AZ Upgrade CDL B to A, lose airbrake endorsement

Anyone here dealt with this?

I have had a CDL B with passenger and airbrakes for 15 years. I don't use it for work anymore but do volunteer drive for our church, youth groups of kids to camp every other month or so in old airbrake buses.

Bought a trailer for myself that has a 25k gvwr so I need the class A.

No problem. I took the written and scheduled the road test.

Went in for the road test this morning and was told that because the CDL A combination I brought (my f350 and trailer) doesn't have airbrakes, I will lose the airbrake endorsement and gain an airbrake restriction, so I won't be legally allowed to drive the buses of kids anymore. I was flabbergasted. Makes no sense, put the restriction on the combination but why are you taking away my endorsement on the B passenger vehicles?! I took the airbrake tests years ago.

I'm furious.

Have any of you directly experienced this in Arizona?

 

Fixed.

Never give up. It took some research and several calls, but long story short the AZ CDL examiners training manual is based on the FMCSA's guidance and the two didn't jive. They're adding this to the list of items to update.

I will still have E and O restrictions, no manual transmission, and no truck/tractor with semi trailer, because I'm getting the A with an auto F350 and gooseneck trailer, but I'll be legal to drive bus with airbrakes, and my truck and trailer.

Win.