I think starting in a manual if possible is good, keeps you open to more driving opportunities. I had a 10 Eaton manual for 6 months, then I got a 12 speed Detroit Auto, and I absolutely love it.
I love driving my 5 speed Mustang, I don't care for it in a truck.
In my opinion, a lot of the automatic transmission argument is old timers associating the skill of shifting with the skill of driving a truck, and wanting to still feel valuable to the industry for it. The way I see it, I don't get paid extra to shift gears, so I'll let the truck do it for me.
If you want flatbed then you have options otherwise dry van ur looking at maverick and averitt. Averitts not a bad training company but after that youll want to get out in order to make money.