Intermodal Position Local / Short Regional

CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver (Memphis Rail Ramp Fleet)

Hiring Area: Memphis Metro • Terminal: Memphis Rail Ramp

Memphis, TN Daily Home Time Company Driver

Local intermodal container work between Memphis rail ramps and Mid-South distribution points pays $1,450–$2,000 weekly ($75,400–$104,000 annually) with daily home time on rotating day/night assignments.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,450–$2,000
Estimated Annual: $75,400–$104,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles Local / Short-Haul
Freight Type Sealed Intermodal Containers

Position Overview

Drivers move sealed intermodal containers between Memphis-area rail terminals, distribution centers, industrial customers and staging yards under a primarily local model with occasional short regional extensions.

  • Confirm container numbers, seal integrity and release status at rail facilities.
  • Perform chassis inspections for tires, lights, locks and structural condition.
  • Follow rail-ramp gate procedures and terminal traffic patterns.
  • Coordinate customer appointments and complete electronic POD documentation.
  • Report delays, equipment issues and container status to dispatch promptly.
  • Maintain accurate ELD records and remain HOS-compliant throughout the shift.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation runs on an hourly model with overtime and qualifying container activity pay rather than pure mileage. A representative week of 40 regular hours at $26 plus 8 overtime hours generates about $1,350 before qualifying container activity pay; additional activity earnings can bring a typical week closer to the stated range.

Typical Weekly Gross $1,450–$2,000
Estimated Annual $75,400–$104,000
Base Hourly Rate $20–$28
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500 (paid in stages)
Overtime & Activity Time-and-a-half + container activity pay
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Daily
Operating Area Memphis, Southaven, Olive Branch, West Memphis & Mid-South corridors
Terminal Memphis rail-ramp fleet
Shift Pattern Rotating day/night rail-ramp assignments
Typical Dispatch Window 4:00 AM–8:00 AM for day blocks; separate evening blocks

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Models International LT (model years 2020–2024)
Cab Configuration Day-cab and regional-configured
Transmission Automatic
In-Cab Features Air-ride suspension, A/C, Omnitracs ELD, collision mitigation, side-object detection, forward-facing camera
Assignment Company-maintained; controlled slip-seating possible initially

Drivers work 20-, 40- and 53-foot containers on company or customer chassis with sliding options where required. Chassis lighting, brakes, pin-locks and air lines are checked before leaving the rail facility.

Real Routes

Sealed intermodal containers carry consumer products, packaged retail merchandise, industrial materials, manufactured goods, imported products and domestic warehouse replenishment freight. Moves stay no-touch.

  • Memphis, TN → Olive Branch, MS via I-55 / I-269 and local warehouse corridors
  • Memphis, TN → Southaven, MS via I-55 and US-78
  • Memphis, TN → West Memphis, AR via I-40 and the Mississippi River bridge
  • Memphis, TN → Jackson, TN or Brownsville, TN via I-40
  • Memphis, TN → Covington, TN via US-51 / I-40 connections
  • Occasional short-regional runs to Tupelo, MS or Little Rock, AR when assigned

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Receive first container assignment and terminal instructions via ELD at shift start.
  • Complete pre-trip on tractor and chassis, verifying numbers, locks and lights.
  • Enter rail facility during the assigned gate window and mount or couple the unit.
  • Deliver to the customer gate, confirm appointment and seal, then wait for release.
  • Accept the next live assignment—another load, empty return or chassis reposition—while still on site.
  • Return equipment to the rail ramp or staging yard and park at the company terminal.

About This Memphis Intermodal Fleet

Rail-ramp container logistics in the Mid-South depend on carriers that can match train unload cycles with local distribution and industrial demand. This mid-sized regional operation focuses on intermodal movements that link major Memphis rail facilities with nearby warehouses and manufacturing sites. The fleet specializes in wheeled and grounded container handling rather than long-haul dry van, giving drivers a steady mix of terminal and short-haul customer work. Operations remain centered on the Memphis freight network so equipment and drivers stay available for same-day rail releases and appointment windows.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision insurance
Retirement 401(k) plan
Time Off Paid time off eligibility
Training & Support Paid orientation, rail-ramp and chassis inspection training
Additional Safety incentives, referral program, paid DOT physical renewals, employee assistance

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL with current medical card
  • 6+ months verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred
  • Acceptable MVR with no recent major preventable violations
  • Minimum age 21; ability to work rotating day/night shifts
  • TWIC helpful but not required unless a specific facility demands it

Operational Delays

  • Train unload cycles create gate congestion at rail facilities.
  • Chassis availability can shift during the shift.
  • Customer appointment windows and warehouse door delays.
  • Peak traffic on I-40, I-55 and Mississippi River bridges.
  • Weather affecting ramp operations and travel times.

Hiring Process

1
Application Review
Same business day
2
Phone Screen & MVR
Experience and record check
3
Background & Drug Screen
Clearinghouse query included
4
Orientation & First Dispatch
Paid; typically completed within 5–10 business days after required screenings are cleared

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are the containers pre-mounted or do I handle grounded units? ▼
Both. Wheeled operations often have pre-mounted boxes; grounded facilities require terminal equipment to mount the container before street movement.
Q: How often do assignments change after I leave the terminal? ▼
Frequently. Rail release status, chassis availability or a higher-priority box can prompt dispatch to redirect you mid-shift.
Q: Is overnight parking ever required? ▼
Rarely. Most shifts end at the Memphis terminal. Longer short-regional moves may use approved truck stops or customer yards when HOS requires it.
Q: Do I need prior intermodal experience? ▼
No. Strong general CDL-A experience is accepted; additional terminal orientation covers coupling, pin-locks and ramp procedures.
Q: How is detention handled? ▼
Limited detention is paid when customer or rail delays meet company thresholds; drivers report status early so dispatch can decide whether to wait or reassign.
Q: What happens if a chassis has a defect at the ramp? ▼
Report it immediately. Drivers are expected to refuse unsafe equipment rather than leave the facility with known tire, light or structural problems.

CDL Job Market

Memphis ranks among the top U.S. freight hubs, supporting a large and varied CDL-A job market. Local and short-regional intermodal, dedicated dry-van, food distribution, and intermodal drayage positions remain in steady demand. Five Class I railroads and extensive warehouse capacity keep hiring active year-round for drivers who prefer daily home time. Regional and OTR carriers also recruit heavily from the metro, but local intermodal and shuttle roles consistently attract experienced drivers seeking predictable schedules. Specialized equipment work—flatbed, tanker and refrigerated—adds further openings. Overall, the concentration of rail, distribution and manufacturing creates reliable demand across most CDL-A categories.

Location & Freight Market

Memphis functions as a primary inland intermodal gateway because five Class I railroads converge here and major interstate corridors (I-40, I-55) cross the Mississippi River. Container volumes arrive by rail from both coasts, then move by truck to distribution centers in Southaven, Olive Branch, West Memphis and surrounding industrial parks. Consumer goods, retail merchandise and industrial materials flow continuously through these facilities, generating constant short-haul demand. Major Memphis rail facilities support round-the-clock freight activity and scheduled container movements. Seasonal import peaks and retail restocking cycles further increase container activity. Geography and rail infrastructure together keep the local intermodal market active throughout the year.

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