Careershopping.

Hi people. I put this off from consideration for a number of years but at 56, I'm in need of a new career direction. I put off driving thinking I may want to have the family life again, Nah! Now after the job market went down the toilet, jobs just aren't there. I'm a good candidate for over the road. I don't have family ties to one location, just an apartment in San Antonio for my junk. I don't have a CDL but feel the crunch to head this direction. I was just put on a partial layoff at Toyota and really don't like the company anyhow.
I'd be appreciative to any advice you all can give me. Is it otr good to get into if your foot loose? Is it better to be regional, long haul, or local? What about these paid driver training companies, any good? I'll be stuck using that to get my foot in the door. Is there age discrimination in that field? I've heard about lease to own companies screwing you on runs, what is the best option for a new flyer? Are their any reliable firms in the San Antonio area? By the way, My name is Doug. My home origin is Lake Station, In. but fed up with shoveling snow, I traveled. Lived in Orange, Ca. for 8 yrs, Portland, Or. for 3 years, and now in the frying pan, San Antonio, 1.5 years now. I know the Chicago area used to be the center of the universe for the rail system, is there a better area network for trucking? Thanks for any advice folks!