Not much time and only one shot at this. Please help.

Start on unemployment right away. You should qualify since you were let go for a reason beyond your control.

As @Chinatown said look into the WIOA program. It's a government grant that pays for your school and testing etc. It's for the unemployed or low income that is seeking a career change to better themselves.

The best field to get into to make good money is food delivery. It's hard back breaking work, but I know guys that are making $29 hour just starting out. Being almost 60 may make it tough. It depends on the shape your in. I used to throw boxes and we had guys in their 50s doing it.

Don't just look at trucking. Look at warehousing as well. Some companies pay forklift operators good money.

 

Thanks for the update. Let us know how things work out for you.

 

I'd stay with the 25 dollar job.

 

Thnx much...for that update!

Some suggestions as "food for thought"...into the future:

• The CDL job market....as of the time of this writing....is as bad as I've seen since I started driving commercially. This is not to discourage you from pursuing your CDL goals -- but instead for you go forward more informed. Worthwhile opportunities for new drivers still do exist -- IF you know where to look.
• Given a choice between manual shift vs auto shift....at your CDL school -- try to learn on the manual trucks (this will involve "double clutching"). Later -- when you road test for your CDL....if you test out on a manual shift truck -- you won't later have that "auto only" restriction on your new CDL. This may well open up other opportunities for you, in the future (which in the current job market is obviously a good thing to have). Note also: when you test out on a manual shift tractor for your CDL -- your shifting by no means has to be totally smooth, & perfect. Mine certainly was not! Good instructors/examiners know that it takes real time & practice for many new drivers to really get the hang of this skill set. The CDL class is set up ONLY to get you to pass the CDL exam -- NOT to turn into a professional driver -----> that actually comes later, at your first (&/or second) commercial carrier.
• Pay attention to the carriers that visit your class during CDL school (if any in fact do show up). Ask questions (e.g., the lanes/areas you will likely run, the time out on a trainer's truck...you want that to be AT LEAST a few weeks). Get business cards. Try to establish a rapport with the visitors themselves; make sure they get your name. Later on -- one of these people may actually turn out to be your best source for that first CDL job right out of school. These visits from different carriers are one of the main/best advantages of doing CDL school on your own -- vs with a single carrier....& a binding contract.
• Since the current CDL job market blows chunks so badly -- one thing you can do to help turn the tables back in your favor...is (when you get your CDL)...go ahead (as mentioned earlier/above) -- & get ALL the relevant CDL endorsements: tanker, hazmat...& also doubles/triples. These endorsements make you more appealing to many carriers...& also open up more job prospects for you (& often involve better pay).
• Some starter carriers....hurting to put drivers on certain accounts...may try to get you to sign on to a dedicated account...servicing one of the "dollar store" chains. As a new driver -- don't fall for this trap. As mentioned earlier -- avoid any/all "dollar store" jobs/accounts...especially as a rookie driver. Accounts/jobs servicing the "big box" retailers are MUCH BETTER choices for beginners: Target, Home Depot, Lowe's, Bass Pro Shops, Costco, Walmart...are easy examples. These accounts/destinations will instead actually give you a fair chance at decent experience as a beginner.
• If at all possible -- avoid the follow carriers....especially for your 1st job out of CDL school:

• Western Express
• C R England
• Pam Transport
• CRST
• TransAm
• ANY "1099" carrier or job
• ANY carrier that tries to talk you into a lease...or lease/purchase program...as a new driver. Learn to drive (elsewhere) -- 1st!!!
• Any carrier that doesn't already have an established, tried-&-true, dedicated learning/training regimen for brand new drivers. Also -- even as a brand new driver....with no previous CDL experience...you should start out making above 40 cents per mile.

​

Best of luck....

-- L

 

I’d consider keeping the $25 hr job if it has decent benifits , and pick up a part
Time job to make up the other money you need

 

I would keep it also, would suggest maybe all alternatives too oil field,road construction the road construction won't charge you money to use their equipment for the test if you find a good one. There is also surveyors who do a lot of walking but when you move up your pay will greatly increase my brother specialized in oil field sector when he was a surveyor.

 

Be sure you understand that trucking is A LOT OF HOURS (it has 2 DOT clocks: one is 11 hours, the other 14)....& thus -- trucking is not like a regular job -- IT IS ALSO A LIFESTYLE.

In many cases -- you disappear from your family & friends' lives; many trucking jobs have irregular/alternating schedules....so you can't/don't see people on a regular basis. Since you spend most of your day seated, it's difficult to stay in shape physically.

Also: the influx of drivers from overseas has considerably diminished the quality of life (& also, wages) for truckers legally born in the US -- you can see evidence of some of this all the time at many truckstops.

Trucking wages HAVE NOT kept up with inflation rates.

For the time being -- there is NO driver shortage. Only a shortage of truly good ones.

In short -- yes, trucking will likely keep you employed (assuming you maintain a good safety record)....but it's definitely no picnic.

-- L