Knee Sugery

I had knee surgery in March. I was up front with 2 flatbed companies about it. I have a clearance letter signed by the surgeon who performed the surgery clearing me for flatbed work. It is also documented on my long form physical that I got before I got my permit. (Torn meniscus) My background checks came back good, but after my package went up to the hiring board, my applications were denied. The recruiters did not give me a reason and said they weren't given one to tell me. Just that my applications were denied. The first company told me to reapply in 6 months. The second just said sorry. I just got off the phone with a third flatbed company. They told me when I was all the way done with physical therapy, call them back and we can go from there.

Basically I am asking, is it a bad idea to try to start flatbedding 6 months after knee surgery? I will be done with the military in the end of Aug and want to start right after that. I am finishing school next week and testing for my CDL next Monday. I am back to running a mile and my pain is minimal. Squatting all the way gives me the most trouble but I feel in 2 more months I should be fine. I am sure the pressure of 100 lb tarps on my shoulder wouldn't be that great on me knee either. I figured it was smart to tell them now rather than get to an orientation and get sent home for something they find out because I wince or groan from squatting.

I have a few other applications that are in process now (non-flatbed). I have a few months to decide. Also, when should l let the one I decide on for sure that I want to go with them, and should I call the others who have given me a pre-hire and tell them that I am no longer considering them? Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks, I am thinking flatbed is not really an option for a while. While it would be a great skill to learn, and I could stay in decent shaped, I don't want to re-injure myself. Sitting all day and driving really doesn't bother the knee that much. Just gets a little tight. I am waiting on word back from Cargo Transporters and Magnum right now. I can't afford to not do trucking right now. I have non trucking job lined up for when I get out but the pay is a lot less than I can afford.