All State Career Pittsburgh

Hello everybody. Scheduled to start up at All State Career in Pittsburgh next month. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with All State and could pass on their thoughts on the benefits of the 4 week course or the 6 month course. Also, any reviews of the quality of training would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome aboard Jim!

I looked at their website and couldn't find any specifics about the different courses. You said 4 weeks or 6 months???

If that's the case, go for the four weeks as long as major companies will hire you after completing the program. Ask the school for a list of major carriers that hire their students and call some of them from home yourself to verify this. What you want to do is begin applying for pre-hires. We have an excellent article on Understanding The Pre-Hire Process and it will explain how it works and why it's so important. If you can get at least two or three pre-hires from major companies based on completion of the four week class, then that's the course you want. 160 hours of training is the minimum that most companies will accept so that should get it done.

Now the obvious question is "Wouldn't I want the longer, more thorough training program if I want to be the best driver I can be?" The short answer is no. The only purpose the schooling serves is to get you your CDL and allow you to land a job with a major carrier. Then your real training will begin - out on the road with a company trainer.

You're going to find that truck driving schools only teach you about 2% of what you'll ultimately need to know to be a truly outstanding truck driver. The other 98% you'll learn on the road. That's not an insult to the schools by any means. That's just the reality of the job. You can't learn this stuff sitting in a classroom or practicing on the range. You have to learn by driving through the mountains, the big cities, the heavy traffic. You have to learn how trucking companies are run and how to make your way in this industry. That comes from experience.

Now the other really, really big thing you need to do is get started on our High Road Online CDL Training Program. It has the entire CDL manual built in plus section on the Logbook and Weight & Balance which are critical to know out there. You're already registered for the site so just follow that link and get to work! It's an amazing program. You're gonna love it!

Lastly I would highly suggest our Truck Driver's Career Guide. It's loaded with important information about every topic imaginable that pertains to getting your trucking career off to a great start. Really important stuff.

We're always happy to help out so ask us all the questions you like.

RedGator and I went to the Allstate in Schnecksville, PA (not at the same time though). I agree with Brett, go for the 4-week course because all you need to do is get your CDL. All State did a VERY good job preparing me for driving. We spent the first week on going through the CDL manual to get your permit, which was sort of a waste for me because I got permit and all endorsements on my own thanks to High Road Online CDL Training! I suggest you do the same. Then when during that first week you get to really absorb some information instead of trying to cram it.

Two of my instructors at the Schneider Bulk training center in Pittsburgh told me that "All Staters" are usually very well prepared when they come in for Schneider Bulk training. Don't know if they were trying to be nice or if they were being honest lol. But I did not have much trouble with the training.

ThinksTooMuch is right. All State is a great program and most companies LOVE the students from there. You will get what you need in a 4 week course and wont have any issue finding a job. Good Luck:)

Hello Jim,

Congratulations! I live in the Pittsburgh area and I looked at all the schools available to me when I went to start my training including All-State.

The 6 month program was more for people that could only take classes 2 times a week, instead of a 5 or 6 day week. When I looked at it, there wasn't ANY advantage to the 6 month course, unless you are a slow learner, and it would benefit you to be able to take the time to absorb the material, or had to work while while attending school.

I visited the school, talked with the program directors, emailed with some people that had graduated from their program, and I also spoke with both Werner and Schneider recruiters who all had good things to say about the school. When I visited the school, they had a list of companies that would, and have hired their students, all of the major companies were listed. They also had a wall of recent graduates and where they were hired, and there were quite a bit of local companies as well.

If I had gone to a private school, I would have either gone with them or PAI (Pittsburgh Aeronautical Institute) depending on which one fit my schedule better.

Good Luck

Julia

Thanks for all the replies and information. I'll start working on the High Road CDL training program. Classes begin September 9th at All State. Thanks again.