Ice Road Trucker

t3kno_tr0n|c said:
So... Im reaching that stage in my life now where i wanna do something totally different, and go somewhere and just let loose on something.

I hate people, and think that most humans are complete morons, so I am thinking of going to the Arctic circle in Canada and becoming and Ice Road Trucker.
Has anyone got any experience of this?

Would it be best to get my HGV licence over here first, or should I just go and get a licence over there?

Would Canada even let a UK person into their gaff?

Any constructive answers would be welcomed.
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You are asking at a computer hardware forum if any has experience of being an ice road trucker at the arctic circle???

WTF!!!! Most people here don't get out of their houses unless forced!!

talking about asking the wrong people for career/life advice!
 
t3kno_tr0n|c said:
What if I called a trucking company..
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Why not use you current skills as a base?

If you really want to emigrate use your IT skills. If they are of a sufficient quality they are in demand. Once you are settled in your new home and have leave to stay go after your dream job or just build yourself a cabin in the woods and live out there.

Here is a handy 8 part guide :D

Part of me wanted to drive mine trucks after watching this vid but I know the novelty will wear off pretty darn quick.

 
t3kno_tr0n|c said:
So... Im reaching that stage in my life now where i wanna do something totally different, and go somewhere and just let loose on something.

I hate people, and think that most humans are complete morons, so I am thinking of going to the Arctic circle in Canada and becoming and Ice Road Trucker.

Has anyone got any experience of this?

Would it be best to get my HGV licence over here first, or should I just go and get a licence over there?

Would Canada even let a UK person into their gaff?

Any constructive answers would be welcomed.
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Well the HGV test is quite hard, you have a theory test, Cat C test(Rigid trucks), Cat CE test (artics) and then the CPC which is another weeks course.

That will come to £2,000 or more for starters.

On top of that it will be a good year or so of HGV driving before everything slots together and driving the truck comes completely naturally.

I fancy a year in New Zealand truck driving and they ask for 3 years experience trucking before letting you in, so I have 15 months to go.... Not sure how much Canada require.

EDIT: Truck firms like folk with licences and experience, not wanabees, so be prepared to be brushed off until you have the licence.
 
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t3kno_tr0n|c said:
What if I called a trucking company...

and offered to work for minimum wage until I was qualified to drive a truck?

Or offered to be an office monkey, or a general dogsbody for a really low wage?

If they offered me a job, could I emigrate for a couple of years, or do I still have to be on a list of official jobs??
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Is your current profession on this list, and do you have several years experience;

Restaurant and Food Service Managers
Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management (Quota filled)
Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
Biologists and Related Scientists
Architects
Specialist Physicians
General Practitioners and Family Physicians
Dentists
Pharmacists
Physiotherapists
Registered Nurses
Medical Radiation Technologists
Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
Licensed Practical Nurses
Psychologists
Social Workers
Chefs
Cooks
Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
Industrial Electricians
Plumbers
Welders & Related Machine Operators
Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
Crane Operators
Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

No? Then sorry, the door to Canada are closed. Yes? Good, but do you have a degree, speak French fluently and have £15,000 tucked away? Because those are all things that help you get in (I know as I am currently half way through my Canadian visa application). If you are serious about it (Which I doubt you are tbh) then you could try a 1 year Bunac Visa.

Hank_Marvin said:
Anyone seen Swamp Loggers? Only seen a couple, better then axe men though and ice road truckers.
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Better than ice road truckers? Blasphemy! :p
 
I didnt want to say this but....

I was on a road that even the snow plough got stuck on, but in a diesel FWD car I managed to carry on and get home.

So this leads me to belive that my driving tecnique is better than most.

I guess this could be perceived as arrogant but its not supposed to be.

My real skill is virtualisation and IT management, so Im not wholly sure if it fits into those categories, however I did used to be a chef, so with some CV "readjusting" Im sure I could get in that way.

I didnt know you needed £15,000 though.

How come all these illegal immigrants seem to be able to get into the US and work no problem, but a hard working UK citizen cant get into a country that we used to own ?

Perplexing
 
Assuming you are serious, forget it.

It's top of the tree 'trucking'. You need plenty of trucking experience before anyone will take you on. You don't even have an HGV license.

Why would any of them employ you?

I too find it irritating that in many areas of the US you wont get served in Subway by somebody who can speak English properly or meet any non-front-desk hotel staff who can, yet skilled English people cannot move there easily, but you have to get over that.
 
[Corsa]Fox;17902295 said:
Assuming you are serious, forget it.

It's top of the tree 'trucking'. You need plenty of trucking experience before anyone will take you on. You don't even have an HGV license.

Why would any of them employ you?

I too find it irritating that in many areas of the US you wont get served in Subway by somebody who can speak English properly or meet any non-front-desk hotel staff who can, yet skilled English people cannot move there easily, but you have to get over that.
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Hey, well that was partially part of my point. On the program they had a rookie driving one of the trucks, who had clearly not got a license, as he took his theory test and failed. Perhaps he was a local and it was the local buiness looking out for him, but I was sort of hoping that they might see someone who was desperately enthusiastic and be prepared to give them a chance.

Still, these guys are going to be doing it for the next 25 years I suppose, so I have time to start learning now.

However, I dont want to drive a rubbish European (tiny) truck on congested UK roads for a few years, I want to drive a Peterbuilt supertruck on dangerously thin ice, risking my life in -50Deg C temperatures. :(
 
t3kno_tr0n|c said:
Quite the contrary, I am an excellent driver.

I have such mastery of the snow that with the recent weather I could happily sit at 50/60 mph while everyone else was doing 15.

Its like a special talent. I have such fine throttle control, its better than modern cars traction control.
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Lol. What you should do in those conditions is sit behind people really close and try and encourage them to go faster. Maybe flash them a few times. Force them to make a mistake so you can revel in how elite you are.

You lost your credibility at that point. Sorry.
 
t3kno_tr0n|c said:
How come all these illegal immigrants seem to be able to get into the US and work no problem, but a hard working UK citizen cant get into a country that we used to own ?
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You could too but you'll be very limited to the lower paid professions. Go book a flight to the states and simply don't return. You could probably find work as a labourer, cleaner, gardener, kitchen hand in a diner or similar.

You've just got to ask yourself if that is a better life than you already have.

t3kno_tr0n|c said:
On the program they had a rookie driving one of the trucks, who had clearly not got a license, as he took his theory test and failed.
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Could very well be because they thought it would make interesting tv for a while.
 
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