard for you to even imagine getting through 7 weeks but you'll make it. Sometimes you have to do what others won't do to get what others won't get, kwim? Well, I wish him luck! Of course we will be here for you!

3xsthefun replied: It really does sound like a great opportunity, I know you will miss him lots but it should be worth it in the long run!

BTW: I thought Nichole lived in Virginia not West Virginia

My2Beauties replied:
Hmm I don't know, I thought it was West VA? Poop

jcc64 replied: Nichole does live in VA.
I think anytime you have the opportunity to train for a specific skill, it's always a good thing- and there is a job guarantee at the end of this, right, LeaAnn? What exactly is he training to be, and should he go through the training and decide this specific job is not right for him- is this a skill that he could transfer/make him marketable for another company?
I know it's overwhelming to consider being a single mom for all that time, and one without an income. But surey there must be some sort of safety net- how can they expect a father with dependents to not have to make some kind of financial accomodations for his family in this situation???
In the long run, it sounds great. In the short run, there are definitely a lot of hoops to jump through before getting to the pot at the end of the rainbow. We'll be here for you as always, LeaAnn!

b&bsmom replied: It sounds like a good opp in the long run. It will be hard but I am sure we will all be here for you. It will go faster than you think and it would be great not to worry about you having to work if you don't want. Also you said he doesn't like where he is now so this could make him happier which would be great in the long run. Good luck to you and I am sure you will keep us posted.

My2Beauties replied:
I know my sentiments exactly. It's like how can you expect us to go without income for 5 weeks plus have to pay for the training. It is a skill he could take elsewhere, if you go to training on July 18th you are guaranteed a position also. They are only taking 10 more people, he finds out on the 5th or the 6th whether or not he passed his tests and got the job. I asked those same questions, your first thought is um...big hoax, they're gonna get you there, make you pay for training and then say ok, you don't qualify sorry and still make you pay! No not the case, she said they guarantee a position once it's all said and done! Thank goodness for that, or I wouldn't even have him waste his time.

Darn it, I thought she lived in West VA So much for that rendez-vous!

My2Beauties replied:
Oh yeah, let me also say this, there is no way in he!! that Brian can continue to roof. He is only 26 years old and it's starting to wear on his body already. He has a bad back, he has problems with his shoulders, he is exposed to the sun way too much in my opinion, he has no health insurance through them (I carry him now though) and he has absolutely no retirement whatsoever, no 401k nothing. They are a small company that employs 13 guys, so they have no benefits to offer! So, regardless Brian can't do this forever, railroad job or not. But the bad thing is, Brian never went to college or anything and he just has his GED, so the possiblity of him making this much money anywhere else is slim to none. He is an outside worker type guy, he could never fathom working indoors in an office, so even that is out of the question for him, he is a hands-on guy (LOL - I thought of a funny but that is for P&I)

jcc64 replied:

Hey LeaAnn- around here- outside worker guys make way more than my college educated behind, so don't knock it.
Besides, they're sooooooooooo cute to look at, don't you think?!

jcc64 replied: Hey LeaAnn- just wanted to say how happy I am to have you back after your little Vegas shindig. Really missed you!!

Boys r us replied: OMG...LeaAnn, He HAS to take this opportunity! It is very very hard to get on with the railroad and they take such VERY good care of their employees! My aunt retired from the railroad as a Logistics engineer and she loved that company!

But, sadly enough..I don't live in W VA i live in just plain old virginia! But obviously they aren't far from each other, depending on where in west va he has to go, I'm sure we could meet up

mysweetpeasWil&Wes replied: Of course we're here for you! I agree with Jeanne that this opportunity is a good stepping stone...if it doesn't work out, meaning he doesn't like it, at least he gained more skills to move him into something else. I'm not saying I'm old or anything, but you and Brian are young...I think it's important to try new opportunities when they come along. You don't want to end up saying "what if"...plus it sounds like you think he should get out of roofing. You'll be fine...seven weeks will fly by!

My2Beauties replied:
Ahem definitely! Yeah he makes more money than I do too, it's just the wear and tear.

My2Beauties replied:
OK I'll find out the city in West VA and PM you later on.

Oh and Jeanne thanks for welcoming me back!!!!!!!! I missed you guys too!

Gammy2 replied: Sounds like a great opportunity for you and your family. I believe it's right about 4 hours from louisville, ky to charleston wv. I live in charleston. Good luck to you and your family.

amymom replied: Great opportunity. I hope it all works out. And the seven weeks will fly by. Look it is already how many weeks past your wedding and you were probably once wondering if that would ever get here.

Good Luck. And we will be here to listen.

JAYMESMOM replied: Welcome Back!!! It will be hard adjusting but trust me you will be so busy with the girls the time will fly right by. Been there done that.

It sounds like an awesome job oopurtunity and it sounds like in the long run it would work out great for you guys. Just remind yourself of that for the 7 weeks.

You will get thru!!

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: I hope everything works out for the best. I am sure it will be hard not to see your DH for that long. I don't know if I could do it. Good Luck

moped replied: I say WONDERFUL - this is great news and in the long run it is going to fabulous!!!!!

You will miss him but absence makes the heart grow fonder!!!!!

This is the best news!!!!!!!

JessC replied: Hope everything works out!!!! Good luck!

coasterqueen replied: My opinion will probably be different than others, but that's why we aren't all the same.

I would have to do a LOT more research on something like that before going further with it. The seven weeks is one thing, you could get through being away from each other but the two years of not knowing your shift, etc...well that's what would be my problem. I like stability, though, and I like it for my family so not knowing schedules would drive us insane. Are you dead sure that in 2 years he'd have a set schedule? I would question why he has to pay for training as well. I've never heard of such a thing. Since this is federal work is it stable? Or could they lay off people tomorrow or could funding get cut all of a sudden?

My DH and I thought a lot of things like this because we've looked at other avenues to *get rich* so one of us didn't have to work or so we'd be *set* at some certain point. My Dh could travel with his job and not work 9 to 5 but we both found it more important for him to be home with his family more often and routinely than to be a rich/better off family. Same thing with certain state jobs around here. We both have thought about going for those types of jobs because of set hours, certain pay, excellent retirement benefits but stability of a job was key for us.

Just make sure you look long and hard at everything and not just the money issue of it. Money isn't everything and it's not going to make you happy. If you had more money, you'd just spend more therefore needing more. Look at how going for a job like this can affect your family if you invest a LOT of time/money/effort into it and it might not in the end be what you want.

If you look long and hard and figure out it's what you think is best for your family that is great and no matter what I'd definitely be here to support you in that .

A&A'smommy replied: Oh honey it sounds like really really hard but it will be SO worth it in the end PLUS you will be able to stay at home with your princess!!! (((((HUGS))))) we will be here for you I can't amagine I would be SOBBING... My husband is going to be gone all next week and I'm already stressing over it and its only a week!! ((((((HUGS)))))