ICE ROAD TRUCKING- Carlile Trucking

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by CryloZeus, Mar 15, 2010.

  1. CryloZeus

    CryloZeus Bobtail Member

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    Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the minimum qualifications for Ice Road Trucking? I understand there are jobs in Yellowknife, Canada and also Carlile Trucking from the infamous Ice Road Truckers. I am going to get my 1 yr OTR experience before even applying. Has anyone done Ice Road Trcuking? If so, how is it and how's the money? Any other comments? CZ
     
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  3. logisticlymissplaced

    logisticlymissplaced Light Load Member

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    from what i kno you have to be a driver from canada they wont take american drivers i have been on the ice roads you have through a safety class to be authroized to drive them i drive them every year and my advice is to stay clear of them.carislile is a co out of fairbanks ak they are an american co im shure someone out there can help you more
     
  4. GSCS(SW) Retired

    GSCS(SW) Retired Bobtail Member

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    Crylo, my question to you would be what kind of Ice Trucking do you want to do? If it is up in the northern mountains I wouldn't attempt it until you have alot more experience than one year. Looks like you are from Mass, have you done alot of mountain driving in the winter? Any Wyoming, Colorado, Montana etc. etc.? How about chain experience? If not it is not as glamarous as it could look. I did not drive the ice roads, but 5 straight years running the 11 western and running the runs noone else wants,
    US 550 Colorado in January, I would wait until you try to take a jump that might cost you your life.

    Just my 2 cents worth.
     
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  5. Screaminpete

    Screaminpete Light Load Member

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    Go to the Carlile website. ''Carlile Transportation Systems''. They have the info you need for becoming a Ice Road Trucker with their company.
     
  6. Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

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    Weatherford, TX
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    Quit watching that hoakie show to start with. They were run out of Canada for making such a farce out of one of the most specialized driving jobs out there. If you really want to drive in the tundra get your training , drive all the mountains and high wind roads in the USA, keep a real clean record and someday you just might make it. You are one of thousands who have watched too much "reality"{lol} tv and think you just get a license and head N. After you have had to chain and unchain in semi blizzard conditions a few times in the same day, cleaned your seat a few times after making it down some God awful long icy road that you had no business going up in the 1st place, and much more you might not be so gung ho. If you are than good luck to you. Get all the experience you can in different types and keep plugging.
     
  7. 59Panhead

    59Panhead Medium Load Member

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    Sounds alot like the Deadliest Catch show where they catch Crab up in Alaska....
    I like that show, but evidently ever since the show hit the TV, the docks up there have been flooded with 'wanna-bes" I know for a fact this thin blooded FL cracker couldn't do it.
     
  8. Owner's Operator

    Owner's Operator Medium Load Member

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    It's amusing how on Ice Road Truckers every little tiny thing that happens they make a life or death situation out of.
     
  9. biermann58

    biermann58 Light Load Member

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    As an Owner's Operator too....didn't get into this business to make the cable network. Maybe someday take that apostrphe out, but it will a very cautious and well thought out approach.
     
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  10. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

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    Kellogg, IA
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    I never did the ice road thing like on TV, but I did drive 10 years in Alaska. Did drive a couple of rivers occasionally during the winter. Mostly the normal hauling routes and some off road routes. That being said, there is a lot to running in those kind of conditions. It is not for the faint of heart. Pay is very good, but you will earn every dime of it. Just the roads themselves can be very tricky at different times of the year. More than a lot of drivers in the lower 48 could handle easily and still not bust up a truck. Of course their is nothing like plowing into an 1800 lb Alaska Yukon Moose that decides he owns the road. Forget those little moose out east. I don't give a rip about those fancy Roo bars on the front. You hit one of these big boys at 60 mph and you are going to have some damage done to your ride in a big way... grill guard or not. Well, maybe the grill guard will keep him out of your passenger seat when you hit him. All you can hope for is that you hit at an angle and not direct. Remember, driving up there during the winter is a night time gig. I lived near Fairbanks, and in the deep winter, it would get light around 10 AM and get dark around 2 PM. Further north and less light time.

    And of course there is nothing that can match trying to bust your brakes loose when it is dark, -60F, 30 mph winds and you are by yourself 50 miles from the nearest house. Likewise, making a by the side of the road quick repair to an air line or cable. And that is the minor stuff. It is not a lot of laughs to have to chain up several times a day on a run, depending on where you are headed.

    Like I said, pay is good though and you will earn every penny. I started up there in the 80's and started at $28 an hour as a relatively newby driver. Some of the senior guys were getting $50 an hour. And you also got time and half for overtime and double time on holidays. But it can be a miserable way to make a living if you are not physically and psychologically prepared for it. You got to be almost a jack of all trades to operate in that stuff. I left to help out the folks back on the farm in Iowa. I would go back if the right opportunity came along. Wife has other ideas about that. Come to think of it.... I'm getting old enough I may not ever do it again.

    Looks nice on TV though!
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2010
  11. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    I think WildKat needs to chime in here.
     
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