EDIT: I had a pro-America diatribe here, which was probably too political. I’m a patriot, what can I say?
SO… My thought… You asked about truckers… I don’t know. But I know that there are lots of railroads in the US that are hiring. Personally, as a train buff, I would feel a little bit like a traitor driving freight on a truck that could be on a train, unless it was delivering freight that had already gone by train.
You know, Norfolk Southern’s looking at building a parallel to I83 along the Appalachians to capture more intermodal. I wonder if they’ll need more conductors?
Also, CSX is supposed to be considering adding additional tracks to its former SCL line through teh Carolinas.
I think the job market on America’s Class I railroads is looking good, although I can only imagine it’s very hard work and long hours.
Can anyone relate this to railroad salaries? After all, this is a train forum, even model trains, and if we stray to far afield this thread will be locked as being too off-topic. (We’re also treading close to the No Politics rule.)
From numerous other threads, the best way to become a rich model railroader is to start out as a very rich model railroader! [:-^]
In comparing European & US taxation, we all need to remember a few things [I can’t and won’t swear by any of this — it’s what I have been told]
Most European countries have government-supplied health care and other perks that lots of Americans consider “socialist.”
In a number of Eupropean countries everyone has 5 weeks’ vacation by law. Also, some have more holidays than Americans can conceive of [I think Germany is the record holder in that regard]. And in Europe a holiday means a holiday! The country shuts down. Here in the states most holidays are just more days to go to the mall, where of course all the poor employees are slaving away. In the name of capitalism we have forgotten how to observe holidays.
Don’t come to Florida. It’s a “Right To Work” State. That’s NewSpeak for no unions, no vacations, no holidays etc.
My cousin has a teaching degree and gave it up. Made $28k a year in Michigan. He does CAD at home free lance now. His wife sells cars for a Chevy Dealer.
Now that I’m on a fixed disability income, I’m actually looking to leave the US. I need to find some place where my meager income will buy me more that dog food in the future. That’s what I have to look forward to. “Oh Sweetheart, we can eat good this month, the store has a special on Alpo.” Central America is enticing and the climate is warm all year round.
The USofA is much like Switzerland: different parts of the country have different rules. Where I live (California), expect about 35-50% beyond about $15K of your income will be spent for federal, state, and local taxes, assuming you are “middle class” (between $50K and $100K). This includes federal and state income taxes, sales tax on non-food items, special taxes pertaining to communication and tires, etc, property taxes on your home, etc., etc.
The majority political party (Democratic) in California is socialist. Fifty years ago, there was no California income tax, now it is about 11%, sales taxes were 4% verses the current 8-9%. And despite the doubling and more of taxes, we have moved from the best and free public colleges/universities in the nation to a state expecting four-digit figures for college tuition and with the roads not properly maintained. Local governments have even found it necessary to assess extra taxes to keep roads from failure!
Regardless, check out Alaska. They have a negative state income tax because of oil revenues (the state pays you for living there). If you live close to the southern coast, the climate is relatively mild, and probably similar (long days or long nights, depending upon the season) to what you might experience in coastal Sweden. Just be prepared for isolation, rain, and bears attacking garbage cans.
Or live in the southern part of the state of Washington. Washington has no state income tax. Cross the Columbia river to Oregon and pay no sales tax when doing your shopping. You will also have the advantage of travelling without a ship or an airplane to visit mainland USA. Just get in your car and go.
In the twenty-some countries I have visited, I’ve always found the citizens to be friendly. I have concluded that people feel it is a compliment that someone would s