Profile For Sneaky Pete

Ten year landscaper, here. Currently in CDL School in NJ and I'm anxious to get to the yard for 1 on 1 instruction. I've decided to try OTR flatbed, as I like being active but certainly not at the pace I was going. I'm searching Indeed for smaller flatbed companies but they all want 6 months to 2 years experience. I've kind of narrowed it down to Melton or TMC. Complete opposites, it seems. I've spoken with drivers at both companies who weren't trying to sell me on the company or get a referral bonus, just their own experiences. I think my personality, work ethic, and loyalty would fit better at TMC for the performance/percentage based pay. My main hesitation lies within my desire to run west from NJ. TMC will have SOME loads for me but I'm told not to bank on it. I want to get back to the 4 corners. Also want to see the pacific nw, MT, WY, etc... Don't get me wrong, they cover lots of states I'd love to run (KY, WV, VA ,NC, SC, OK, gulf states). Melton SEEMS to consistently run the 48.

First question... What other flatbed companies are out there that take no experience drivers and also run west?

Second question... Does TMC run cheap freight? I know Lowe's is a customer, so maybe that already answered my question. Percentage pay is very appealing to me but if it's a percentage of consistently cheap freight, that might make me reconsider. Thanks for any feedback, Peter