🗺 Terminal & Service Area
- Home base: Birmingham metro terminals (CSX Fairfield, Norfolk Southern McCalla, Birmingham Intermodal)
- Service radius: Local drayage within Birmingham metro and surrounding cities including Bessemer, Hoover, Pelham, Irondale
- Freight type: Standard intermodal containers (dry vans and occasional refrigerated) on chassis
- Typical shift: Starts 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM, 10–13 hour days, Monday–Friday with occasional Saturday
📦 Daily Yard and Customer Flow
Pulling loaded containers from rail yards for delivery to warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants. Empty returns and repositioning moves make up a good portion of the day. Expect gate security, chassis swaps, and seal checks at every rail terminal. Customer facilities vary from smooth cross-docks to tighter older warehouses. Train arrivals heavily influence morning volume.
🚛 Tractors and Chassis You’ll Run
- 2021–2025 Freightliner and International day cabs
- Dedicated container chassis pool (various lengths)
- ELDs, forward-facing cameras, PrePass equipped
- In-house maintenance shop with fast turnaround for drayage-specific repairs
⚙️ Rail Yard Operations Reality
- Peak congestion at Fairfield and McCalla gates during morning train unload
- Chassis availability fluctuates — expect occasional waiting or swapping
- Live loads/unloads at customer sites mixed with drop-and-hook at rails
- Paperwork and container condition inspections required on every move
- Detention paid after 1.5 hours at customer or rail
✅ Driver Qualifications Needed
CDL
Valid Class A CDL with clean record
Experience
1+ year container/chassis drayage or intermodal strongly preferred
Credentials
Must obtain/pass TWIC card background check
Physical / Environment
Comfortable working in rail yard and industrial settings with heavy equipment
🔄 Typical Dispatch Day Patterns
- Early pulls from rail after train arrival, deliveries to Bessemer or Hoover DCs
- Midday repositioning empties back to yards or to other customers
- Afternoon mix of import/export container work with variable volume
- Some lighter days when train schedules shift; heavier days with 8–12 moves
🛡️ Pay Support and Company Coverage
🛣️ Local Traffic and Delay Factors
Birmingham interstate corridors and rail-adjacent roads see regular slowdowns, especially during shift changes and near major distribution clusters. Weather can impact yard operations and customer receiving windows. Drivers need patience with gate lines and the ability to manage variable daily move counts while staying HOS compliant.
📍 Local Intermodal Drayage in Birmingham Market
This home daily drayage role moves containers between Birmingham rail terminals and nearby customer facilities across the metro area. Drivers handle chassis-based loads of consumer goods, retail merchandise, and manufacturing materials. Shifts run 10–13 hours with early starts driven by train schedules. Pay combines $28.75–$32.50 hourly with additional per-move compensation, detention after 1.5 hours, leading to weekly estimates of $1,300–$1,750 depending on volume and efficiency. Expect typical rail yard realities — gate waits, equipment checks, and paperwork — balanced by consistent local returns each night. The operation uses well-maintained day cabs and works closely with a dedicated local dispatcher familiar with CSX and Norfolk Southern flows. Ideal for experienced container drivers comfortable in industrial environments who want predictable home time without long-haul weeks.
📋 Move Execution Details
- Verify container condition and seals at pickup
- Live delivery or drop at customer warehouses
- Accurate paperwork and gate procedures at every terminal
- Return empties or reposition chassis as directed
❓ Questions Drivers Usually Have
Is this truly home daily?
Yes. All drivers return to the yard at the end of each shift and are home every night.
How much experience with containers is needed?
At least one year of chassis/intermodal drayage is preferred. Newer drivers without this background are generally not a fit.
What about TWIC?
You must be able to pass the background check to obtain a TWIC card.
Are Saturdays required?
Only occasionally when rail volume is high. Most weeks are Monday–Friday.
🚀 Apply Now
Submit your information below for the CDL-A Local Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver opening in Birmingham, AL.