Coupla flatbed questions

Appreciate the ongoing answers here. Your screen name prompts another question...do a lot of companies still have trucks with a manual transmission on hand for drivers who prefer them?

Finding I don't really like having an automatic car after driving a stick for 14 years...it often doesn't seem to shift at the optimal time. I'm guessing that's because it's programmed for efficiency and not performance within the power band.

 

Wasn't really thinking as much in terms of pay (though people do say flatbed often pays higher) as much as I want to try the "geeking out" on the best way to strap and tarp for safe delivery. I've learned that as long as you're willing to fork out for quality outdoor gear, weather is not that big of a deal. I'm in Maine though...I can see where guys from Florida might think differently there.

At first glance, I think a long term goal would be to work my way up to be the dude pulling a house down the interstate with the entourage and police escorts. Who knows what's going to happen, but gotta have goals, right?

 

Quick update:

I am enrolled and have a date of 8 November to start CDL school (added bonus only 20 minutes away), so I should be finished and licensed with time to spare before Christmas. I was indeed able to find an alternate vet program through the both the state and the VA so I won't have to use actual GI Bill...thanks to @staceydude for suggesting a deeper dive into those options. Will be nice to have the flexibility to go with whichever company.

I also appreciate all the company suggestions from @Chinatown et al. I quickly copied down a list of recruiters that come to the school...Melton and Prime were the flatbed names I recognized, along with a number of other companies I'll need to research. No TMC as expected, though I'll probably call as suggested to see if they bend their hiring map for folks seeking OTR.

I'm sure I'll have more questions to throw out before long...many thanks!