Newbie question about Western Express

So I'm 21 years old, got my CDL license back in June but got a factory job shortly after so I have absolutely zero driving experience outside of trucking school. I've recently been laid off from that job and have decided to finally pursue a trucking career literally a few hours ago. For a while I got the idea that it wasn't worth it and I strayed away from the idea of starting a driving career. But after realizing that there are no jobs in my small town besides fast food, I'm taking the leap. The only 2 companies I've applied to at the moment are Western Express and CR England. I've applied to these 2 because they both offer Refresher Courses which I'm sure I need after not driving for 9 months. I'm going to call both companies tomorrow and see what's up.

I saw an ad for Western Express saying that they now hire 21 year olds, I know it used to be 22 year requirement. They state they give roughly a week long refresher course and then send you out with a trainer.

I'm anxious to know how that refresher course works. Do you get paid during this refresher course? If not can you take any kind of pay advances during it? Where do they conduct it at? I live in Maryland so where would I be going for orientation, TN?

Also, I'm more interested in flatbed than van. How physically difficult is the flatbed training? I'm 21, but I'm a tall skinny guy. Honestly I'd say I'm a little on the weak side if you ask me, how heavy are the tarps and stuff?

How would my home time be as a flatbed driver living in Maryland?

 

No it's not a joke. I never bothered looking at Western before now because they used to have the 22 year old age requirement like I said. No reason to look into to them when I couldn't work for them I thought.

 

Have looked at both now. TMC requires 23 years old. Can't afford to pay for a refresher out of pocket at the moment, and my driving school I went to doesn't do them anyways.