Which way to go?

The are pretty much all to ones liking. Most drivers find a particular haul that they like. Maybe try them all and see which one is best for you. They each have their own particulars it just depends on which one suits you personally. Some of them maybe a little harder to get into. Tanker and heavy haul may require some driving experience before you tackle them. You may know someone that maybe able to hook you up with an "in". As far as pay goes, some do pay better than others but there is usually a reason for it. For example: flatbedding requires a little more physical work therefore it pays a little more. Heavy haul requires paying more attention to your load and making sure it is secured properly. Special permits are also sometimes required. Tanker kind of requires a finess in driving and shifting due to your load constantly moving. Dry van sometimes requires loading and stacking and building of teers. Reefer requires monitoring your load, making sure everything stays at the correct temperature, knowing the ins and outs of the refrigeration unit and so on. They all have there little quirks in which you have to tend to.

 

If you don't mind trying anything...

I would start out tanker over the road; then after a few years I would find a daycab tanker job.

The pay is the best and the drivers are the most professional.

Before the economic collapse it would have been OTR then LTL, but things have changed!

EDIT--as usual go union whenever possible!