Spent the last month applying to jobs all over the Seattle and Portland area. Didn't get any bites what-so-ever which was pretty humbling, however my old job is about 90% (their words) sure they are going to hire me back. Back to Boeing I go!
One of the techs they retained immediately started looking for a new job and that finally went through, and so they have an opening and my former co-workers put in the good word for me. I'm ok with this as it'll be a new negotiated contract, which from the looks will be about a 25% pay bump, with a few benefits thrown on as well like paid time off.
Hope it works out as I'm looking forward to getting back to work, learning, and finishing off school.