CDL-A or CDL-B? I got my CDL-B permit with "S" and "P" endorsements (and questions!)

Wow, I haven't been on this site in a long time...

Here's the deal: I am retired military, 51 yrs old, got my retirement pension, healthcare, VA benefits, etc... Worked for years and years and years in the computer/I.T. industry sitting behind a desk. Now, as you all know and as everyone knows, the computer jobs are gone. The whole I.T. industry is gone and dried up and/or got contracted overseas, and it ain't coming back.

I spent the last year or so working part time for a supposed "friend", running his small electrical company's office (customer service, computers, accounts payable/receivable, and heck, anything else that I could to do help out). Then business took a turn for the worse, and he fired an electrician, laid off a part time journeyman/helper, and sadly, let me go too. He'll run the office along with his other master electrician/right hand man - the two will "tag team" office duties (Good luck <expletive> I hope you can maintain the accounting system that I setup for you!).

So now here we are. I can't live on just my military retirement and my wife's salary either. I mean, yeah, we've got a nice house, kids in college, etc... cars paid off, etc.. So I figured since the computer jobs are nowhere to be found, I'd maybe try to "reinvent" myself and learn to become a truck driver.

But then I've read plenty of horror stories about people being away from home for like 3-4 weeks at a time. Honest - and I don't want to sound all crazy or anything - So I'll admit it right here and now: That idea DOES NOT exactly thrill me. You see, I've got a nice happy marriage, great kids, I'm active in my neighborhood community, and also one of the Freemasons and active in my lodge. I can't see myself hopping in an 18 wheeler and next thing I know, I'm heading for Wichita, Kansas you know what I mean?

So... I figured maybe I'd get my CDL-B and drive a school bus or a mass transit bus or something. Maybe work for a quarry and drive a dump truck full of gravel. I don't know... I just figured that maybe for someone like me, it's a better idea to get the CDL-B and drive locally around town. Heck, maybe even drive a cab or an airport shuttle van. There's lots of things to do with a CDL-B. I just have to find a place that will allow me to use a truck or van or whatever and get my road test done and get my full CDL-B license.

With all this rambling, I hope you all understand where I'm coming from and can give me some serious advice. I'm all open to ideas, suggestions, etc... I think it's great that you all drive the big 18 wheelers and stuff. I admire you all for doing that. But for me, I just feel that my heart would not be in it and it would seriously put a hamper on my home life.

What do you think?

 

Thanks, guys... That's what I pretty much figured.

Getting a CDL-A with absolutely 0 experience means going with a starter company and hitting the road for extended periods of time. It's just not for me though. Going with the CDL-B and staying local seems like a better option.

Anyway, with all that said: You guys who drive all over the place and have to put up with so much hassle - you all have my utmost respect!