Sorry to resurrect my old thread, but I wanted to give an update on what I posted. After 6 weeks, I did accept a local job. It is a slight cut in pay (about 7%), same benefits, and not as long hours.
For anyone interested, I will give a quick synopsis. I wanted to stay in the area so it really limited my options. I also considered going out on my own. I put the self-employed route on hold only because of insurance reasons. I was highly encouraged by many of my previous contacts (including the local AB guys) but I just didn't feel the time was right. Maybe in a couple of years.
I actually interviewed at 4-5 places and got 3 hard offers and 1 come on in and we'll hire you. The 1 come on in offer was a contract job at a local Gov't site. They hire/layoff regularly. The pay was excellent ($60/hr) but no benefits and only 18 month contract. I didn't want to go through all this again so I decided against it.
The other offers were OK, one up to a 25% pay cut, but as I said, all a little less than I was making. I'm pretty sure it has to do with my having 20 years as an engineer. I think I've pretty much topped out (at least around here).
Now to go through all the new guy stuff. Having to prove myself to the techs on the floor, learn policies and procedures, and learn all the new equipment.
I am thankful for the job and all the encouragement from everyone here. I did find that it is actually a very lonely position to be in. All the previous people I worked with had to pick up the slack and had very little contact with me (like I was contagious). I now have a new perspective on what others have gone through.
I will go back to my old login (if I can remember the password) and stop posting under unemployed - even though I sometimes liked being unknown.
Again, thank you to everyone who posted encouragement and kind words. Believe it or not, it did help.
