I have an interview next week with a railroad, though I don't really want the job. Well, it's not that I don't want the job, it's mainly I'm feeling indifferent about it. The pay and benefits are good, and I am unfortunately out of work right now. I've been taking flying lessons actually, and really enjoy it. I have been considering becoming a commercial pilot. Your earning potential as a pilot is a lot higher than on the railroad. It'll be hard to pursue a career as a pilot and work on the railroad however. Flying requires virtually a full-time commitment to become proficient.
Long road ahead to be a pilot, unless you come from the military. Years ago, picked up my SEL just for fun, and then paid to convey that to MEL, instrument and commercial ratings. Plan was to get a job just flying checks, which was common then. By the time I reached all those, 1995, check flying had pretty much gone. Couldn't afford to convert avgas into noise anymore.
Friend of mine, police officer. Retired from Navy after 20, rank of commander, C130 guy, TACAMOs. Lots of heavy turboprop time. Went to the airlines, and was flying commuter for 25,000 a year. HUH? Airlines, got to start at the bottom and work up. Quit the airlines and became a cop.
Kinda wish I could have gone to the railroads when I retired from Navy, but went to the cops instead. Got two nice retirement checks but never go to ride a locomotive.