I feel really really bad for his children. Talk about a huge lifestyle change they are going to incur.
Seems like the steward did what he could, and if you try and fight it - you're stupid. Sorry, but don't you think this place crawls with management too? You admitted on here, you posted your location (New Jersey) and you resigned.
You already sealed your fate former brother.
My sister was killed by a drunk driver, I'm sure he is "sorry" as well, but that won't bring her back. Point is, 1 little mistake can screw your life over for good.
Good luck with your future job search, consider yourself lucky they let you resign so you can be gainfully employed in the future. I would seek out working for the Transit Authority, or delivering beer/pepsi/coke etc to gain Class A CDLexperience to get on with one of the freight companies.
If you have a college degree, now is the time to fall back on that. This job pays well, but it owns you. It can give you everything and take it away in an instant like this.