OTR flatbed companies that train experienced door swingers?

Just testing the waters, as I’m happy where I’m at bumping docks, but am starting to feel the boredom and burnout creep in after 5 years of doing it.. not quite ready to make the switch to home daily, but interested in learning something new and facing a bit of a challenge.

I am located in southern KY and 26 years old. Currently have 5 years experience OTR (2 years local beforehand, for a total of 7), a decently clean record, and experience driving a manual as well. I am not ready to run a marathon, but am young and in fairly good shape, so tarps shouldn’t be an issue (physically speaking. I know there’s lots of learning to do). I don’t have any endorsements currently, but willing and eligible to obtain them all, if needed.

My preferences are mid-sized carriers, no driver facing cameras, a large running area with decent variety, APU or opti-idle equipped trucks, and no Internationals. I’ve spent 2.5 years of my career in an International and never want to see the inside of one again lol. I prefer manual, but understand they’re becoming a rare commodity at mid-sized and larger fleets. Would like a company with a progression system like ATS, where I could move to step-deck, RGN, etc. over time if I enjoy it. All of these are negotiable, if everything else makes it worthwhile.

I know I’d be going back to being a newbie in a sense, but would like to avoid too much of a pay cut from what I’m making now, and would prefer a securement course with rather limited trainer time. I’m willing to spend a week or two with a trainer if absolutely needed for safety and comfort reasons, but do not want to spend several weeks or months with one..

If a company has a wide running area with good variety and steady freight, I’m willing to spend 4-6 weeks out at a time. However, if it’s a regional gig or a company running only a handful of lanes, I’d like to be home weekly or every other week.

I am not looking to make the switch this week, so my apologies if anyone is wanting a referral bonus right now. Will make a note and send you a message if I end up somewhere you suggest though so you get the bonus when the time comes. If I did make the switch, it’d likely be this fall or next Spring, as I’d like to avoid learning in the dead of winter for obvious reasons. I understand winter weather is a huge part of the job, but don’t want to be an inefficient newbie on week 1 in -10 degree weather.

Thank you, in advance, for any info!

 

Will certainly add them to the further research list. They check all the boxes. Only concerning part is the 65-100k/yr earning range is a big range lol. Hoping that’s a driver performance thing and not a luck of the draw range.

other than that, beautiful trucks and fits the requirements.

What’s the story with the TFI thing? I’ve seen lots of mid size flat bed companies all with their color scheme and logo style. COTC, Lone Star, EW Wiley, etc. Is that a good or bad thing? Wasn’t sure if it was a negative, like Heartland Express ruining a bunch of door swinging companies

 

What’s the story with them? Did they buy out a bunch of companies with the ‘my way or the highway’ approach, or are they just an umbrella letting each carrier still mostly do their own thing?