Carlile Transportation/Ice Road Truckers

[Hooligan]

I don't know if they have remote bases for the VHF LMR system, but it seems like many/most (all?) the trucks also have the Qualcomm Omnitracs system (or something similar) which they can use to send/receive text messages via mobile satellite service SATCOM to their dispatcher. The system is also capable of automatically alerting the dispatcher if a truck exceeds a certain speed, so I don't know how some of the drivers get away with it.

That Hugh guy is an interesting character, but it seems like the show producers must be paying a bribe to the trucking co. and/or paying his insurance bills, since certainly by now the trucking company he works for knows that he's somewhat reckless on the road & thus if he causes a crash with injuries there is enhanced liability.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

LAS VEGAS — 04-10-2004 —
Carlile Transportation Systems is the first Alaska based carrier to conduct its own trial of OmniTRACS, allowing the Carlile operation to ensure the safety and security of their high value and sensitive loads.
n addition to Alaska’s transportation fleets, the extended service coverage will also allow Boatracs, LLC, Qualcomm’s exclusive marine distributor, to provide marine-based coverage for tug boats, barges and fishing boats in Alaska and Hawaii.
http://italy.qualcomm.com/news/releases/2004/041004_omnitracs_hi_al.html

Note: Boatracs, LLC is now part of AirIQ.
http://www.airiq.com/

 

[SCPD]

Two very good answers to my question. Thanks very much.

Yes, Hugh is interesting. It seems unfair that Matt (?) was put on the end of his rope for sliding of the road when Hugh has done much worse, and more often. Not to mention that Hugh's attitude is terrible, to the point of contempt for the other Carlisle driver's. He's like the old Disney cartoon where Goofy does that Jekyll and Hyde thing when behind the wheel. That stop made by the commercial enforcement officer should have been worse as was the visit to the weigh station. They gave the benefit of the doubt to the one person who should have had the book thrown at him. Then he turns around and boasts about and passing another driver on a blind curve.

 

[zzdiesel]

I have a strong feeling that Hugh won't be back if they have another season. I hope they do. This "deadly roads" series is not near as good.

 

[n1iic]

The Carlisle supervisor did say Hugh won't be back. Also don't forget that it's hollywood. They can make a sweet little girl at a candy store look like a serial killer.
I have also seen the Qualcomm's in some trucks, haven't noticed them in all, so apparently it is a test.

 

[gary123]

im betting Hugh will be back even if its on "probation". Im sure its his attitude towards the cargo that has dispatch upset, but on the other hand doing 18 runs last season cant be ignored either.

 

[zzdiesel]

I hope there is a next season of Ice Roads. This new series on the mountain roads is not as interesting.

 

[blue5011]

I drove for Carlile ten years ago. You will find modded Yaesu and Icoms in most all big rigs driving in Alaska. It is really nice to know where the MOOSE and CARIBOU were! ARROW is/ was the Parks Hwy channel, also ch 14 (CB) was used on the Parks Hwy so we didn't have to listen to the tourists in their campers. Using the VHF radio I could talk to many of the other Drivers (Lynden, Food Service, SeaLand) that had company VHF radio's.

Carlile used to have business band (UHF) w/ repeaters in ACH and FBX. I got an old list somewhere -- I am sure they are using newer stuff now. Heck, its Alaska, it's not like anyone is going to hear the Drivers as they go up and down the Parks and Dalton Hwy. How do you think the Drivers get a hold of AK troopers and the Alyeska Pipeline Service Co? When I drove the only thing on the highway at night was trucks.

Thing is, because of the remoteness even the CB works better, as there is little to no electrical interference. There were times I could talk to someone 15-20 miles up or down the highway. Most of the time the squelch could be backed off completely. The AK troopers had CB's so we could talk to them also, which I did whenever one went by me. Another Driver and I even helped stop a bank robber once by blocking the road.

Well I have carried on long enough...

 

[MtnBiker2005]

blue5011,
Welcome to the RadioReference Forum.
Thanks for stopping by and telling your story about Alaska trucking

 

[n5ims]

The Carlisle supervisor did say Hugh won't be back.

Don't forget that their first season in Alaska, Hugh worked for Carlisle and Alex worked for another company. They can simply switch it around next season to keep Hugh, if that's what it takes to get the show on with the cast they want.

 

[n1iic]

Thanks alot, Blue. Now we can't speculate anymore!!! Thank you for your info, and feel free to blabber on anytime. It's kind of a niche thread we have here so feel free to tell a couple of stories.

Don't forget that their first season in Alaska, Hugh worked for Carlisle and Alex worked for another company. They can simply switch it around next season to keep Hugh, if that's what it takes to get the show on with the cast they want.

That is a great point. It seems there has been a lot of obvious fabricated drama so I bet carries into next year too.

Jason

 

[blue5011]

Not that I am the spelling police but it is "C A R L I L E" not Carlisle. The company was started by two brothers in Anchorage. Great guys to work for, I just got tired of the snow and cold. I doubt IRT will be back in AK anytime soon. From what my Alaskan friends told me, the production crew really had to stretch the show along this last year. Not that driving truck in AK isn't fun and exicting, it can also be very boring and uneventful. Many of the Drivers, who I met on the road nightly, I only knew by "voice", never saw them in person. We were all busy trying to make a living!

Most of the Drivers just want to talk to their buddies who work for a different company. Some guys had Motorola radios programed for other companies. Others used modded ham radios.

I was probably the only ham radio op in the bunch. Yeah, I know, some of you will say I broke the faith. Well, I did what I needed to do to keep in touch with what was happening "on the road". When it is 55 below zero outside, I am glad there is someone at the other end of the microphone. When there is a truck "spun-out on a hill" I am getting ready to climb, I want to know if he is in my lane or when my truck breaks down and I need help.

 

[MtnBiker2005]

Ice Road Truckers - Season Premiere Sunday June 5th,2011
http://www.history.com/shows/ice-road-truckers

TV Listing: All Upcoming Times for Ice Road Truckers
http://tvlistings.zap2it.com/tv/ice-road-truckers/upcoming-episodes/EP00388963

 

[zzdiesel]

What happened to Lisa? She used to be so fine. I do think she dyed her hair. :-(

 

[n1iic]

Yeah, she even said she dyed her hair red. Bad color. Her cheek bones also sitck out a lot this year, so I hope she didn't do a botox thing. She just looks tired this year.

 

[W2NJS]

Earlier this week I watching the Ice Road show and in one cab there was a radio which was clearly a CB unit (lots of chrome trim and chrome knobs) with a clear "19" showing on its front. This clearly does not fit in with the information above but I know what I saw. I have also seen Icoms on earlier shows.

 

[zzdiesel]

You are right about her looking tired. Hopefully, she won't ever do again what she did to herself.

 

[canav844]

Earlier this week I watching the Ice Road show and in one cab there was a radio which was clearly a CB unit (lots of chrome trim and chrome knobs) with a clear "19" showing on its front. This clearly does not fit in with the information above but I know what I saw. I have also seen Icoms on earlier shows.

They've got more than just one radio, usually 1 or 2 plus the CB.

 

[blue5011]

Earlier this week I watching the Ice Road show and in one cab there was a radio which was clearly a CB unit (lots of chrome trim and chrome knobs) with a clear "19" showing on its front. This clearly does not fit in with the information above but I know what I saw. I have also seen Icoms on earlier shows.

When I drove truck in Alaska there were fewer than five trucks I saw on the Parks Hwy that did not have CB radios in them. Every one of Carlile trucks have a CB in them, plus business band UHF. Many of the drivers also put in VHF radios (at their expense). I had three radios (CB, VHF, company UHF) in my truck and a "brick" cellphone, as the mini cellphones we have now did not exist twelve years ago. In fact, if I had to travel south of Cantwell I needed to change the roaming on my phone (from System A to System B).

Alaska is a big place. There are no villages or towns along the Dalton, it is wilderness. Coldfoot, is basically a camp of maybe ten/ twenty people. I just don't see the FCC getting their undies in a bunch for such a waste of resources stinging truck drivers in the wilderness. As I have stated before "I WANT to know if there is a moose ahead of me, an accident, or a truck blocking the road". When it is 55 below zero any communication device I use is an "Emergency" in my opinion.

 

[rckydenver]

Anyone watch the lastest IRT, Season 5 called Meltdown, they showed the radio they where using and also the freqency 160.125 its around the 23 min mark. Just view on the History Ch website.