Women on the Ice Roads

[BeatleJuice]

Wondered if there's any women out there driving the ice roads, either thru a trucking company or just doing their own thing.

Looking to do a story for intl TV....
(If there aren't any women ice truckers, I am open to suggestions...looking to do a piece about a woman working in some capacity on the ice roads.)

Any advice/contacts would be most appreciated!

[Soladad]

Lady North posts on this site and she is a lady trucker out of Canada. Might want to drop her a PM.

Soladad

[mapleleaf_1]

Yes, I used to drive them in northern Ontario Canada. Up James Bay to Fort Albany and Attawapiskat. Was a little hairy doing it the first couple of times. The changing ice due to temps and weather. We'd do it from about mid November to mid April. There were no roads that connected these villages. You had to either do things by boat or plane the rest of the year. Was a very interesting experience. Drive safe everyone.

[LadyNorthStar]

I debate every year all fall whether or not I'm going in January. Decided against it this year too, didn't want to come back to no job.
I only know of one woman who went last year, but she is a bit of a whack job and not TV suitable. lol
All the trucks are pullin out of here this week to head to Yellowknife and Hay River.

[landstartammy]

I have been a truck driver (long-haul) for about 17 years. I have been through ice, snow and every other weather type imaginable. I love the idea that you want to do a piece on women dealing with weather/trucks. I have been a trainer, truck driving instructor, dispatcher and now a recruiter for trucking. I have been through parts of Canada and all the upper United States in foul weather. I can also put you in contact with a couple of other women that drive trucks through this "wonderful winter wonderland".

[LadyNorthStar]

Tammy (good name :wink: ) She's looking for ladies who've driven on the ice roads, not just in Canada. Wayyyy up in the Northwest Territories where there are no roads, in the winter they create ice roads, Not much else underneath you than frozen water. It's interesting, there are severe speed limits and what not.

I had a run in with a land star truck the other day, guy almost ran me off the road and almost nailed a pulled over 4 wheeler. I was totally unimpressed.

PS: If you go to fast and make the ice mad, this happens.

[landstartammy]

I drove 99% in the United States. My Canada experience is limited to the southern providences. That picture reminds me of last year running across I80. I was creeping across WY at about 35mph watching truck after truck fly past me. Naturally they had to make their comments about "women not being able to drive". I just waved and smiled at most of them when I drove by them as they sat in the ditches, etc.

Sorry to hear about your run in with one of our trucks. I totally understand how you feel. :shock:

Keep it safe!! 8)

[LadyNorthStar]

Naturally they had to make their comments about "women not being able to drive". I just waved and smiled at most of them when I drove by them as they sat in the ditches, etc.

I think all women drivers should come run up North for a spell, they'd probably never want to leave! If you can handle the weather, and get yourself known, the drivers up here have nothing but respect for you. In fact, the really seem to love it. I've never had a problem.

Theres only me and a couple others that are up here on a regular basis, but they are truly the best of the best!

[mapleleaf_1]

Lady I do miss driving the ice roads in northern Ontario Canada. I've seen a few trucks like the pic you posted. Not a good thing when that happens to you. I never got the chance to drive in the N.W.T. or Yukon. I wish I had. If I wasn't married I'd probably want to go there now and give it a try. The winters are the best up there. Drive safe everyone.

[BanditsCousin]

I was creeping across WY at about 35mph watching truck after truck fly past me. Naturally they had to make their comments about "women not being able to drive".

Well, if thats the case, then I'm proud to "drive like a girl" It takes a split second to jacknife on a icy/snowy road at high speed.

Remember the turtle and the hare? Fastest doesn't always win the race :wink:

[Shebear]

Here I am in Newfoundland, which doesn't exactly qualify. . .

But Lady North Star, here I am a rookie gal driver with a Missouri CDL, Canadian Permanent Resident and U.S. citizen both.

I graduated from trucking school in Missouri on November 30th, and I had a couple of bad experiences with trainers with U.S. companies.

My email is tentmakertrucker@gmail.com.

If you have any companies anywhere up in Canada that I could contact, please PLEASE let me know.

I'm been a tourist driver through the Sault, Sudbury, North Bay, Edmonton, Chapais and Chicoutimi and Riviere de Loup.

I also know how to drive 35 mph on icy roads instead of letting my rig jackknife.

Thanks for any help - Signed, Shebear

[LadyNorthStar]

Too late for the ice this year shebear, the posse headed out last week and are joyfully putting in their 23 hours a day now for the next (hopefully) 2 months.

If you're looking for work and are willing to locate, why don't you head to Alberta? Endless amounts of driving jobs.

Oh, and its not a jackknife they are concerned about on the ice. Its disturbing the ice further than what it can handle and causing it to crack!

[Garmann]

The History Channel did a story on truckers driving across the frozen lakes in NWT's called Ice Road Truckers,

According to schedule. The History Channel is showing it again on Sunday the 11th of February. If anyone has time it's interesting to watch.

Ice Road Truckers.

http://www.history.com/shows.do?acti...isodeId=203467

[Nomad_]

The History Channel did a story on truckers driving across the frozen lakes in NWT's called Ice Road Truckers,

According to schedule. The History Channel is showing it again on Sunday the 11th of February. If anyone has time it's interesting to watch.

Ice Road Truckers.

http://www.history.com/shows.do?acti...isodeId=203467

Good show, I got hooked on it when I saw it the first time. Then saw a few seqments of it again during CDL school (videos).

[joettanne]

Maybe I should look into this ice road driving. I have 20yrs experience driving tankers, (fluid and no baffles). I have driven in all kinds of road conditions. It would be nice to work for a company that can appreciate your driving skills. LadyNorthStar, maybe you can pm me some information as to whom to get ahold of? I would relocate.

Much appreciated.

[bullhauler]

Some of the trucking companies hauling into Yellowknife include Grimshaw, Northwest Transport, Tli Cho, a partnership between the Dogrib Band and Byers Transport, Westcan and RTL Robinson Enterprises. RTL is headquartered in Yellowknife but the others have southern head offices.

[LadyNorthStar]

Maybe I should look into this ice road driving. I have 20yrs experience driving tankers, (fluid and no baffles). I have driven in all kinds of road conditions. It would be nice to work for a company that can appreciate your driving skills. LadyNorthStar, maybe you can pm me some information as to whom to get ahold of? I would relocate.

Much appreciated.

Joettanne....
Thinking of next year? Too late for this year. It's also not really a full time job, but a 'supplement', the guys go out for 2 months.
If you want to haul freight, well regardless of what you want to haul, I'd call RTL Robinson for information.
All I could help you with here is fuel, and its kinda like..... the bosses send who they know kinda thing.

[Shebear]

Lady North Star, is that YOUR HORSE? Gorgeous beyond belief. A nice change from seeing the tractor-trailer, frankly! - Shebear

[LadyNorthStar]

lol...Thats Clifford, hes been in my avatar a few months.
Yes hes one of my ponies. (Huge Clydesdale cross "pony")

[crankyazz]

umm just my opinion, isnt that a little sexist to do a story on women driving on ice roads? btw who would give a chit whether its a guy or a girl on icy roads.. sounds like a dumb story.