2 programs to choose from @ All-State Career

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Geo_, Sep 1, 2012.

  1. Geo_

    Geo_ Light Load Member

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    Using a $4,000 Wia Grant to help pay for CDL a training in Pennsylvania

    90% sure I will be attending All-State Career in Lester/Essington PA (suburb of Philly)

    Just waiting on the WIA office to sign off on the paperwork which will probably be Tuesday


    All State has 2 different Programs I will need to choose from

    Program 1
    Advanced Tractor Trailer Driving,24 weeks, 480 total hours, 280 Driving, 200 classroom, Receive CDL A and PTDI Cerificate upon completion (Professional Truck Drivers Certificate) Total Cost 10,500 - 4,000 (WIA GRANT) total out of pocket 6,500
    This program can be done mornings, nights, or weekends


    Program 2
    Class A CDL Driving Program Course "PREP" (not sure if prep is for preparation or some acronym they didnt tell me about)
    4 weeks, 194 total hours, 120 Driving. 74 classroom. Receive CDL A Total Cost 5,100- 4,000 (WIA) Total out of pocket $1,100



    I am naturally leaning towards the 2nd option for two reasons 1. Out of pocket cost $1,100 vs $6,500 and 2. 4 weeks vs 24 weeks.

    HAs anyone been to this school?

    What does a PTDI Certification do for me at entry level?
    Will I make more money with it?
    Besides driving and experience will an extra 20 weeks, and $6500, is it worth it.

    I read about other schools only taking 2 or three weeks, so the 4 week program sounds comparable to other schools.

    The 24 week program sounds very thorough, but honestly, will the extra 3 months pay off in the short/med/long term?


    Any advice will be useful


    Geo_
     
    tbelvin Thanks this.
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  3. Sal-XK

    Sal-XK Light Load Member

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    Choose the blue pill hahahaha option 2. You will still have to train at your new company anyway no matter how long your school is. Mine was 4 weeks and it's plenty of time besides where ever you go your company will probably have there own way of doing things anyway so get paid to finish training. That 200hrs class room work in option one 1 would be hell times 10 man WOW I had 40hrs of class room and wanted to hang my self LOL Just curious what is WIA?
     
    Geo_ Thanks this.
  4. Geo_

    Geo_ Light Load Member

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    WIA is the Workforce Investment Act....Its designed to get unemployed people from their old trade into a new one. Lost my job after 18 years a while back, this is Pennsylvania's way of getting me going again.

    Yeah not looking forward to classroom training at all. Always been a decent student, and I know it is necessary , but I always learn best in a hands on situation.
     
  5. Sal-XK

    Sal-XK Light Load Member

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    Oh ok well good luck man. Seriously consider the shorter option. Just put 100% into your training and show up with an open mind and you'll be good to go. A training company will take you from CDL holder to trucker well, a good one will anyway LOL The important thing is to get out there earning money as soon as possible IMO Just be realistic about what you're getting into and you'll be good.
     
  6. Geo_

    Geo_ Light Load Member

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    Sal-XK, awesome advice. Yeah I am about as big of a Realist you will ever come across. I don't get worked up over hopes and dreams, I dont get down about negativity.... honestly even my goldfish thinks I am boring.

    I am still curious about the PTDI certification. They didn't spend a bunch of time on it during my tour of the place, but they sure did keep preaching it to me when I was sitting with a career counselor. All she could tell me was that it was a reflection of my well rounded training and what not.

    I still think I am leaning towards 4 weeks, it will get me moving by the time my unemployment runs out.....I have until Tuesday to figue it all out.
     
  7. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    The company that you want to work for,

    do they require a PTDI school ??

    If not, save your money !
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2012
  8. Hellraiser78

    Hellraiser78 Light Load Member

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    Geo,
    I went to All-State in Lester, PA. I graduated in 1995 and was pre hired by 8 companies, all of which were major carriers. I think the cheapest option will work for you. Go there and give 100% and you will be fine. Any company is going to require their training and you going with a trainer. Goodluck!!
     
  9. CertifiedSweetie

    CertifiedSweetie Road Train Member

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    I went to Allstate in Pittsburgh in 2009 and they pretty much had the same options. They had a 6months program and a 4 week promgram. I did the 6 months plus some. I had to work so I couldn't take the 4 week class. I think they came Monday-Saturday in the morning and night. I did the 6 months from 8-2 I think was the time. I liked it for the most part. But it probably would be better to go with the cheaper because the first company that'll hire you will most likely put you with a trainer for a few weeks. Even though I was in scholl for 6 months when I went out with my first comoany I was with a trainer for 9 weeks. Also as much as I learned at Allstate it didn't too much prepare me for what it's really like on the road.
     
  10. Keyster

    Keyster Light Load Member

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    Option #2 because 90% of what you'll need to learn to be successful will be OTR with your trainer.
    Getting your CDL and hitting the road is when your real edumacation starts.

    Option #1 is not worth it, nobody cares about PTDI certification. Most schools teach to those standards anyway. PTDI cert is kind of a scam.

    All carriers care about is that you passed DOT physical, drug screen and were capable enough to get a CDL. After that you'll be all theirs to mold into their system. Then you have to pass their orientation process, training period, and post training period testing. Then in about 6 weeks, if everything goes well you solo. Then you can't hit anything, be it by anything and be on time with your loads...several phases you have to pass before they really commit to you and you to them.

    It's a journey.
     
  11. Geo_

    Geo_ Light Load Member

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    The longer program does have the advantage of going on nights or weekends. And from what some people have pm'd me and told me you do get into some things with greater detail.

    But I am still leaning towards the 4 week program for 2 main reasons. Theoretically I can be working for my first company making some money by the end of the year. Program starts Oct 1 and I could be done by November and be with my first company and in their training program by early November and by Christmas or shortly there after be ready to go solo. Second point is the out of pocket money. I cant really afford the 1100 or so bucks i would need to write them a check for, I can do it, just make life for the next couple of months a little more interesting, but it's a lot better then having to finance and pay pack 6500 bucks over the long term.

    I still have until tuesday to decide so if anyone else has anything i need to consider, please let me know.
     
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