You may want to consider Amtrak. None of this "pool" business and you probably can get by w/o a RV- there just aren't that many bases or traffic fluctuations. In CA it's San Diego, LA, SLO, Oakland, Sacramento, and Merced (engineers only, I think). And you can watch all the freight trains you want!
Actually, I'm with OBS (On Board Service) as an LSA (Coffee Guy). The hours are pretty brutal, most days are well over 12 hours (I have one 19hr shift). And they're separated by short nights- rarely more than 5hrs sleep. Long hauls can be a bit of a death march.
But here's the thing: I work about 105- 110 days a year, and I've never had less than a 4 day "week end" in 30yrs. I'm going to "pull the pin" in about 2 years with no regrets and a lifetime Amtrak pass (be watching- I'm going to sell my seniority date on Craig's List!).
I plan to roam the country freely.
SR Bush
Dutch Flat