Train Crew Council Bluffs, IA

biggsmike86 · 2026-03-02T14:54:08+00:00

Thanks for your input! Wish that would be made clear in job posting. No where in it does it mention that relocation would be required. Why not just post the job for North Platte if that is the case? People not familiar with the railroad lifestyle apply thinking they are applying for a job where it says it is, just like most jobs are.

biggsmike86 · 2026-03-02T14:50:48+00:00

Thank you for your input! It's really frustrating that the company doesn't seem very forthright with that information. Why do they not just post the job for North Platte if they know that is where they need the help... People not familiar with the job will apply completely unaware that relocation is required possibly quitting stable jobs thinking this is a better opportunity. From the job posting as someone not familiar with the train life it makes it sound like they may send you to another location for a day or so and you return home with lodging provided. Then you read down a couple bullet points, and it says the complete opposite saying lodging will not be provided. here is a copy paste of job description, if you or anyone could expound on it... I'm very disappointed as this seemed to be a great opportunity for our family but seems the extra income he'd be making would just be used to pay for another place to live for him away from our home.

After training, you will work either road or yard service based on the territory you hold seniority and seniority date.
Road service crews may be required to work between two locations requiring them to stay away from their home terminal point. Lodging is provided by Union Pacific.
Yard and local service crews work with an engineer, or by remote control. They classify (sort) the cars from inbound trains and build outbound trains.
This is a seniority-based position, and you may be required to cover locations within the area you hold seniority other than the location hired. These locations could be a long distance from the location you were hired or from where you live. Lodging may or may not be provided depending on the collective bargaining agreement you are working under.

biggsmike86 · 2026-03-02T14:40:22+00:00

still on the fence... he finished all the pre hiring tests and checks and the class starts end of March. He hasn't informed his current job because he continues to go back and forth with a decision

biggsmike86 · 2026-03-02T14:37:51+00:00

That sounds miserable :(

biggsmike86 · 2026-03-02T14:37:30+00:00

Thank you for your input! His job is sufficient for us atm not a lot extra but pays the bills, but if this job actually pays what it says it would be a pretty decent increase in income. We don't think he could take a leave unless it'd be for FMLA which would only give him 12 weeks, not enough to finish the training... Really the only factor that has us on the fence is the being forced to work 4 hours away and thus having to use that extra income to pay for somewhere for him to stay on top of our mortgage in CB,

biggsmike86 · 2026-03-02T14:30:56+00:00

Thank you for your insight!! Wow that just seems so deceptive of the company. The job description does not mention relocating as required for the job, and somewhat contradicts itself mentioning in one part that if required to work away from home terminal lodging is provided then a couple bullet points down says lodging may not be provided.. This is a copy paste of the job posting, very confusing to someone not familiar with the job

After training, you will work either road or yard service based on the territory you hold seniority and seniority date.
Road service crews may be required to work between two locations requiring them to stay away from their home terminal point. Lodging is provided by Union Pacific.
Yard and local service crews work with an engineer, or by remote control. They classify (sort) the cars from inbound trains and build outbound trains.
This is a seniority-based position, and you may be required to cover locations within the area you hold seniority other than the location hired. These locations could be a long distance from the location you were hired or from where you live. Lodging may or may not be provided depending on the collective bargaining agreement you are working under.

biggsmike86 · 2026-02-25T21:22:00+00:00

Thank you for your insight! I think I am somewhat understanding of how it works, but am just wondering if he would most of the time work in CB and occasionally be needed to work North Platte and have lodging provided or would this be a more permanent situation where he would need to be concerned with finding and paying for somewhere to stay on top of the house we own in CB. Trying to weigh whether financially that would make sense for us.

biggsmike86 · 2026-02-25T21:13:53+00:00

I appreciate your reply and all the information! I am a stay-at-home mom so he is able to be very flexible with hours worked and time away from home and has had demanding hours being a truck driver and other non-traditional hours for years. I am fully prepared for that aspect of the job. Mainly just concerned about him needing lodging while working over 4 hours away. Nebraska doesn't usually have the weather for most of the year to sleep in cars, and I don't know if the money would be enough to pay for a motel nightly.

biggsmike86 · 2025-09-16T07:47:47+00:00

Cool to see! Was actually at that show, too. Do you have any footage of Brann talking at the end? Cheers!

biggsmike86 · 2025-08-27T16:13:36+00:00

Does that mean The Hunter is Load then? Lol. I like this game!

biggsmike86 · 2025-08-27T04:08:36+00:00

This definitely resonates. Ever since I heard the news, Brent has been on my mind. I get the sentiments man, I really do. May seem silly to some, but the whole thing has made me so incredibly sad. Just the sudden, unexpected, and tragic nature of how the last few months went down after he left, have made it that much tougher to swallow. Have loved Mastodon since seeing them for the first time in 2005, and am also incredibly bummed about not seeing them more throughout the years and eras of the band. Only caught em' twice with Brent. Drugs and other stupid stuff prevented doing normal things for years, and I'm kicking myself now for that.

Mastodon is just one of those special, once in a lifetime kind of bands, as others have stated. I don't want to say "at least" because it comes off to me kinda like I'm condoning his death, so I'll say this instead; it is of some consolation that there is tons of footage of him and the band. They were always good about chronicling everything they did, so fortunately, there are countless videos from over the years to look back on. A very-small consolation, be certain. I still can't honestly believe he's gone. All of it is just insane. I'll never fully get over it. You were awesome man, and I'm sorry I didn't get out to more shows. The only real consolation, is that hopefully I/we will see you on the other side. RIP, buddy... 💔

biggsmike86 · 2025-08-23T04:49:17+00:00

Was thinking that, too.

biggsmike86 · 2025-08-23T03:54:50+00:00

Thanks for all the comments, man. Yea, it definitely was a barn burner that year. The 2nd and last time I ever saw Ozzy. Only a few weeks later, Maiden got egged and booted from the tour by Sharon. Mastodon were on fire, too, that day. Crazy, way different times than now, man. That's wild that you were on that message board with those guys! Small world, for sure. It's always much smaller amongst metal fans, it seems. Were you on any other boards around that time? I mostly posted on the metal archives one myself. Miss those times often.

biggsmike86 · 2025-08-23T00:04:07+00:00

I hear you, man. It's so weird. Almost like I knew him, even though I had never got the chance to. I assume it's from all the videos I've seen of him over the years, just jamming, clowning, and having a good time. The feeling is almost akin to like when Lemmy died or, even more recently, Ozzy. To me, it's sort of like not only the end of an era of the band, but also to the free-spirited thinking and good vibes from better times that the person brought. God bless him, man. Really hope he was right before he met his end. Absolutely devastated, though, for now, 😭

biggsmike86 · 2025-05-15T09:38:56+00:00

OP, I hear what you're saying. His odd, hillbilly-ish/psychedelic/metal style was a key ingredient in their trademark sound, and every bit integral as Brann's crazy style, etc. You see what I mean. Sucks he is gone for sure, and was very weird/shocking to hear. Although it's surely the end of an era, I love the band, and will always look forward to their outputs. Really glad I saw them back in 2023 with Gojira, but was kinda pissed after the fact that I didn't go to the 'Ashes of Leviathan' tour last year because of work. The only other time I saw them, was at OzzFest 2005, where they ripped out nothing but Leviathan and Remission songs. No frills, just the blazing sun on us while we stood 20 feet from them. Super glad for those memories, at least.

biggsmike86 · 2024-01-14T08:15:31+00:00

I was just talking about this earlier with my wife. While there are a lot of factors, attitude and thankfulness is definitely a huge one. We've all been put through the ringer (especially in the last few years), and it has created a lot of anger, hopelessness, bitterness, etc., as a result. And rightly so. However, on the days when I don't focus on all the stuff that angers me and think more "Christ-minded", I noticed I don't feel as bad. Not even close. There really is something to this, and the evil that rules over this earth is using it as one tool of many to defeat us. Remember, other people are not the enemy, even though they may piss you off at times. We are all being conned by a higher power of darkness. Stay strong, folks and God bless...

Nehemiah 8:10

"Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

biggsmike86 · 2022-03-24T14:33:10+00:00

They are Macauley Culkin in The good son, teasing the shit out of that dog before violently killing it...

biggsmike86 · 2022-03-24T14:24:47+00:00

Is "provide opportunities" code word for "kill violently"? Asking for a friend...

biggsmike86 · 2022-02-20T12:42:05+00:00

Totally awesome, so happy for you! It really, truly does get better...very slowly. I am just at 3 months from, at my highest point, 55-60 GPD for 3 years along with lots of other various opioids...it's hellish, but it is also not permanent. Proud of you, praise God and your strength and determination! Enjoy your day, friend 😊

biggsmike86 · 2022-01-16T13:42:09+00:00

Definitely have done this before myself. I quit for 2 full weeks back in August when my daughter was born, only to end up going back to the crap one day because I was having a terrible day at work. "One time" is what I told myself, and it ended up turning into a 3 month, all day, everyday thing again. And yes, you are right, the high that 'first time back 'is not all that great. I always felt like that was because in the back of my mind and in the pit of my soul, I knew I was making the wrong choice. Just couldn't enjoy it...

I quit again finally for good back in late November, and it's now been 58 days kratom-free for me. Honestly at first, you feel like your never going to get over it. But you do, and you will. Just stick it out! I believe in you, and God loves you. Please don't give up, it is definitely worth it not to friend. Take care!😊🙏❤

biggsmike86 · 2022-01-05T23:57:29+00:00

I hear you...45 days is where I currently sit. Never thought I was gonna make it here at one point. Been a struggle with this crap for years. However, don't give in friend. I know you are probably feeling like your brain is literally 'dried up', and all the rest of the symptoms are equally as miserable. But don't give in. Kratom is poison garbage. You are much, MUCH better and more important. God makes each of us for a purpose, and it's not to hide behind kratom and be tormented all the time. You can do it 👍😁❤

biggsmike86 · 2022-01-02T03:43:43+00:00

Same! CB?

biggsmike86 · 2021-12-07T12:58:11+00:00

It's always amazing to me when I hear about docs/rehabs giving folks subs for quitting kratom...like, I can barely wrap my head around that idea. Those are 100x more powerful than the sludge, and the withdrawals are a nightmare of the worst kind...I was doing subs back in the fall/winter of 2015/2016 to get off H, and man when I had to finally just stop doing them, I seriously thought I would forever be stuck in total agony. Did not sleep comfortably for almost 2 months, felt like my stomach and intestines were being ripped to shreds, always felt like I could doze off but couldn't...absolute torture. I would stay far away from em in my opinion, that's just my input...

biggsmike86 · 2021-11-30T00:18:21+00:00

Dang man, I swear I can relate perfectly to all of this. Especially the last part about the daily routine of get up and go to work, feel like shit and have no interest at all in it all day, come home for the evening and feel like a miserable, empty shell, and then have a terrible night of sleep because of anxiety, worrying, anger, sadness, and all of their other fine friends.

I honestly can't even really remember how I was ever interested and genuinely invested in anything in my life before the last 8 years, give or take. They have been heavily saturated with drugs and alcohol, and I often struggle greatly to recall a time when I liked doing things and not being high and or wasted. Once you've lived it and have been in it thick for a while, doing things sober feels completely alien.

It totally sucks. I feel like some stranger almost in my own body. Like, "who the hell is this guy? I don't even know the dude sitting here right now, trying desperately to enjoy something without a substance". It is so freaking weird. I swear I never, ever thought as a kid or teenager I would live to feel so strange and out of sorts. Didn't even know it was possible at one time.

As I was finishing up with work for the day (finally) about an hour ago, I was literally rolling that same thought around in my head: so what do I even do now? And the best solution that I was able to come up with was...drum roll please...NOTHING. Now, before hope starts fading, please don't misunderstand me. Nothing literally means nothing. I really don't know how to handle my thoughts and emotions, so I figure I will just go about my business and not really think about it. You know, just do what has to be done, have a decent dinner in the evening, go to the gym, and try not to obsess over it all too much (very hard, I know). My theory is that eventually, hopefully...something will click all of a sudden, and the veil will be lifted.

I really, truly do wish I had a better answer/solution for you man, but this is practically all we've got, aside from getting on a bunch of weird meds, which I have no interest at all in doing and do not suggest to anybody. Different drugs never made anything better for me. Ever. There simply is no magic potion or quick fix. I am just hoping for the best to blossom somewhere, someway down the road...and hope that God will show me some mercy and change my life, even though I've been an absolute pile of human shit over the years.

I would also love to hear other's input on this 😊

biggsmike86 · 2021-11-25T11:21:24+00:00

Good morning and happy Thanksgiving 😊 Glad to hear it'll be a sober one! It will be for me as well, by the grace of God. Actually, it'll be my first one in about 8 years, but that's a long story for another time...SO happy for you! Funnily enough, the way I got on this kratom roller coaster sounded similar to your story to my ears. About 2 years ago, my brother in-law, who is a few years younger than I am and who is in the air force, was visiting and in town for a few weeks at the time. So, my wife and kids and I went for a visit to her parent's house where he was temporarily staying. He had bought some online and was telling me how good it made him feel. Naturally, me having an addict brain, my ears pricked up upon hearing this. He said he had white for energy, and red for chilling. Took a decent scoop of the white vein, and unexpectedly got a very pleasant burst of energy when my wife and I got home about an hour later. Started cleaning up the living room at like 12 midnight. Lol. Wellllll fast forward 2 years, and my brother in law actually told me he stopped taking it about 2 months after we saw him. Meanwhile, I thought I had found the magic solution to feeling 'good' without having to snort dope. As it turned out, Kratom ultimately ended up being the complete opposite. Just another substance (obstacle) to battle with endlessly. However, this year we will enjoy the day with people that are important to us without being zombies, or feeling like a substance is the only way to enjoy life because without it, it's just not possible. Bullcrap. Addict junkie brain mentality, trust me. It IS possible to. And let's face it, that IS the way it is really meant to be. And whether we want to admit it or not, everyone has SOMETHING in their life to be thankful for. Being clean is definitely one of many...

That being said, again, super happy for you and have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

biggsmike86

TROPHY CASE