Local Intermodal Position Home Daily

CDL-A Intermodal Drayage Driver — Santa Teresa Rail & Container Shuttle

Hiring Area: Santa Teresa / El Paso Borderplex • Base: Santa Teresa, NM

Santa Teresa, NM Local Day-Cab Tractors

Shuttle domestic and international intermodal containers between the Santa Teresa rail facility, local yards and El Paso Borderplex customers. Typical weekly gross $1,000–$1,300 with daily home return on short-haul chassis work.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,000–$1,300
Estimated Annual at Typical: $57,200
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,200
Home Time Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles Short-Haul Local
Freight Type Intermodal Containers

Position Overview

Local intermodal work moves sealed containers between the Union Pacific (UP) intermodal ramp, staging yards, cross-docks and customer locations under soft dispatch driven by releases, chassis status and appointment windows.

  • Verifies container and chassis numbers before leaving any facility.
  • Completes safe coupling, uncoupling and full chassis connection checks.
  • Follows rail terminal gate procedures and carrier-specific ramp rules.
  • Records accurate arrival and release times for detention purposes.
  • Notifies dispatch of equipment defects, delays or number mismatches.
  • Handles BOL, interchange and electronic POD documentation.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation is hourly because gate time, yard moves and short turns often outweigh pure highway miles. Overtime may apply when rail or customer activity extends the shift.

Hourly Rate $24.50–$32.00
40-Hour Base Range $980–$1,280
Typical Weekly Gross $1,000–$1,300
Midpoint Example ≈ $1,120 (40 hrs × $28)
Estimated Annual (Typical) $57,200
Annual Range (at 40 hrs) ≈ $52,000–$67,600
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,200 ($400 after 30 / 90 / 180 days)
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit
Detention Paid according to customer and carrier policy

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Daily return under normal conditions
Typical Workweek Approximately 40 hours + occasional extra hours
Operating Area Santa Teresa – El Paso Borderplex – Las Cruces
Base Location Santa Teresa, NM
Dispatch Style Soft / fluid — sequence shifts with releases and availability
34-Hour Reset Not required for this local position

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Age Approximately 4–7 years average
Tractor Makes Freightliner and Kenworth day-cabs
Transmission Automatic
Safety & Technology ELD, backup cameras, idle-control systems, collision-warning / lane-assist on newer units, air-ride suspension
Chassis Compatible with 20', 40' and domestic 53' containers; sliding or adjustable as required
Assignment Fluid; occasional slip-seating or mid-shift equipment changes

Routine maintenance is handled at the local terminal. Roadside issues are coordinated through dispatch and service providers. Chassis or tractor changes can occur during a shift when equipment is repaired or repositioned.

Real Routes

Sealed intermodal containers typically carry manufactured goods, consumer products, industrial components, packaging and machinery-related freight. Both domestic and international equipment appear depending on the rail program.

  • Santa Teresa rail facility ↔ El Paso customer or warehouse locations
  • Santa Teresa ↔ West El Paso and East El Paso distribution sites
  • Santa Teresa ↔ Las Cruces, NM short turns
  • Return moves from El Paso or Las Cruces back into Santa Teresa
  • Santa Teresa ↔ Anthony, NM or Vado, NM industrial points
  • Primary corridors include I-10, NM-136, local El Paso routes and Loop 375
  • Common pattern: ramp pickup → customer drop or live → empty return or second turn

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Shift begins with the first container assignment and a pre-trip on tractor and chassis.
  • Arrive at the Santa Teresa rail facility, complete gate processing and equipment inspection.
  • Secure the container and verify numbers, lights, tires, air lines, brakes, pin locks and seal.
  • Deliver to the customer for drop-and-hook or live appointment handling.
  • Receive the next assignment — empty return, new loaded container or chassis reposition.
  • Productive shifts often complete 4–8 cycles; slower days reflect gate or release waits.
  • Return equipment to the terminal or approved parking and fuel at designated locations.

About the Operation

Rail intermodal volume at Santa Teresa creates ongoing demand for short-haul container movement between the Union Pacific facility and nearby warehouses, staging yards and production sites across the El Paso Borderplex. Local drayage capacity bridges that gap by turning chassis, managing gate documentation and keeping containers moving according to releases and customer appointments rather than long-haul mileage. The work exists because containers must transfer efficiently between rail and highway within a compact operating radius.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company contribution or match (subject to plan terms)
Training Paid orientation, ramp procedures, chassis inspection and documentation training
Operational Support Company ELD, fuel card, terminal parking, roadside breakdown coordination
Additional Uniforms after probation, paid DOT physical renewal when required, safety and performance incentives

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical certification
  • Approximately 6 months CDL-A experience preferred; intermodal experience helpful but not required
  • Acceptable MVR with no major preventable violations or recent serious disqualifications
  • Must meet FMCSA and company qualification standards; authorized for interstate operation
  • TWIC preferred; not required at initial application unless a specific assignment demands it
  • Ability to repeatedly enter/exit the cab, inspect chassis and work outdoors in varying weather

Operational Delays

  • Container listed as available but not yet positioned or released at the ramp
  • Temporary chassis shortages when multiple empties return at once
  • Gate congestion, appointment windows or terminal processing surges
  • Customer yard full or previous equipment still occupying the door
  • I-10 traffic, construction, strong winds or dust in industrial areas
  • Uneven activity caused by rail arrival and release patterns

Hiring Process

1
Application
Submit CDL details and work history
2
Phone Screen
Recruiter reviews experience and schedule fit
3
Verification
CDL, MVR, employment history and Clearinghouse query
4
Orientation & Dispatch
Local training, equipment orientation, first assignment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many containers will I typically move in a shift? ▼
Productive days often produce 4–8 cycles. The actual number depends on gate flow, container releases and customer readiness rather than a fixed quota.
Q: Do I unload the contents of the containers? ▼
No. Customer personnel handle the freight inside the container. Drivers manage the equipment, documentation and safe placement.
Q: Is a TWIC card required to begin work? ▼
TWIC is preferred but not required for initial hire. Specific customer or terminal assignments may later require it; assistance is typically available.
Q: Are recent CDL school graduates considered? ▼
Recent graduates are not the primary target. Candidates with solid safety records and the ability to learn ramp and chassis procedures may be reviewed at management discretion.
Q: What if a chassis fails inspection at the ramp? ▼
Report the defect before leaving the facility. Dispatch and maintenance coordinate a safe resolution or equipment exchange.
Q: Will I only see one container length? ▼
No. The operation can involve 20', 40' and domestic 53' containers depending on the assigned rail program and customer.

CDL Job Market — Santa Teresa / El Paso

Santa Teresa forms a specialized pocket within the larger El Paso Borderplex labor market rather than a broad standalone CDL hub. Most openings center on intermodal drayage, cross-border manufacturing support, warehousing and regional truckload. Competing employers include pure drayage operators, LTL carriers, dedicated distribution fleets and construction haulers. Intermodal experience carries added value because chassis inspections, rail-gate procedures and changing equipment status differ from standard local dry-van work. Overall CDL-A supply is moderate; the greater challenge is locating drivers comfortable with ramp variability and precise documentation. Wage levels vary by freight type, with specialized or higher-volume roles generally sitting above basic local rates.

Location & Freight Market

Santa Teresa serves as a strategic inland intermodal point for the El Paso Borderplex. The Union Pacific facility supports recurring rail and container activity that must transfer between rail and highway. Cross-border manufacturing, industrial warehousing and distribution create the underlying freight base. I-10 connects the area to Las Cruces and the wider Southwest corridor, while NM-136 provides primary access into the Santa Teresa industrial zone. Local arterials and Loop 375 handle movements between the rail corridor and El Paso facilities. Freight intensity fluctuates with rail arrivals, warehouse receiving windows and manufacturing schedules rather than a uniform daytime warehouse pattern. This combination of rail operations and nearby industrial demand sustains consistent short-haul intermodal needs throughout the year.

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