>I don't think one thing the HR manager said was correct, that Social Security counted towards RRB.

It does if you retire under the RRB, although only towards the monthly pension figure. It doesn't count for the 30 years service/60 years of age requirement.

>the younger generation is not willing to consider the working conditions.

Two of the big reasons for this are the Unfriendly People's management practises and policies, which are so employee-hostile, and things like that crazy, nonsensical pre-hiring test they make you take. I've spoken with a number of people who have, and they all say the same thing: "Is this for real?"

It's not much defferent with the Bigger Now Still F****d, and especially the Nazi Southern and ChickenS***t eXpress. And I didn't make those monnikers up, the RRs' own employees did. slAmtrak is mindlessly sailing down the same track.

And the general public wonders why train derailements and accidents are up, not to mention oil trains.