Whatever you do for a living, it has to be more pleasant than the job chosen by the people in Ice Road Truckers, a reality series premiering on The History Channel on June 17 (10PM Eastern, 9PM Central). The show's title says it all: to bring heavy equipment and supplies to diamond mines in Canada's Northwest Territories, truck drivers have to guide their massive machines hundreds of miles over roads made of snow and ice. The ice roads are only usable in the winter, obviously, so the truckers work in temperatures that can reach -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even in the Canadian north, where the ice can freeze several feet thick on some lakes, the ice roads can only support so much weight. When your cargo is several tons, you have to be extremely careful - not just because of the risk of sinking through the ice, but because of "blowouts" caused when truckers drive too quickly, creating waves of pressure that can burst through the ice and render the road impassable. Even when you're not driving over frozen water, the roads can be treacherous, and it's not uncommon for jackknifed vehicles to block the road and bring the traffic, such as it is, to a complete standstill for hours at a time.
So why would anyone do this? Money, of course - a skilled driver can make around $70,000.00 for a couple of months' work. (Even if that's Canadian money, it's still pretty impressive, especially at today's exchange rates.) But the work is lonely, tiresome and often very dull, and it's not uncommon for would-be drivers to drop out after a few days.
The first two episodes of Ice Road Truckers are quite fascinating, with brief segments on maintenance of the roads, salvage divers, a computer-generated "blowout" and, of course, lots of big rigs. (Anyone who grew up on Smokey and the Bandit movies and their fathers' old Red Sovine records will appreciate this show.) We don't learn too much about the drivers themselves, though, and Ice Road Truckers will only work as a regular series if we grow attached to them individually. Time will tell.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Doug
I like the show! I was hoping the program would show more about the diamond mines themselves, maybe later in the season? I noticed the program talks mostly about the mining operations in Yellowknife. The DeBeers operation at Snap Lake (not far from Yellowknife )is their first venture outside of Africa and when completed will be their largest underground mine complex. Those guys are pretty secretive,, so I doubt we will see much about it.
2 - Mr. Nosuch
If you think the show is compelling, you should try the Ice Road Truckers video game.
3 - Kevin LaCroix
I would like to try that job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've been driving 17yrs, this looks like a great challenge.
4 - Sneaky Pete
Ice road trucking seems to be a lot of hard work
and a lot more rules to follow. The alure of a big pay check seems to draw these drivers back every year. Unless there is something I don't know about, taking into concideration all of the down time due to accidents and break-downs, they are not making as much as it may seem. I make that kind of money and I work in a pair of shorts,t-shirt and all brand new equipment. The truck I drive you could shave your face in any of the polished aluminum wheels or tanks. Forget about the chrome you need special eye protection to look at it. Now thats trucking!
5 - big jim
i think loggers and equipment haulers that battle the rugged high snowy mountains and icy terrains are farmore hard core drivers than ice road trucks with loud vulgar mouths.
6 - Kev
I find the show quite fascinating. I have a high level of respect for those guys and what they do. I've only have a couple years of trucking experience myself, but once I get a few more years in I would love to try drive on the Ice Roads... as much for the experience as for the money.
7 - billy joe jeffries
Ice road Truckers while fascinating is another example of pure greed and avarice. People putting thier lives at risk all for the sake of some shiny baubles. Almost completly unnecessary, with the exception of some industrial uses of diamonds, these mines are just to make fat cats richer. Pointless ugly greed.
8 - Jerry
I have found this program somewhat interesting, although you seem to show the same people each week. Why can't you make the Ice Road part much wider so two or even three Trucks can drive on the Ice at the same time. From what I have seen they should put the tankers in a slow lane or at the end of the row every day. I have seen two wrecks and they are both Tankers. I rest my case?????
9 - dorothy lomax
I LOVE THE ICE TRUCKERS SHOW I WATCH IT EVERY SUNDAY. I REALLY ENJOY THE PARTS ON ALEX AND RICK..ALEX SEEMS LIKE A HARD WORKING GOOD PERSON ..RICK ALSO SEEM TO BE TRYING WITH A TRUCK THAT HAS LITTLE OR NO HEAT..KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUYS..TO ALL OF THE DRIVERS BE SAFE AND GOD BLESS
10 - sckop
The Last program I watched had a driver suffer a maedical problem that required him to be treated at a hospital.
Upon release and returned to work they showed him with bill and the comment that he had NO insurance.
The quest comes to mind that in a country that has every liberal politican pushin for universal health care provided by the government and useing Canada of a country that has this in place, how come he has no insurance coverage?
11 - Lilli
I watch the show every Sunday. I was so upset that Drew chose to quit. He seemed like a hard working man. You know they say, you are only as good as the equipment you have to work with, and his equipment kept breaking down. Comments were continually made that it was his own fault, and clearly the first mishap of putting the truck in a ditch, and the last of running out of fuel were things he should take responsibility for. But all the mishaps in the middle were clearly not driver error, but in fact due to faulty equipment. Each one of Hugh's trucks (except his own that he drives) is a break down waiting to happen. Each one of Hugh's trucks had mechanical problems, except the one he drives. An oil change and tire replacement is common. I think I would not have quit, but instead I would have asked Hugh to drive my truck (since he owns it), and let me drive his. In order to prove a point.
12 - Harold
My favorit driver is hugh he reminds me of those hard tough red neck back in the seventy in the deep south. I like to watch more of this show next year.
13 - OTRTrucker
Hey Sneaky Pete....just one question....who do YOU work for and how do I apply????!!!
otrt
14 - joseph francis
hi
how do i apply 2 get a job as an ice trucker
joe
15 - Kenny D.
Ice Road Truckers...It's a damn good program. I've had an interest in doing this for the past 10 years now, I'm glad the show is, so we can more of the job.
I don't understand "dougs" comment (way up there ^) the one that says he was hoping see to more about the diamond mines. They may show more but perhaps on another show called "The Diamond Mines"
I haul TANKERS (FUEL) and thats what I'd like to try. A possible reason we've seen more or less, the tankers breaking through, well let's just remember they are hauling about 4x's the normal.
THATS PRETTY HEAVY FOLKS!
16 - Kenny D.
OOOPs my previous comment i meant to say..........
"I'm glad the show is on, so ew can see more of the job done"
17 - Joe Benham
I like the show alot i watch it whenever its on but i think HUGH acts like an over grown kid and a bully he drives a decent truck and lets the other guys he hired to drive his hand me downs trucks that break down all the time and one with no heat and then has the nerve to blame the other guys for the trucks breaking down.He should get off his rear end and drive one of his rejects and ALEX seems to me like a pillar of society keep going ALEX i hope you make it all and then some safely
18 - Joe Benham
HAROLD those redneck drivers from the deep south that you desribe have more class and on the ball that HUGH ever thought about having
19 - Just A Lurker
Alex is the class act of the group. Gets the job done, sets a good example, and I'd rather work for him than the "polar bear" anyway. It sounds like none of the other experienced drivers want to, either.
20 - khumiefindmee
that's what I thought to regarding TJ and his no insurance remark. If he's Canadian and most of these guys sure sound like they are, Why don't he have any health insurance? so if he doesn't have any health insurance, why? is he in an exempt group?
21 - DP
I, too, like the show. I watch it because I like trucks. Have all my life. Jay is my favorite. For a young guy he sure seems to be "on the ball." He's more mature than his years would suggest. Why do you suppose he's the one trusted with the dangerous loads? Hugh is a prick. I would like to know what his employee turnover rate is. As a business owner, if you want to make money, and Hugh makes no bones about it..he wants to make money, you have to start with your "internal customers". Internal customers are your own employees. Hugh cannot expect his employees to buy into his philosophy by treating them in such a manner. He makes for good tv but he makes for a lousy owner. That point is proven nearly every episode.
22 - Rolf--business owner
Hugh is a funny guy. I have met his type before. Tough as hell and makes no bones about it. Basically, he is an asshole. It was clear he wanted to get the most loads than anyone in the season, and did. What really irks me is that he let Drew and Alex (his best friend!) suffer in his shitty trucks while he no doubt kept the best equipment for himself. I actually think he would not have let Alex beat him if he could at all help it, and clearly he stood by and let his workers suffer. Hugh is the type of boss who cares only for himself and holds his own workers in disdain. If that is how he treats his on employees, I would hate to be the man's costumer, much less give him any of my money. What bosses like Hugh always fail to realize is that treating one's workers fairly is in one's own best interest. A worker who resents you will never hesitate to fuck you over when given the chance. On the other hand, treat people with respect and they will do right by you---even when your back is turned!
23 - Mike
The impressive thing about what these guys do is the temperature. Anything man-made, especially if it's mechanical, fails when it gets too cold. I've seen it happen here in Chicago at 0 degrees, and I can't imagine how much stuff would break at -40. Of course, now that the show's been on television all over the continent, next year there will be scads of "Ice Road Groupies" who will make their way up to Yellowknife in the hopes of paying a driver to ride shotgun for a run. I wonder what Nuna and Tli Cho will think of that?
24 - Brad
Greetings ice road truckers from tropical Pennsylvania!!! Really love the show! My favorite driver is Alex. He sure sets a good example on the road, and gets the job done! Every driver has their good points, so hats off to all of them! May God bless!
25 - wolfslowrider
This is to hugh I personally don"t think your nothing but, just being yourself and not an asshole but,just being a funny guy and a boss and i think your right about rick!an, as i watch the show! rick had plenty of times to get the heat fixed in your truck and all he did was sit around and drink! now for the other yahoos that drove for you i was stressed out, sitting there watchin the show wondering why you hadn"t fired their asses! especially DREW himself well keep up the good work hugh! an forget about what evereyone has to say about you and remember that your running a business an not looking for freinds!