Background info on “Ice Road Truckers” TV show

michael

In 1974 the American author Edith Inglauer published a book called “Denison’s Ice Road”. The book was reissued in 1982, 1991, and 2000. The book details how many truck drivers risk their lives on a 325-mile ice road that connects Yellowknife to silver mine on Great Bear Lake. The truck drivers must endure the freezing cold and must face numerous perils during their voyage on an ice road that crosses over eleven frozen lakes.

The book served as inspiration for a 46-minute documentary that The History Channel aired in 2000. The documentary was also called “Ice Road Truckers” and it was part of the “Dangerous Missions” series (formerly called “Suicide Missions”, the title had to be changed after 9-11). Dawn Fitzgerald, a producer currently working on the “Ice Road Trucker” series says that the 46-minute documentary served as an incentive.

The viewers got a brief taste of the “ice road action” and wanted to see more. “It’s very romantic. It’s a frontier that few people have ever seen. Not everybody is fit for the Iceroad, but they can envision themselves behind the wheel of a truck. It’s this blue-collar job that takes people out there and really pushes the limits of the average guy.” (Dawn Fitzgerald)

The production crew of the “Ice Road Truckers” series:

• Thom Beers: Executive Producer. He is also the CEO and Executive Producer of Original Productions.
• Philip Segal: Executive Producer. He is also the President of Original Productions.
• David McKillop: Executive Producer.
• Dolores Gavin: Executive Producer.
• Dawn Fitzgerald: Series Producer.
• Craig Constantine: Story Producer.
• Kelly Moran: Line Producer.
• Rob Butler: Editor.

The show “Ice Road Truckers” is produced by Original Productions.

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Season 1, Episode 10: “The Final Run”

steve

Original Air Date: Sunday, the 19th of August 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 110

The temperature keeps going up as spring approaches. Soon enough the ice roads will no longer be safe. Only the bravest truck drivers dare to go out on the ice road. Alex and Hugh are the main contenders for the title of most loads delivered. One last load will surely make a difference and will tip the balance in that driver’s favor.

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Season 1, Episode 9: “The Big Melt”

laura

Original Air Date: Sunday, the 12th of August 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 109

The season is almost over. The temperature is starting to rise and the last loads must be delivered as soon as possible. Since there are still many loads left, delivering them all will not be an easy task. Alex is entrusted with the safe delivery of a 100 ton electrical unit for the Diavik mine. Rick still has no heat in his truck and he is getting fed up with it. Driving in -40 degrees weather with no heat has taken its toll and Rick may be suffering from frostbite. After talking to Hugh he decides to call it quits and go home. Although the ice is starting to melt, TJ goes out on the ice road once more, making this his 18th load.

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Season 1, Episode 8: “Into the Whiteout”

joe

Original Air Date: Sunday, the 5th of August 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 108

So far the truck drivers have delivered 7000 loads to the neighboring diamond mines, but there are still 3000 loads to go. Although there are still many loads to be delivered, an arctic storm threatens to halt the traffic once again. Five trucks make a daring attempt to deliver these loads before the storm hits. TJ is one of the drivers in the convoy, but he manages to get separated from it because he overslept. Hugh is struggling as two of his drivers have decided pack it in and go home. Drew is replaced by Hugh’s friend Danny, but soon enough he runs into mechanical problems.

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Season 1, Episode 7: “The Rookie Challenge”

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Original Air Date: Sunday, the 29th of July 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 107

A new 138 miles or 222 kilometers ice road to the Colomac Gold mines opens and Alex gets to drive on it first. Unluckily, he gets stuck while climbing a hill due to loss of momentum. Hugh gets an oil and tire change and then proceeds to delivering his 17th load. Drew and T.J. run into a patch of bad luck as Drew runs out of gas and T.J. is struck with severe abdominal pains. Drew has several other mechanical problems and eventually he decides to pack it in and head back home. TJ returns to the ice road after receiving medical aid, but because he had no medical insurance he is charged a hefty $12,000 by the hospital.

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Season 1, Episode 6: “Driving on Thin Ice”

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Original Air Date: Sunday, the 22nd of July 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 106

One of the trucks on the ice road goes through the ice. It is the worst accident that can happen on the ice road and the emergency crews respond immediately.

• TJ is the subject of a negligent driving investigation.
• Rick keeps driving although he has no heat in his cab.
• Jay is charged with delivering a 95,000 pound or 43 ton diamond ore scrubber to the De Beers mine.

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Season 1, Episode 5: “Midseason Mayhem”

joe

Original Air Date: Sunday, the 15th of July 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 105

So far the truck drivers have delivered 4000 loads to the neighboring diamond mines, but there are still 6000 loads to go. An overturned fuel tanker blocks the traffic. The fuel threatens to pollute the waters of Yellowknife River if it manages to spill. The truckers that do not respect the speed restrictions have to suffer the consequences of their actions. Some have blowouts and others are banned from the ice road. TJ Tilcox upgrades to a Volvo truck, but manages to crash it.

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Season 1, Episode 4: “The Big Chill”

laura

Original Air Date: Sunday, the 8th of July 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 104

• Jay Westgard gets the job of delivering three giant water purifiers to the De Beers diamond mine.
• Drew Sherwood’s truck is finally fixed and he can get back on the ice road.
• TJ Tilcox keeps on going strong, although he weatherproofed his truck with duct tape.

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Season 1, Episode 3: “Dash for the Cash”

joe

Original Air Date: Sunday, the 1st of July 2007, at 10 PM ET/PT.
Runtime: 60 minutes.
Production Code: 103

An arctic storm hits Yellowknife and all traffic is once again stopped. Alex Debogorski has to safely deliver a 44,000-pound or 20 short tons diamond-ore crusher.

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How To Get An Ice Road Trucking Job

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After the TV show put Ice Road Trucking into the public spotlight, we have seen lots of people who were previously unfamilar with the profession express an interest in it. Watching the show while sipping a Coors Lights on your comfy leather couch really does make it look fun and glamorous. But with no doubt, ice road trucking is a damn tough job. Do you really have what it takes - can you stay awake for days on end with no sleep, no coffee and keep a 60,000+ lbs truckload balanced on a path through the ice? Many will try, few will have what it takes to stick with it.

If you really are interested in getting a job ice road trucking, you might want to check in with Nuna Logistics first. They hire for these positions:

• Site Managers
• Truck Drivers
• Mechanics
• Welders
• Equipment Operators

You can forward resumes to:

Nuna Contracting Ltd.
Human Resources Department
Suite 202, 5109 - 48 Street
Yellowknife, NT, X1A 1N5

Here is their online application form.

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