He's a signal person. I was a through freight conductor/brakeman/foreman/switchman. Did it for three years and HATED every minute of it. On call 24/7/365. No scheduled off days or holidays, just sitting there waiting for the phone to ring. You couldn't plan anything. If you wanted or needed off, you had to call in sick. I love my new job, I can tell you if I'll be off on any particular day a year from now. With the railroad I couldn't tell you if I was going to be off TONIGHT!