PA School - HCCC (240 Hrs)

I spoke with a Crete Carrier recruiter and she said they recommend programs that are 200 hr or more, so I'm looking into the Harrisburg Central Community College CDL-A program. Has anyone attended the school? Thanks for the help.

I had the option, in Pa., to go to a County school Program (240) hours or a trucking school (160) hours. I opted for the 160 hours. Fortunately, we live in an area of the country where there is a lot of work. I supplement my (160 hour) course with a lot of on line viewing, i.e. training videos on coupling, backing, parking, etc. Now, I wasn't smart, it just worked out that I had gotten my permit and all my endorsements prior to school, so when I went to school, I was out in the yard within a half hour, literally. I just envision a college program to be redundant on class time. Anyway, that's what i did. Bottom line, if you feel confident in your ability to learn, have good motor skills, pick up things with relative ease, then consider not getting tied up for the extra two weeks. Please keep in mind, that I am not slighting the necessity of proper training, in fact, never forget these trucks are missiles on wheels. Don't rely on any of these (outside) schools to teach you much more than enough to get your cdl.

I just envision a college program to be redundant on class time. Anyway, that's what i did. Bottom line, if you feel confident in your ability to learn, have good motor skills, pick up things with relative ease, then consider not getting tied up for the extra two weeks. Please keep in mind, that I am not slighting the necessity of proper training, in fact, never forget these trucks are missiles on wheels. Don't rely on any of these (outside) schools to teach you much more than enough to get your cdl.

I think Daniel's remarks are right on the money. Most of the Junior/Community college courses are longer simply because they have to make them a certain length of time to be able to get assistance with their government funding programs for the courses. I'm not trying to denigrate these programs, some of them are very well done, and often times people prefer them because they can keep working at their present job while attending the classes at night. I was a little surprised that a Crete representative didn't make it clear that they will hire you from a school that only provides 160 hours training because I know that they will.

He's also right about the fact that the primary goal of any of these driver training schools is to help you obtain your CDL in an acceptable way that will help you be able to land a job in the industry. No one is adept at operating a Big Rig after attending a driving school, in fact most of us are still a little dangerous at it, but it is a starting point. Any major carrier who hires rookies, including Crete, knows this all too well and they do not expect you to be proficient. What they do expect is for you to be safe and willing to spend some time with a trainer in his/her truck for usually a minimum of four weeks before they take a huge chance on you and put you out there on the nations highways as a solo driver.

The minimum requirement for a training certificate is usually 160 hours. More training hours doesn't necessarily equal better drivers, that will come as a new driver takes his time learning his new craft out there on the roadways. Doing this job day in and day out is where the real training is at. If you participate in a training school and then go on to work with a trainer at any chosen company you have gotten what is considered a decent start, but from that point on it is really going to be up to you to continue learning and getting better at it. Your entire rookie year will be one long, sometimes frustrating, very rewarding learning experience. I still learn stuff everyday out here. If I were to stop being challenged with this stuff, then I would know it's time for me to hang up my keys. If you aren't continually learning at this job, then you just simply aren't paying much attention.

Dave, are you considering going to work for Crete? I think they're a great operation.

I had the option, in Pa., to go to a County school Program (240) hours or a trucking school (160) hours. I opted for the 160 hours. Fortunately, we live in an area of the country where there is a lot of work. I supplement my (160 hour) course with a lot of on line viewing, i.e. training videos on coupling, backing, parking, etc. Now, I wasn't smart, it just worked out that I had gotten my permit and all my endorsements prior to school, so when I went to school, I was out in the yard within a half hour, lially.ter I just envision a college program to be redundant on class time. Anyway, that's what i did. Bottom line, if you feel confident in your ability to learn, have good motor skills, pick up things with relative ease, then consider not getting tied up for the extra two weeks. Please keep in mind, that I am not slighting the necessity of proper training, in fact, never forget these trucks are missiles on wheels. Don't rely on any of these (outside) schools to teach you much more than enough to get your cdl.

Daniel, I think your point about redundant class time in County school programs is definitely something to consider. Thanks for the feedback. Be safe.

Dave, are you considering going to work for Crete? I think they're a great operation.

Old School, sorry for the late reply....this one slipped past me.

Crete is at the top of my list. I have spoken to a recruiter several times and I'm happy with what my research has turned up. I have also spoken to a Crete driver who was very pleased with the company. As you know, Crete is a large carrier who offers multiple freight divisions (Shaffer & J.P Hunt) as well as regional/dedicated opportunities. This flexibility is very important to me because I have a young family and I want to be able to make adjustments in order to achieve the "best" fit as I work through the first year or two. The only major downside with Crete so far is that I won't be able to start out running flatbed. The recruiter said I'll need to pull dry van or reefer for my first year, then I can switch to flatbed. This was disappointing because I really want flatbed, but my need for flexibility during the first year is priority. I could go with TMC, but then I'd loose the ability to make any changes and I'm determined to remain with my first company for the year. Roehl and SWIFT are also on my list. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank!

I'm assuming you're referring to HACC (Harrisburg Area Community College), correct?

Either way, I live outside Harrisburg, PA and chose DCS School of Driving, in York. I had a 30 minute commute for their night classes, 5 days a week. Well worth it. Program cost 5k. Based on my research, they had the best program available in regard to preparation and drive time. They require a certain amount of hours of night driving, and do not base the majority of their drive time on the easy highways or interstates. Back roads are highlighted, driving through small towns, learning how to perform maneuvers like button hooks. I highly recommend them. They are 190 hours. The licensed instructor who tests you for your CDL A will do it at their location, using their trucks. Google DCS School of Driving and you'll find their website and facebook page.

Crete Carrier / Shaffer Trucking accepted DCS School of Driving. I know, because I was invited to their orientation. I wound up going with LTL instead (Old Dominion Freight Line), running linehaul. All the major trucking companies (truckload / OTR) accepted DCS. Crete / Shaffer, Prime, Werner, Schneider, etc...

As Old School mentioned, I believe the recruiter you spoke with was misinformed, unless Crete / Shaffer just recently changed their policy. For what it's worth - and this is no reflection on the company at large - I spoke to more than one 'confused' recruiter at Crete / Shaffer. It was not uncommon to get conflicting answers to specific questions I had. I can almost guarantee they do not require 200 hours.

Also, most companies will be willing to accept whatever school you go to, even if it's not on "their list." All it takes is a phone call, perhaps an arranged phone meeting with the owner / instructor of said school, and definitely a program that at least has 160 hours.

Best of luck to you. You have a lot of options in the Harrisburg - Carlisle - York PA area. You don't have to limit yourself to the mega companies to gain employment, even as a student driver. And, unless you're absolutely sold on the lifestyle of a flatbedder, you should look into LTL (P&D and linehaul). You can get home every day (definitely every week) and make some of the best wages in the trucking industry. Our area has lots of LTL opportunities with Old Dominion, ABF, Estes, Conway-Freight, Fed Ex Freight, UPS Freight and YRC. They will all hire student drivers. I chose Old Dominion and will at least see 70k my rookie year as a linehaul driver. Most linehaul drivers at OD earn between 75-100k, depending on their runs and miles. Rookie drivers at any truckload company ( running reefer , flatbed, or dry van ) will probably see 30-40k their rookie year, and will be out for weeks at a time earning that figure. Veteran truckload drivers might see 65k+, but they'll be running hard and spending lots of time away from home. Most truckload drivers average 50-60k, even with top wages and years of experience. Something to think about.

Trucking for me is about supporting my family. It's a job, not a lifestyle. I'm home every day with my linehaul gig, off two days a week. I do love driving a big rig ( pulling doubles ), but I certainly don't wanna live out of truck stops or in a truck for the majority of my life, away from my family. I like supporting my family - AND spending time with them.

6 string rhythm,

Thanks for the awesome information!

Based on my research, they had the best program available in regard to preparation and drive time. They require a certain amount of hours of night driving, and do not base the majority of their drive time on the easy highways or interstates. Back roads are highlighted, driving through small towns, learning how to perform maneuvers like button hooks. I highly recommend them.

I have been doing a ton of research on CDL schools but hadn't see DCS. I just went to their website and was really impressed. Thanks for the scoop.

You have a lot of options in the Harrisburg - Carlisle - York PA area. You don't have to limit yourself to the mega companies to gain employment, even as a student driver. And, unless you're absolutely sold on the lifestyle of a flatbedder, you should look into LTL (P&D and linehaul). You can get home every day (definitely every week) and make some of the best wages in the trucking industry. Our area has lots of LTL opportunities with Old Dominion, ABF, Estes, Conway-Freight, Fed Ex Freight, UPS Freight and YRC. They will all hire student drivers.

I'm going to take your advice and put some serious thought into LTL options. I have a family and the LTL option might be the best fit.

Thanks again for the advice and information!

Dave, if you're interested in the world of LTL , check out my thread here:

LTL Trucking - My Linehaul Job

I go into detail on my linehaul job, but also cover other things like what P&D is like, and some other things related to Less Than Truckload trucking.

I highly recommend Old Dominion. They have a break bulk terminal in Carlisle that is responsible for moving freight for the entire Northeast. Also, you can go through their own trucking school and get PAID WHILE LEARNING, without having to go into debt for a trucking school. Needless to say, much opportunity available at that terminal. You can get a gig being home every day as a combo driver, or go for linehaul and "pay your dues" upfront to have a much higher earning potential. BTW, "pay your dues" was just a figure of speech. OD is not a union shop, so you will not be paying any kind of dues.

Dave, if you're interested in the world of LTL , check out my thread here:

LTL Trucking - My Linehaul Job

I go into detail on my linehaul job, but also cover other things like what P&D is like, and some other things related to Less Than Truckload trucking.

6 string rhythm, thanks for the link to your blog and all the good information. If you don't mind, I might send you a PM as read through your posts?

Of note: I went on DCS School of Driving website and they now advertise 200 hrs of instruction.

6 string rhythm, thanks for the link to your blog and all the good information. If you don't mind, I might send you a PM as read through your posts?

Of course.