Intermodal Position Local CDL-A Position

CDL-A Local Intermodal Shuttle Driver – Tampa, FL Container Freight Network

Hiring Area: Tampa Bay and nearby communities • Terminal: Tampa-area terminal

Tampa, FL Local Intermodal 2021–2025 Day Cabs

Pull import and export containers between Port Tampa Bay, container yards, rail facilities and Central Florida warehouses on home-daily turns. Weekly pay runs $1,450–$1,850 with typical gross near $1,700 and estimated annual earnings of $88,400.

Weekly Pay
$1,450–$1,850
Typical Weekly Gross: $1,700
Estimated Annual: $88,400
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Typical Hours 45–50
Freight Type Sealed Ocean Containers

Position Overview

This is pure local intermodal work. Drivers handle sealed ocean containers moving through Port Tampa Bay and the surrounding Central Florida logistics network instead of ordinary dry-van city routes.

  • Perform full pre-trip and post-trip inspections on tractor and chassis.
  • Match container numbers, chassis numbers, seals and paperwork before departure.
  • Follow port, rail and customer gate procedures and appointment windows.
  • Check tires, brakes, lights, air lines, fifth-wheel, kingpin and locking pins.
  • Report container status, gate delays and unloading delays to dispatch immediately.
  • Keep accurate ELD records and stay inside HOS limits during congested terminal days.
  • Finish BOL/POD paperwork and document any damage before leaving the facility.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation is built on an hourly base with overtime after 40 hours. Typical weekly gross of about $1,700 comes from a normal 47–50 hour week plus qualifying container activity pay that is already included in that figure.

Weekly Pay Range $1,450–$1,850
Typical Weekly Gross $1,700
Estimated Annual $88,400
Base Rate $31.50 per hour
Overtime $47.25 per hour after 40
Container Activity Pay $30 for each qualifying loaded or empty container move
Detention $35 per hour after 2 hours of documented eligible delay
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 paid at 30 / 90 / 180 days
Pay Frequency Weekly

Schedule, Home Time & Operating Area

Home Time Home Daily
Operating Area Tampa Bay and Central Florida, mostly 20–90 mile turns
Terminal Tampa-area company terminal
Typical Weekly Miles 800–1,200
Typical Hours 45–50
Dispatch Window Usually 5:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Model Years 2021–2025
Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 day cabs
Transmission Mostly automatic
Safety Systems ELD, forward-facing cameras, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise
Chassis 20-ft and 40-ft container chassis, including adjustable combination chassis when available
Tractor Assignment Assigned when practical; limited slip-seating for maintenance coverage

The fleet is built for local intermodal work rather than a uniform new-truck program. A small number of older, well-maintained units stay in service. Preventive maintenance is handled through the Tampa terminal or approved outside vendors.

Real Routes & Freight

Freight consists of sealed ocean containers carrying palletized retail merchandise, consumer goods, food-related products, packaged materials and manufacturing inputs. Moves run between Port Tampa Bay, rail facilities, transload warehouses and regional distribution centers.

  • Core local turns: Tampa to Plant City, Lakeland, Brandon, East Tampa and port-area yards
  • Longer Central Florida turns: Tampa to Winter Haven, Davenport, Auburndale, Kissimmee and Orlando-area facilities
  • Primary highways: I-4, I-75, I-275, Selmon Expressway, US-301, US-92 and SR-60
  • Daily pattern mixes short port/yard moves with mid-range I-4 corridor deliveries
  • Empty returns and chassis repositions are common between loaded moves

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • First load is usually assigned before the shift starts; some moves are planned the afternoon before.
  • Inspect tractor and chassis, then head to the port, rail terminal or customer pickup.
  • Most days include two to four container movements — short Tampa turns mixed with longer I-4 runs.
  • Return empties, swap chassis or reposition equipment before receiving the next loaded container.
  • About 50–60 % of moves are drop-and-hook or pre-positioned equipment; the rest require live interaction.
  • Some shifts involve waiting for a released container, available chassis or a customer appointment before the next move is dispatched.
  • Day ends by returning the tractor to the Tampa-area terminal or an approved drop yard.

About the Carrier

The operation is built around short-haul container moves that connect Port Tampa Bay with nearby yards, rail facilities and customer warehouses across the Tampa Bay and Central Florida area. Dispatch manages daily assignments based on vessel schedules, chassis availability and customer appointment windows. Drivers work local turns that keep containers moving between the marine terminal and inland distribution points, then return home every day. The focus stays on practical equipment, clear terminal procedures and real-time communication when container or chassis status changes during the shift.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Paid Time Off Available after eligibility requirements are met
Orientation Paid orientation and intermodal equipment training
Additional Support TWIC assistance when required, roadside assistance, preventive maintenance scheduling, safety apparel, employee referral program, driver recognition

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • Approximately 6 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience preferred
  • Prior port, rail, drayage or container experience is a strong advantage but not required
  • Acceptable MVR and driving history
  • Current DOT medical card
  • Must pass DOT drug screen and company qualification process
  • TWIC preferred for regular unescorted access to restricted port areas
  • Ability to operate day-cab tractors and safely inspect chassis components
  • Recent CDL graduates may be considered only if the carrier’s entry-level training and insurance requirements are met

Operational Delays

  • Terminal gate congestion and shifting container release status during vessel activity
  • Chassis shortages or out-of-service units that require a move to another yard
  • Customer appointment windows and multi-container receiving queues at warehouses
  • Morning and afternoon traffic on I-4, I-75, I-275 and the Selmon Expressway
  • Summer thunderstorms and interstate construction that slow arrival times
  • Higher container volume during holiday and retail shipping periods

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Call
Initial contact within one business day
2
Background Checks
CDL, MVR, employment history, drug screen, Clearinghouse
3
Orientation
Paid orientation at the Tampa-area terminal
4
First Dispatch
Equipment familiarization then regular assignment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many container moves happen in a normal day? ▼
Most shifts include two to four container movements. Some are short local turns; others run out toward Lakeland or the Orlando area.
Q: Is TWIC required on the first day? ▼
TWIC is preferred for regular unescorted access to restricted port areas. Company policy decides whether a specific account requires it before a driver is dispatched into those zones.
Q: What happens when the assigned chassis is unavailable? ▼
Dispatch may send the driver to another yard or terminal. Once the status is reported, the next workable move is coordinated.
Q: Can recent CDL graduates apply? ▼
Recent graduates may be considered only if the carrier’s entry-level training and insurance requirements are fully met.
Q: How is detention paid? ▼
Detention is paid at $35 per hour after two hours of documented eligible customer or terminal delay. Accurate arrival and departure times are required.
Q: Where is the tractor parked overnight? ▼
Tractors normally return to the Tampa-area company terminal at the end of the shift. Overnight truck-stop parking is not part of the regular operation.

CDL Job Market

Tampa remains an active CDL-A hiring market supported by Port Tampa Bay, the I-4/I-75 corridor, regional distribution centers, rail activity, construction supply chains and food distribution. Local drivers compete with port drayage carriers, LTL terminals, dedicated fleets, national intermodal operators and private fleets. Current intermodal company-driver postings in the area commonly show weekly ranges near $1,250–$1,530, while established local LTL and dedicated employers list hourly rates in the high $20s to mid $30s. Listings continue to appear across intermodal, LTL, dedicated and general local Class A segments, reflecting ongoing need for experienced drivers in the Tampa Bay region.

Location & Freight Market

Port Tampa Bay sits on the I-4 Corridor and serves a large Central Florida distribution market. The port maintains direct container services connecting the region with international markets that include Asia, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Ongoing expansion has added yard capacity, new cranes, a third deep-water berth and an on-dock rail-served transload facility. Container activity concentrates around Hooker’s Point while the wider logistics network stretches toward East Tampa, Brandon, Lakeland, Plant City and the rest of the I-4 corridor. Retail, e-commerce, food and beverage, and manufacturing continue to generate steady demand for container moves. Deep-water access, interstate connectivity and dense warehouse capacity together support continuous short-haul and mid-range intermodal freight throughout the year.

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