Is yard hostling a good job for someone that can't find a driving job?

Well dangit, sorry to "hear" that.

 

Biggest reason I see you having problems is the truck abandonment. Companies can overlook a lot of stuff, but someone who will leave a 150,000$ truck, a 50,000$ tailer and a full load of product, is not someone I would take a chance with. Truck Abandonment is about the worst thing to have on your DAC. I would do anything to get that cleared up. Not saying you did it, but all a new company can go by is what's on the DAC.

 

I would recommend not downgrading your license. 60-80$ every two years to keep it active. Never know when it will come in handy.

 

Don't downgrade, there's a simpler solution.

At your convenience (and prior to your med expiring), re-submit your self-certification to the DMV, only this time certify yourself as "exempt intrastate." This exempts you from having to maintain a med cert., and only restricts you from driving commercially during that time. Whenever you decide to return to trucking, get a new med cert. and re-certify "Non-exempt Interstate" and you will once again be allowed to drive commercially.

 

A lot of the ports and railroads are hiring yard hostlers, depending on the location, the pay ranges from minimum wage to decent. L.A./Long Beach hostlers are $120K+ paying jobs.

 

No intermodal railyard ramps within a reasonable distance?