Should I go back to CDL school to get manual experience?

Post your location and Chinatown can help you find some companies. Personally I don't think you will have any problems finding a job. Some people like autos more than manuals, nothing wrong with that.

I wouldn't spend thousands of dollars just for manual transmission training.

 

It all depends on what you want to do in trucking. You need to first determine that.

 

You don't need school. Hire on with a company and ask for a refresher. Tell the company you're rusty and need to refresh before going solo.

 

Pride Transport has stick shifts and automatics. Also hires drivers with a gap in driving.
@Snowshoes works there.
Company Driver Trucking Jobs | Pride Transport
Refrigerator, 32" TV, optimized idle, power inverter and APUs available, satellite radio

 

Can't find em',,grind em',,was the order of the day. I wouldn't waste any more time "learning", automatics are the norm, or will be. Even if you did get stuck in a manual, you already know how to drive the truck, unlike years ago, shifting just added to the anxiety of driving such a large vehicle. Most are 10 speeds anyway, and you can probably figure it out, 5 low, 5 high, it's that "splitter" that throws most and I doubt anyone specs a company truck with a 13 speed anymore. Now, GET TO WORK!! You'll be fine as is.

 

If tire chains are required on any of their routes, the company will teach you.
I've never used chains during my whole career and ran 48 states & Canada.

 

You might want to do some YT research, first. I watched this documentary on Aussie trucking and had no idea there was so much lawlessness. They’re not governed, like here. Interviewed drivers doing over 24hr stretches, taking pills, and other such nonsense. Given other documentaries I’ve watched, across various other topics, it’s definitely not a utopia.