Who has taken the new shorter CHL class?

[Tech3030]

Hello! First time here. I have been scanning through the forum and have not seen many people comment on taking the CHL class since the changes as of September 1st 2013. I took it on September 1st with Crossfire. I thought they did a great job on covering the material in the new time allotted. I was able to get up, go dove hunting in the morning, go to the class and shoot then make it back in time for a couple hours in the evening for some more dove hunting. I thought that the class covered the information that you needed to know very well. It was laid back and I did not feel as if they were rushing through things. The class went buy very fast. I have all my info sent in now and am playing the waiting game for an update on the DPS website. One thing I learned on sending in via computer is that each document file size can't be over 866k. I had one PDF that was 1.2MB and the up-load would fail. I had to email support and this is what they told me. Has anyone else taken the class as of September 1st and sent in their documents? If so has your status on the DPS website changed and what did you think of your class?

[Javier730]

I took the shorter class september 2 on labor day. The class took 5 hours not including the range time. Submitted the application Monday through the Texas DPS website. I got fingerprinted today but the status has not changed. I figure it will at least take 24 hours. Now its just a matter of waiting.

[Texsquatch]

My wife and I took the 10 hour class and although I'm sure the short class is fine to cover the info required for the test, I believe there is some missed learning opportunities. Our instructor went through many hands-on scenarios with Glock laser training pistols, training knives, and hand-to-hand methods. I'm not knocking the new class, just think most would benefit from some additional training. Plus, it was extremely informative and fun for both of us!

[jmra]

My wife and I took the 10 hour class and although I'm sure the short class is fine to cover the info required for the test, I believe there is some missed learning opportunities. Our instructor went through many hands-on scenarios with Glock laser training pistols, training knives, and hand-to-hand methods. I'm not knocking the new class, just think most would benefit from some additional training. Plus, it was extremely informative and fun for both of us!

I bet you will be able to get whatever training you desire. Once the rush is over from the post Sep 1 crowd instructors will have time to develop additional training for those who want it.

[texanjoker]

My wife and I took the 10 hour class and although I'm sure the short class is fine to cover the info required for the test, I believe there is some missed learning opportunities. Our instructor went through many hands-on scenarios with Glock laser training pistols, training knives, and hand-to-hand methods. I'm not knocking the new class, just think most would benefit from some additional training. Plus, it was extremely informative and fun for both of us!

That sounds like a pretty good course.

[n5wd]

My wife and I took the 10 hour class and although I'm sure the short class is fine to cover the info required for the test, I believe there is some missed learning opportunities. Our instructor went through many hands-on scenarios with Glock laser training pistols, training knives, and hand-to-hand methods. I'm not knocking the new class, just think most would benefit from some additional training. Plus, it was extremely informative and fun for both of us!

While that sounds like a great class to attend, it also sounds like your instructor taught you a lot of things that weren't included by the state in what they want covered in a CHL class. And while it may be that most new CHL's might benefit from additional training, one reason the legislature changed the course requirements was that there was a perceived belief that the courses, at 10 hours, were too long for what they were supposed to cover.

Maybe, now, that instructor can do the 4-6 hours course, then the firing range, then offer a free 2-4 hours course with all the extras. That way, a CHL student can sit through the extra if they want, or skeedaddle at the end of the mandatory stuff if they don't want to hang around. Hmmm... maybe a new business model?

[Pecos]

Back in June I took the longer class & didnt have a problem with it. We covered a lot of stuff & had discussions. Im glad I had a longer class!

[jmra]

My wife and I took the 10 hour class and although I'm sure the short class is fine to cover the info required for the test, I believe there is some missed learning opportunities. Our instructor went through many hands-on scenarios with Glock laser training pistols, training knives, and hand-to-hand methods. I'm not knocking the new class, just think most would benefit from some additional training. Plus, it was extremely informative and fun for both of us!

While that sounds like a great class to attend, it also sounds like your instructor taught you a lot of things that weren't included by the state in what they want covered in a CHL class. And while it may be that most new CHL's might benefit from additional training, one reason the legislature changed the course requirements was that there was a perceived belief that the courses, at 10 hours, were too long for what they were supposed to cover.

Maybe, now, that instructor can do the 4-6 hours course, then the firing range, then offer a free 2-4 hours course with all the extras. That way, a CHL student can sit through the extra if they want, or skeedaddle at the end of the mandatory stuff if they don't want to hang around. Hmmm... maybe a new business model?

there are many options out there for someone wanting additional training. What was reduced (and rightly so) was state mandated training. IMHO, less government mandated anything is a good thing.
If the market shows a demand for additional training then there will be people more than willing to offer the training.

[jmain]

I posted a question asking if the shorter classes were filling classes up more over in the instructors section and got criskets over there.

I hope that the new laws get known and that it encourages more people to finally get their CHL if they haven't in the past becuase it took too long or cost too much.

I only saw one small blip from an Austin News station about it and it incorrectly stated that the classes would now be cheaper.

I have been talking to friends, and students and barely anyone that doesn't have their CHL knows a thing about it from what I can see.

I hope the word gets out and more and more people come aboard the CHL lifestyle.

[Tech3030]

Update... My info was received on the 5th of September. Today September 18th status change to manufacturing! It looks like they are doing a good job if there was a September rush.

[Crossfire]

Great news, Tech3030!

[n5wd]

I posted a question asking if the shorter classes were filling classes up more over in the instructors section and got criskets over there....

I think one of the reasons for that is that not many instructors have done the new classes yet, certainly not enough to form any opinions on whether the changes are filling classes up more in general or not. Ask again in a year, and the folks might have a better answer for you.

[OrangeAnimal]

I went thru the longer class over a year ago. I found it worthwhile. I do agree much of the time was filler material and while we got to understand a few extras the course is not required to give I would take it again. Now what about the renewal classes? I honestly cannot remember all the stuff they said about renewing my chl and it's only been a 16 months or so since I had the initial class. Goes to show how well that sunk in. I do remember the basics but the little things have slipped.

Glad to also here they are producing the licenses faster now. I waited about 3 months.

Found the info on renewals and just thought I would share the link. They no longer require a class to renew.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/RSD/CHL/Le ... lation.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TrackinPat]

I attended the short class yesterday! We met at the range at 8:00AM, met back up at the classroom at 10:00AM and continued on until about 2:00PM-2:30PM! We were then let go and all that happy jazz. I found the allotted time to be more than sufficient to cover all the state mandated material and he even told quite a bit of stories and scenarios. I get my fingerprints done tomorrow and then I shall send in the rest of my stuff!

[jmra]

I posted a question asking if the shorter classes were filling classes up more over in the instructors section and got criskets over there.

I hope that the new laws get known and that it encourages more people to finally get their CHL if they haven't in the past becuase it took too long or cost too much.

I only saw one small blip from an Austin News station about it and it incorrectly stated that the classes would now be cheaper.

I have been talking to friends, and students and barely anyone that doesn't have their CHL knows a thing about it from what I can see.

I hope the word gets out and more and more people come aboard the CHL lifestyle.

Sounds like a great marketing tool for instructors.