Ice Road Truckers

[PUZZLDY5]

Just saw a commercial. Does anybody watch this show? I'm sorry but that is just crazy.

 

[suejai]

DH has driven on the ice roads. They are really the only way to access the oil rigs across miles and miles of muskeg (swamp). He has driven pickups and rig sized vehicles. They have specialists who monitor the state of the roads and you must follow the rules. He said it isn't such a big deal as long as you follow the rules. I think they are just searching for things to sensationalize. I imagine it could get hairy if there is a blizzard though. DH says the weight of the vehicle driving along the ice creates a wave under the ice, so the speed limits must be adhered to or the ice can break up.

Maybe it is more dangerous than he is letting on

 

[Metro West]

Yes...I watch it. I'm amazed at the bravery and determination those guys show to do that job. It's definately not for the faint of heart. Season 1 was good but I got bored with last season. This season looks to be really good!

 

[bama106]

I just started to catch on to it last season and now I am hooked and love the show.

 

[minniecarousel]

I watch - it's fascinating, especially to those of us who don't live anywhere near icy roads.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

We watched it last year, and really liked it.

we also have been watching the Deadlist catch for years.

both are great shows!

 

[Mermaid02]

I've seen it- it makes me kind of sick to my stomach though. I'm definately not brave enough to do it!

 

[minniebeth]

DH has driven on the ice roads. They are really the only way to access the oil rigs across miles and miles of muskeg (swamp). He has driven pickups and rig sized vehicles. They have specialists who monitor the state of the roads and you must follow the rules. He said it isn't such a big deal as long as you follow the rules. I think they are just searching for things to sensationalize. I imagine it could get hairy if there is a blizzard though. DH says the weight of the vehicle driving along the ice creates a wave under the ice, so the speed limits must be adhered to or the ice can break up.

Maybe it is more dangerous than he is letting on

So...do you watch the show?
This is one of my DH's favorite shows...he says he has amazing respect for the guys who do this!

 

[suejai]

So...do you watch the show?
This is one of my DH's favorite shows...he says he has amazing respect for the guys who do this!

No, I don't usually watch shows like this. Don't mean to sound like I'm downplaying how difficult the job is, it's definitely not a job I would want, and I'm glad DH no longer has to drive on roads like that anymore. Anyone who drives on any of what passes for "roads" way up North deserves respect, in my book; but I am of the opinion though, that a lot of these shows are sensationalized, not that they aren't dangerous, just that they are hyped up.

 

[MushyMushy]

I enjoy the show but I really hate the narrator. He sounds like he's trying to be John Wayne.

 

[Squirlz]

Like suejai said, it's really a pretty boring and relatively safe job. Just like any of these "reality" shows, a lot of false drama is created to make it look like something it is not.

 

[tayandjensmom]

As the wife of a truck driver, I love this show. I stress with my husband traveling from Ohio through the Mountains of PA daily. Winter time its a mess. He has over 1 million safe driving miles under his belt. Its not him I worry about, its the other guy! These guys on "the ice road", have a tough job. It takes a special person to be able to handle that. Yes, I'm sure we see some stuff blown out of proportion. But trucking driving in general is a hazardous career. Can't even imagine driving on 4' thick ice.

If it wasn't for the truck driver, life as we know it would not exist. Talk about one of the most unappreciated jobs out there.

 

[mickeyboat]

I love Deadliest Catch, but hate Ice Road Truckers.

"It's really cold ... beep ... it's reall dangerous ... beep beep ... my truck broke down ... beep beep beep ... he got more loads than I did ... beep beep beep beep."

It does seem like a lot of sensationalism to me. Maybe it would be better suited for an hour-long, yearly special.

 

[MdmMim]

Love it!

 

[jrmasm]

Like suejai said, it's really a pretty boring and relatively safe job. Just like any of these "reality" shows, a lot of false drama is created to make it look like something it is not.

So the rollercoaster is made up?

 

[JanaNs]

My brother did this job as well. He did it for 3 months because they paid an unbelievable amount of money! He stayed at a camp with the other truckers where their meals were made etc. Apparently it is quite dangerous but he got along fine, came home but said he'd never do it again.