New to OTR and the forum

Hey there, I’m 43 . I’ve held a class with hazmat in the state of VA for 10 years now. Drove reefers, dumpbodys, lowboys, for local waste water municipality for the first 5 years. Been a heavy equipment/diesel mechanic for the city exclusively for the last 5 years. Due to medical issues I can’t due the mechanical side anymore. ( no more long hot days lifting and pulling all day.) I am being cleared by cardiologist to drive full time though. I really am excited about it. I could sit around collecting disability or go drive and see the country. Disability will cover whatever lose of income I will incur while starting this new career move, so no stress about low pay to start. Now my question is what are the best OTR companies to start with that will not make me go back to school but let me train for awhile then turn me lose to “turn and burn”?

 

The way I see it. I am still healthy enough to produce in some way. I’m getting healthier everyday. Disability in my case is to let me heal up enough to get back to work not live on the rest of my life.

 

Really like flatbed or van. I want whatever is the most consistent. Really the only 2 things that I am really looking for in a company is that they allow me to have my dog with me and can bring my kids during spring and summer break. I’m very easy going. I had a heart attack at the age of 42. That caused me to really look at how I was as a person. I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore. I don’t get upset easily anymore. I know home time in the beginning is going to be limited even though it’s important my wife and I are prepared for a long first couple years. I’ve been really doing the research and this site has really good info. I’m not going into this thinking it’s going to be all rainbows and unicorns farting happy glitter on everything. But I believe it is what you make it. And I want to make this as enjoyable as working on the trucks was for me.