Intermodal Position Regional CDL-A

CDL-A Regional Intermodal Drayage Driver — Nashville Rail & Inland Freight Corridor Network

Hiring Area: Nashville, TN • Terminal: Nashville Rail Network

Nashville, TN Regional Intermodal 3–6 Year Day Cabs

Move 20- and 40-foot containers between Nashville-area rail terminals and regional distribution sites on weekly home-reset cycles. Earn $1,550–$2,000 per week ($80,600–$104,000 annually) with structured rail-to-warehouse operations across Middle Tennessee corridors.

Weekly Gross
$1,550–$2,000
Estimated Annual: $80,600–$104,000
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 after 60 days
Home Time Weekly Reset
Driver Type Regional Intermodal
Operating Days 4–6 days
Freight Type 20'/40' Containers

Position Overview

Rail appointment windows and container release timing shape every assignment in this Middle Tennessee intermodal operation.

  • Coordinates with terminal personnel and yard operators for container flow.
  • Verifies seals, container numbers, and chassis locking mechanisms before departure.
  • Completes interchange forms and delivery documentation at customer sites.
  • Performs daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections on tractor and chassis.
  • Navigates high-traffic rail yards while following controlled movement zones.
  • Reports damaged equipment immediately through maintenance channels.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation follows an hourly model built around driving time, terminal activity, and approved detention rather than pure mileage.

Weekly Gross $1,550–$2,000
Hourly Range $28–$36/hr
Typical Calculation 40 hrs × $30 + 10 OT × $45 ≈ $1,700–$1,750
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 after 60 days active
Detention $25/hour after approved threshold
Referral Bonus $500 after 90 days

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Weekly Reset
Operating Days 4–6 days per week
Weekly Hours 45–55 hours
Corridor Middle Tennessee + neighboring markets
Dispatch Window Morning rail release cycle

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Age 3–6 years average
Tractors Freightliner Cascadia & Volvo VNL day cabs
Transmission Automatic
Safety Systems Collision mitigation, lane departure, adaptive cruise (newer units)
Chassis 20-ft & 40-ft container + slider configurations
Technology ELD, GPS dispatch, Yard Management System

Air-ride suspension is standard. Assigned equipment is provided when operationally available. Preventive maintenance and roadside assistance are coordinated through company channels.

Real Routes

Containerized dry freight—imported retail merchandise, packaged consumer products, industrial components, automotive-related materials, and manufacturing supplies—moves between rail facilities and inland customers. Roughly 60–70 % of activity is drop-and-hook.

  • Nashville to Memphis via I-40 West, approximately 200 miles for rail repositioning.
  • Nashville to Louisville via I-65 North, approximately 175 miles supporting industrial transfers.
  • Nashville to Atlanta corridor via I-24 East / I-75, 215–250 miles depending on destination.
  • Return legs Memphis–Nashville and Louisville–Nashville for empty or loaded balancing.
  • Chattanooga to Nashville via I-24 West for Southeast manufacturing connections.
  • Assignments shift daily based on rail releases, chassis availability, and customer windows.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Morning dispatch issues first container number, pickup location, and appointment details.
  • Gate check-in at rail terminal confirms availability and provides yard instructions.
  • Equipment inspection covers tires, brakes, lights, locks, and container condition.
  • Loaded delivery or empty return follows, then next available regional assignment.
  • Multiple shorter cycles replace single long highway runs on most days.
  • Overnight parking occurs at company terminals, approved drop yards, or secure stops.

About the Carrier

Inland container logistics linking Southeast rail corridors with Middle Tennessee warehouses depends on short-to-medium regional drayage that keeps chassis and boxes circulating between ramps and distribution points. The carrier focuses on scheduled rail-to-customer transfers supporting manufacturing, retail fulfillment, automotive suppliers, and construction-related inventory. Operations center on appointment windows and equipment balancing rather than fixed long-haul lanes, giving drivers repeated terminal and yard activity while maintaining weekly return cycles within the Nashville freight network.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Healthcare Medical, dental, vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Paid Time Off Vacation and paid holidays
Orientation Paid, includes ELD and intermodal training
Additional Support Terminal parking, safety recognition, maintenance access

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL, minimum age 21
  • 1 year CDL-A experience preferred; intermodal or rail-yard background a plus
  • Clean MVR, no recent major violations or active suspension
  • Acceptable DOT safety history and physical ability for chassis work and yard maneuvering

Operational Delays

  • Rail terminal gate congestion during peak inbound processing
  • Container release or chassis shortage delays
  • Customer appointment backups lasting 30 minutes to 3 hours
  • Morning congestion near Memphis and Louisville logistics zones
  • Weather or construction impacts on I-40, I-24, and I-65

Hiring Process

1
Application
Submit CDL and driving history
2
Screening
Recruiter phone review
3
Verification
MVR, Clearinghouse, background
4
Orientation
Paid training then first dispatch

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often do chassis shortages affect daily plans? ▼
Chassis availability changes with rail volume. Dispatch adjusts assignments in real time and documents approved delays for detention pay.
Q: Are most moves drop-and-hook or live unload? ▼
Approximately 60–70 % are drop-and-hook. The remaining portion requires check-in with receiving personnel and seal verification.
Q: Where can loaded containers be parked overnight? ▼
Only at company terminals, designated drop yards, or customer locations authorized by dispatch. Secure truck stops are used for personal rest.
Q: Is TWIC required for terminal access? ▼
Not required. Prior TWIC or rail-terminal experience is preferred but not mandatory.
Q: How quickly can a qualified driver start? ▼
Most complete the process in 5–10 business days after background and employment checks clear.
Q: Do weekend assignments occur? ▼
Weekend volume depends on customer demand, especially during retail peaks and inventory cycles.

CDL Job Market

Nashville’s CDL-A market stays balanced and competitive. Warehouse expansion, manufacturing growth, retail distribution, and automotive suppliers generate steady demand for professional drivers. Regional, dedicated, intermodal, LTL, and private-fleet positions appear regularly. Intermodal and container-experienced drivers remain less common than standard dry-van operators because the work requires rail procedures, chassis handling, and appointment-based flow. Freight density supports consistent hiring without the extreme congestion of larger hubs such as Chicago or Southern California. Local carriers, national fleets, and private operations all recruit in Middle Tennessee, giving drivers multiple options across local, regional, and specialized segments throughout the year.

Location & Freight Market

Middle Tennessee functions as a key inland distribution node for the Southeast. Manufacturing plants, automotive suppliers, healthcare distribution, retail fulfillment centers, and construction-material suppliers generate continuous container and dry-freight volume. The intersection of I-40, I-24, and I-65 links Nashville with Memphis, Louisville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta-connected corridors, allowing rail containers to transfer efficiently into regional warehouses and industrial parks. Unlike coastal ports, the area serves as a secondary inland connection point rather than a primary import gateway. Rail activity, warehouse capacity growth, and steady industrial output keep freight moving year-round, with seasonal increases tied to retail inventory cycles and manufacturing demand. This combination of highway access and expanding distribution infrastructure sustains regular need for intermodal and regional container capacity.

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