Go for the CDL now, or wait and see if things rebound...

So I've been waffling on this for some time if you've read any of my posts. The plan was to save a good chunk of cash working and then go to a mega for training and suffer for a year and move on. At that time, working and getting a CDL at the same time wouldn't have worked out. But if you've read my posts, you'll know I was recently let go from my job driving (non-CDL CMV 26k and under). Safety said it was poor time management, but when pressed, the head of HR, who is also VP of Ops said I was being laid off subject to recall. They needed to down size a little to stay competitive and I was one of the "low men on the totem pole". From talking to friends who still work there, seems they let 20 or so non-CDL drivers, and about 10 CDL drivers go, as well as eliminating their heavy haul division, and didn't replace any trucks when they were returned off lease. So until I find another driving job, I've gone back to construction and collect partial unemployment to make up the difference. I've filled out over 20 applications, even if they said they weren't currently looking to hire and had 3 interviews with no joy. One secretary said when I asked what the response was to their add, was that they had 20 applications the first day, most had a CDL (for a non-CDL position) and about 150 overall with only half meeting the job requirements. But now that I'm on UC, the state might, if I apply, pay for the CDL and endorsements along with a cost of living stipend. I know how the program works, because they paid for me to go to school for construction and will still pay for me to return to school for my AS in Construction Technology (Master Specialist). Problem with construction was, that no one wanted to hire a skilled guy in his mid 40's (now late 40's) for what I was worth. $12-$15/hr in SoCal is a joke for skilled labor with no advancement opportunities unless you live in 1br apartment with 11 other people who pay rent or you live in a 20 foot trailer in the desert. Considering the number of qualified drivers out there with more skill that I'm competing against, would going to the mega, get the paper and some skills and they try again for regional/local be better than getting the CDL locally and paid by the state and hope for the best, be better in your opinions and why. Or go back to school for construction and get a degree that will be practically worthless because I don't have 10+ years construction experience. Sorry this is so long, just wanted to eliminate any questions I could easily answer in the original post.

 

That's one of the things I mentioned to my "Professional Development" counselor. She said she'd look up the name of the school, but she knows it's in Fontana, CA, and that means it's probably Roadmasters. She said that's the only school they are allowed to use for training.

 

I also contacted 10 or so companies I found on here, non mega carriers that advertise they hire new CDL grads and asked about their requirements as far as what schools in my area they hire from, the only response I got said they hire grads from Long Beach Community College, but they haven't had a CDL school for a year now as far as I know.

 

I also contacted 10 or so companies I found on here, non mega carriers that advertise they hire new CDL grads and asked about their requirements as far as what schools in my area they hire from, the only response I got said they hire grads from Long Beach Community College, but they haven't had a CDL school for a year now as far as I know.

 

Thanks, I've thought of paring the CDL with construction, problem with the construction industry is they want to get 20+ good years out of you. All the construction work I get is through a skilled labor temp agency that offers 70% temp to hire work. I've been offered a few permanent positions that way, unfortunately they only offered $1/hr more than I was already getting paid when guys doing the same job were being paid $25-$35/hr. Yes they had more experience, but I would be the guy replacing them while they move up.