Need final bit of advice before jumping into flatbed trucking in Los Angeles area

If Prime will hire you for flatbed school, go for it. If you want to move to Utah, then do that also.
If Prime says they don't hire for flatbed in Los Angeles, ask if they hire in Utah.

 

I would think Prime hires for the LA Area, they have a Western 11 Dedicated Flatbed they run out of Salt Lake, as well as OTR. I see their step decks and flatbeds in their drop yard in Fontana all the time.

 

I don't think this is as big of an issue as it used to be. I know a lot of midsize and even some small companies are switching to All Auto now. Quite honestly I'll be surprised if you can find a truck driving job requiring a manual in 10 years.

 

That may be true. I pity the fool who wants to work at prime for 10 years. I would rather work at Holland Enterprises. Do yourself a favor and keep that restriction off your license.

Edit: also make sure you learn how to drive a manual. The industry is moving towards automatics, but we aren't there yet.