$25,000 singing bonuses, true. Only for certain positions and in certain locations. I have been hearing you have to stay on for 3 years to receive the full $25,000.

As for a labor shortage, Yes. It has been a continuing thing with retirements for years now (minus the year or two economy down turn where guys were furloughed). Also a lot of the "new generations" don't want to put up with the railroad BS. They can find about as well paying if not better job in the tech world and not have to deal with working nights, working away from home, 12 hour on duty, management intimidation, being furloughed, and being forced to move to chase seniority.