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CDL-A Local Day Cab Driver – River Terminal / Dry Bulk

Hiring Area: Baton Rouge / Port Allen corridor • Terminal: Baton Rouge-area yard

Baton Rouge, LA Dry Bulk Transfer 2020–2025 Day Cabs

Local dry-bulk transfers between river terminals and industrial sites in the Baton Rouge–Port Allen corridor pay $1,500–$1,750 weekly with daily home time.

Typical Weekly Gross
$1,500–$1,750
Typical Week: ~$1,650 · Estimated Annual: ~$85,800
Base Rate $32/hr
Overtime $48/hr after 40
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Daily Work 2–5 local turns

Position Overview

Work centers on short-haul dry-bulk moves that keep river terminals and nearby industrial plants supplied.

  • Start each shift with pre-trip, ELD check and trailer inspection at the Baton Rouge-area yard.
  • Pick up bulk loads from river terminals or transfer yards and deliver to nearby industrial customers.
  • Handle short-haul turns between Baton Rouge, Port Allen, Plaquemine and surrounding industrial areas.
  • Check BOLs, load information, seals and trailer condition before leaving the terminal.
  • Expect 2–5 local turns on a normal day, depending on loading and receiving times.
  • Work around active terminals, conveyors, loaders and industrial traffic while following site PPE rules.
  • Communicate terminal delays, equipment issues and route changes with local dispatch.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Hourly pay covers driving time plus terminal and industrial waits.

Base Rate $32/hour
Overtime $48/hour after 40 hours
Weekly Range $1,500–$1,750
Typical Weekly Gross ~$1,650
Estimated Annual ~$85,800
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 — three $500 installments at 30, 90 and 180 days
Pay Frequency Weekly direct deposit
Wait Time Paid hourly while on duty; extended delays reported to dispatch

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Home Daily
Typical Start Early morning, generally 4:30–6:30 AM
Work Week Monday–Friday
Typical Hours 45–50 hours/week
Saturday Occasional during high-volume vessel or terminal periods
Operating Corridor Baton Rouge – Port Allen – Plaquemine, occasional Geismar

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Primary Tractors Freightliner Cascadia day cabs 2021–2025
Secondary Tractors Kenworth T880 day cabs 2020–2024
Transmission Automatic on most units
Safety Systems Forward-facing cameras, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on newer units
Trailer Types Dry-bulk pneumatic and end-dump equipment, depending on assigned account
Assignment Generally assigned; temporary swap possible during maintenance

Air-ride suspension, ELD and electronic DVIR are standard. Maintenance is handled through the company shop and approved vendors.

Real Routes

Most local runs stay inside the Baton Rouge–Port Allen industrial corridor, with occasional extensions toward Plaquemine and Geismar depending on customer and terminal schedules.

  • Primary commodities include cement, aggregates, sand, petroleum/calcined coke and other industrial bulk materials.
  • Common turns link Port Allen river terminals with Baton Rouge-area industrial customers.
  • Additional moves reach Plaquemine and Geismar when vessel or plant demand requires it.
  • Main roads used are I-10, LA-1, LA-415 and U.S. 190.
  • Drivers typically complete 2–5 short turns per day rather than one long haul.
  • Empty returns or local reloads occur when no immediate backhaul is available.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Arrive at the yard, complete pre-trip and confirm the first assignment on the ELD.
  • Pull the assigned trailer and head to the river terminal or transfer yard for loading.
  • Position under the hopper or conveyor, complete live loading, verify paperwork and depart.
  • Deliver to the industrial customer, obtain release and receive the next local turn.
  • Repeat two to five cycles depending on terminal queues and receiving windows.
  • Return the tractor to the approved yard at the end of the shift under normal conditions.
  • Monday–Friday forms the core week; Saturday appears only during elevated vessel activity.

About the Carrier

The carrier operates a mid-sized local and regional fleet that supports industrial bulk and terminal freight around the Baton Rouge market. This account is built around short-haul dry-bulk transfers rather than overnight runs. Drivers work from a Baton Rouge-area yard, return after each shift and coordinate directly with local dispatch as terminal schedules change. Equipment is matched to the commodity—primarily pneumatic and end-dump trailers—so the same day-cab power units stay productive inside the river-corridor network.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision with employee and dependent options
Retirement 401(k) with company match after eligibility
Paid Time Off Vacation accrual by length of service; paid holidays per company policy
Life Insurance Company-paid basic life
Additional Support Paid orientation, DOT physical renewal, high-visibility apparel, site PPE, TWIC assistance when required, safety refresher, equipment orientation, referral program, company fuel card

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical certificate
  • 6 months CDL-A experience preferred; day-cab, bulk or terminal experience is a plus
  • Acceptable MVR with no pattern of serious violations or recent major offenses
  • Minimum age 21 when interstate-related operations apply
  • TWIC required for independent access to restricted maritime facilities
  • Comfortable backing in industrial yards, coupling trailers and following site PPE rules

Operational Delays

  • Barge unloading sequences can run behind schedule.
  • Terminal or customer yard capacity may hold trucks temporarily.
  • I-10 and Mississippi River bridge congestion slows crossings.
  • Heavy rain or construction can change appointment timing.
  • Empty trailer shortages occasionally force a reassignment while waiting.

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Call
Usually within one business day
2
Document Review
CDL, medical card, employment history
3
Safety Screening
MVR, Clearinghouse, drug test
4
Offer & Orientation
Typically 3–7 business days; local terminal start

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long do terminal waits usually last? ▼
Straightforward transfers often finish in 30–60 minutes. River-terminal loading can take 1–2 hours when the barge or conveyor sequence is not ready.
Q: Is a TWIC required for every load? ▼
Only for restricted maritime facilities that require independent access. Assistance with credentialing is available when the assigned account needs it.
Q: What happens if a late delivery keeps me from returning to the yard? ▼
Dispatch arranges an approved safe parking location. Overnight stays are not part of the normal schedule.
Q: How are empty-trailer shortages handled? ▼
You may be reassigned to another available customer or terminal while waiting for the original unit to release.
Q: Is a hazmat endorsement required for this position? ▼
No. This position is advertised for non-hazardous dry-bulk and terminal transfer freight. A hazmat endorsement is not required for the listed account.
Q: Can start times change during the week? ▼
Yes. River-terminal and customer receiving windows sometimes require earlier or later reporting than a standard warehouse schedule.

CDL Job Market – Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge has an active market for Class A drivers across local P&D, industrial, bulk, regional and specialized operations. Current local listings show home-daily work around the low-to-mid $30s per hour, while other local delivery positions can pay considerably less depending on equipment, schedule and experience. The river and industrial corridor adds another layer of demand around Port Allen, Baton Rouge and nearby manufacturing areas. Drivers with bulk-transfer, terminal or industrial-site experience typically hold more options than those limited to standard dry-van routes. Hiring remains consistent through the year because multiple freight segments compete for the same pool of qualified operators.

Location & Freight Market – Baton Rouge

The Mississippi River shapes freight movement through Baton Rouge more than any single highway. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge sits at the head of deepwater navigation and connects ocean vessels, barges, trucks and rail across roughly 85 miles of riverfront. Dry-bulk facilities handle petroleum and calcined coke, aggregates, cement, sand and related industrial materials. Port Allen’s industrial zone feeds I-10, LA-1, LA-415 and U.S. 190, allowing quick truck-to-barge and barge-to-truck transfers. Petrochemical plants, construction-materials suppliers and warehouse clusters generate steady short-haul demand. Seasonal construction peaks, agricultural cycles and plant maintenance turnarounds increase volume at certain times of the year. The I-10/I-110 interchange remains a known truck bottleneck, yet the river corridor itself keeps bulk cargo circulating every day.

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