Being an Ice Road Trucker
Ask anyone what does being an Ice Road Trucker mean. Most will probably answer “driving a truck over icy roads back and forth to several locations”. But is it really that simple? Here are some details about this special job.
First of all, some may wonder how much Ice Road Truckers are paid. In some cases, they end up getting $90000 in three months. Canada’s tundra is one of the most desolate places on Earth, and due to the lack of experienced drivers and the money they give you, Ice Trucking becomes one of the most attracting offer when it comes to high paid jobs. Tempting, isn’t it? Not really, given the fact that the risks that they are exposed to aren’t worth all that money. You can find more about some of the dangers they encounter in a special article dedicated to this topic.
Now, what would you have to do if you were an Ice Road Trucker?
Your main job would be to take the cargo to its destination. You must take care of the cargo, and also make sure that you safely return to the place of the departure. Besides this, you must be VERY careful while driving. Some parts of the road must be crossed with a certain speed, for example, if you are lucky, you can travel with 50 km/h, or if you find a delicate area, you must not cross 5 km/h.
Secondly, you must calculate how much sleep do you need, because if you didn’t get enough rest, on a freezing weather like that, anything might go wrong. You must also take into consideration the fact that you should keep track of a certain schedule, as loading and unloading cargos in that area can be very problematic.
The truck is also an important aspect of this job. You must take very good care of your truck, for it is your companion, your best friend, which helps you carry the journey safely. If anything malfunctions, it must be quickly repaired, because timing is essential, and on those icy roads, no mistakes are allowed.
Be sure to have all life, accident or injury insurances signed when you apply for a job like this. And most of all, remember to be nice to your fellow colleagues, for you never know when you might need them.
Training is required, but all taxes will be paid by the hiring company, and usually, so will the transportation taxes to/from the city and country in witch you reside. If you live outside of Canada, you must contact the hiring company and request an application form. After you send it in, if they like what they see, you will be interviewed by phone, and if finally decide that you’re the man for the job, they will give you a Work Petition, which will help you when you go to the Canadian Embassy in your country to get a visa.
(14 votes, average: 4.79 out of 5)
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Posted on: Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 10:59 am 
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I like the show from the beginning. I wonder how to get in contact with the “polar bear”. I’m looking for chance to drive under these conditions.
July 17th, 2008 at 5:28 pmI’m 45 years old, from norway, and start driving in 1985.
How did you get your info ?? It’s not that accurate for season 2. Ask away, i’ll give you the facts the best i can..
July 18th, 2008 at 9:48 pmHow do I do this… “If you live outside of Canada, you must contact the hiring company and request an application form.”
July 19th, 2008 at 11:54 amI need too know what I need. New drivers license etc, and of course get in touch with somebody for application and so on. I don’t have the possebility to jump on a plane just like that. I have to do some planning to take care of my house, kids, and things like that. Do you think you could help me, or should forget the hole thing.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 amApply to one of the companies that hauls into the diamond mines. A good place to get your start.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:31 pmHow is Alex… we have not had any updates… is he ok??
August 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pmA work permit is required. Plus about 10 yrs experience working in Northern Canada. Try the fuel haulers that supply the Diamond mines out of Edmonton, Alberta.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:35 pmAlex is Fine. Back to work as usual.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:36 pmFirst you would need a Canadian work visa, Then a job. I would suggest looking at the fuel haulers to the diamond mines.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:40 pmwhats it likebeing a ice road trucker
September 4th, 2008 at 11:37 pmLong boring hours working in a very cold climate. Few can handle the work but for those that can it’s rewarding.
September 14th, 2008 at 1:26 pmhay was just woundering could a girl drive on the ice road
October 27th, 2008 at 9:27 pmI like a girl asking for trucking. Here in Norway there are more and more girls taking a drivers lisence. I like it.
My ex wife’s first experiens was a truck with timber. and 22 meters long…….she fixed it pretty well
I think every girl can do this, if they want to….
It takes som time to learn, but it’s the same for men and women..
good luck
November 6th, 2008 at 2:34 pmI really want to be an ice road trucker when I’m older. It’s not actually something I said just because of the show; I really do want to be one. I’m researching Canada’s universities so I can get my Canadian citizenship (it says on the Tli Cho Landtran site that ANYONE has to be a Canadian citizen to get a job of any sorts up there).
I just want to say that you don’t need 10 years of experience. Cody Meseros has been trucking since he was 19, and he was 20 when he went on the ice road in season 1. TJ was 21 and he hasn’t been trucking since he was 11. So you can go to the ice road with as little as 6 months experience (I think that would be a safe margin rather than no or practically no experience).
Sorry about having to prove you wrong Jordan :D. I didn’t think I would have to lol!
November 9th, 2008 at 3:25 pmhay i love tj tilcox he rule i want to be a ice road trucker like him
November 17th, 2008 at 6:11 pmxxxxxx
u rule tj tilcox
Well hello to all of you truck drivers. My question is. Do i have what it takes to be an iceroad trucker? I have been driving a truck scence 1990 and I would like to complett my choice of being an ultimate ice road trucker. I realize it is a very diffuclt and dangerous task. But I am willing on taking my chances safely and courteously. I see on television the dangers on the ice but the actual reality has not yet set in till i get there. Hope to see you there.Be Safe out ther.
July 12th, 2009 at 2:01 pm