Sage @LCTI vs All-State @LCCC

Hello....

I hope this post finds everyone well!

I am a prospective career changer. Going from the wonderful world of being a high school librarian to trucking. Yes...A BIG change.

I live in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area and am considering the following CDL A programs: Sage @Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and All-State @Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Sage @LCTI boasts about one on one training and is 6 wks - 150 hrs - $5K + DOT physical, drug screen, MVR, books, & permit(s)

All-State @LCCC is 4 wks - 172 hrs - $4765 + permit w endorsements up to $105

Sage flat out does not recommend starting out as an O/O. The rep at All-State said he encourages students to think outside the box and supposedly has companies that hire O/O for $150K. He also claims US Foods actively recruits women. When I initially called and visited the school, he was extremely polite. I called back and asked for some of the names of the companies that hire O/O so that I could start doing research to see if that would be a good fit for me and although he wasn't rude, he said that is proprietary info and cannot be shared unless I actually enrolled.

Has anyone had any experience with either of these schools. Does the 1:1 ratio make a difference? Both are PTDI certified, and I've read some of the posts regarding whether or not PTDI cert makes a difference.

My goal is to ultimately work for myself and get into government and corporate contracting. I've been doing a lot of research, networking, and attending workshops at the Small Business Development Centers.

Any guidance and information would be appreciated. Please keep it 100% REAL! From what I've read in the posts, the O/O arena is NOT as easy as it looks.

Thank & Blessings!

 

I'm in the "wannabe" category so I can only offer my (non educated/experienced) opinion.

We have a Sage school here in Denver and I visited during one of their "hiring events/BBQ/open house." The biggest thing that Sage impressed me with is the one-on-one training on the practice pad and road driving. There are some advantages to having to share driving time with other students; you are able to watch, listen and learn and hopefully apply that info when its your time in the seat.

I do agree with the Sage recommendation to not start out as an O/O. Get your feet wet driving and living on the road and see how you do in the experience. I wouldn't start a business that I had very little experience and knowledge about the industry, instead I would learn everything I could before making the plunge to an O/O position. Company drivers don't gross as much money as O/O's but a company driver isn't held hostage with a huge (automatic) truck payment when your miles slow for any reason.

There are a number of threads about drivers going through a company-run school and getting a lease dangled like a carrot in front of their noses. Things seem to go well for a few weeks, then you start sitting a lot and your truck payment is still deducted. I won't drop carrier names but if you look around, I'm sure you can figure out who I'm talking about.

Good luck and Blessings back at ya!

 

I went to LCCC last Sept. we had 3 students per instructor with equal time for each one they not only help you obtain your cdl but they also tell you stories from when they were on the road. i'm glad i went there the advice, stories and training helped alot. just remember either school is only teaching the basics. LCCC has or had deal with wegmans to train new drivers for them. so does ppl. going company first is the right direction this way you learn the ins and outs of trucking. after g mths to a year with some money saved is when you should start thinking going o/o. thats just my thought on that.

 

I went with Sage in Billings Montana last winter. The instructors were top notch, but the admin staff was all over the place. I don't know how your state runs it, but in Montana, you can test for your endorsements for free (cept the $69 fee for finger printing for HazMat). My experience with Sage was good overall. I'd recommend them to others. Don't have any experience with O/O. Either way, best of luck to ya.

 

i went to sage up in binghamton ny, i loved it. they also send resumes to where ever you need them too, for ever. its a great program.

 

I agree. I usualy don't endorse anything... But Sage did the same for me. They offered to fax resumes to other companies. As a matter of fact, they called me six months later to see if I was employed yet. And again, offered to mail any of my resumes to any company... To any state. It doesn't mean everyone or anyone will hire me, but the fact that they offer this service is awesome.

 

I recently obtained my CDL from SAGE at LCTI. From what I observed, the main diference between the schools is the behind the wheel instruction. At SAGE, all 4 hour driving sessions are 1 on 1 with your instructor. At All-State/LCCC, there are 4 students per truck, 1 driving and 3 observing. All hours in the truck count, whether driving or observing. You have more "behind the wheel" hours at All-State, but most of those hours are spent observing. I did not see any PP&L training happening at SAGE however I did see several PP&L trucks being tested at SAGE by SAGE instructor/testers. Myself and another graduate from SAGE were hired by a very good local company that only accepts students from SAGE/LCTI. I will gladly discuss my experiences in more detail, just PM me.

 

I went to Sage/LCTI in Schnecksville, got my CDL in January. One on one instruction was great. I wouldn't want to share my driving time with four other people. In my opinion you need as much seat time as possible. I finally got a driving job with Con-way doing
local pick up and delivery/city driver. I have found the school's don't teach enough backing up to docks. In fact they didn't have you back up to a loading dock at all. I don't know if it is for safety reasons or what. I have found that is a very important part of driving a truck that I think should have been taught.
Instructors were really good and willing to help you. The one woman there that schedules your driving time was well lets say very
difficult to deal with to put it politely. Overall a good school in my opinion.

 

Yeah, I think the schools focus more on coaching their students to pass the actual test, and navigating the trailer through the cones. There does seem to be a huge disconnect between what the school teaches, and what skills most companies require. Just my opinion.

 

Thanks for the info!