Flatbedding for a greenhorn!

Forgive the ignorance (especially after you hear what my dad did for a living most of his life), but I'm starting to get serious about wanting to get my A class and start flat-bedding. My dad was the GM of a flatbedding company here in Michigan for about 20 years, Modular Transportation. Before that, he worked in the offices at Buchanan H&R and Tennessee Steel Haulers. He never drove and he's been retired for going on about 15 years now, and as we all know the times never stop changing so he can't really give me much insight as to where to set my sights.

I have ALWAYS drooled over long hood trucks with a nice spread axle skateboard. But i've also been too distracted or had other stuff going on so I never really pursued it. UNTIL NOW. I don't just wanna be a door-opener, I literally have ZERO interest in it. I wanna get out and get my hands dirty. Ya know.. actually work a little. Super strong work ethic, pretty smart too so I can pick up on the securement and tarp techniques super quick if given the opportunity. Which brings me to the whole reason I made this rambling post..

Is it unrealistic for me to want to start flatbedding right out of the gate? Something tells me a lot of companies just won't even touch a newbie with a ten-foot pole, I suppose there are a few exceptions like TMC, but I don't live in a state that qualifies me for their school. It just seems like doing anything else will be a (nearly) total waste of time, because virtually none of what I would be learning in dryvan or reefer would apply to open-deck loads. If I'm wrong in assuming that, please correct me, But no matter what, flatbedding in a 379/389 Pete with a 250+ wheelbase is my end game. No doubt about it.

My best bet would be to get a Class A out of my own pocket and go from there with my fingers crossed, right? Companies to avoid? I'm 27, not sure if age is something they consider when looking at new hires for flatbed.. Just looking for some help getting pointed in the right direction. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated, crack jokes if you want, whatever, don't matter. Thanks a ton for reading this novel, didn't expect it to go this way but whatever haha.

Included a few screenshots of a 389 I made in ATS based on one of the infamous Rollin Transport trucks. (Yes I do have his matching conestoga but I felt like step-decking it tonight)

 

Also, please move or delete this post as necessary,