Mamacint: You can import load cases from existing jobs now. Use the [Import Load Cases] button to the right of the load cases.
:facepalm
wow, that was right in front of my face. thank you.
edit: hmm, so the *._j file is the one that keeps the load cases - so I should just be able to go open up a particular model and once all the sub-files unpack I can just copy the "modelname._j" into a template folder and rename it to something descriptive.
This will be tremendously helpful.