Another sorta newbie question

I have been driving off and on for over 30 yrs.
I drove in the military bring airdrop loads and 25K forklifts back from the drop zones around the world.
I was a airborne trucker on C-130s for 23 years and 747s for 6yrs.
I got my CDL when I retired "2003" and used it for everything except for OTR.
I have since Apr gone back through a CDL school since I did not do that to get me CDL.
I have all my endorsements. As well as OSHA 10 Hr,Hess,Osha Forklift,Pilot Car Cert.
I have driven through Mt and Canada helping a friend out in his truck,Driven a Frac Water heater in the oilfields and driven a Side dumper from Devils Lake to Anchorage AK. I loved the driving part so far and the trip up the ALCAN roller coaster was the best.
I posted a Resume last night and got easily 75 replies from companies of all sizes.
The two companies that I would really like to drive for Transx on their CANx route or Prime have not even bothered to call me back.I had this problem last year with Prime as well.
I got a call from SWIFT ,but I do not see a lot of good things about them on here. They did however call.
I have also spoken to Trans systems about doing a line haul to Canada.
I am located along the Hi Line on Hwy 2 in Montana and moved here hoping to be able to get a job easier then in Alaska. Everyone seems to want me to move to drive for them? With The HWY 2 and 85 close by I would have chosen a place with a decent shot at a drive ,but I am beginning to think not.
I want to drive OTR for a few years and then get my own truck. I know it is silly to think about making money owning my own truck.
I guess my question is how do I go about weeding the Bad companies from the good? My wife loved Prime 10 yrs ago but they seem to be a different company now?
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks

Hopefully a soon to be employed Trucker.

 

Elite.
I was hoping to get something figured out without bothering them.

 

I have seen trucks of all companies and descriptions running the hwy by my house.
Dick Irwin is just down the road,But when I ran with my buddy that is who he worked for.
They have computers straight out of the 80's and still dispatch from a day planner. It was not a good experience.
I am leaning towards Trans Systems now even though it will be way more time away from home then I would like. The pay looks good and it is the same run for the most part. Plus it stops by the house every other day for timing out so I could at least do dinner with the family. It is a 4-1 scheduled run. But the off time is a day away from home travel time. I am used to being gone overseas for 20 days a month so this should not be a problem.
I just talked to my buddy and he said Prime is running a 30 in sleeper and that the trucks are governed to 57 mph so they are now out of the question.

 

Yes and they are actually on my list.
I have heard some good things about them and hope to hear back from them on Mon.
Only draw back I have heard is they have a 10 day orientation?