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Verified Hiring Full-Time

Regional CDL-A Intermodal Rail Driver – Southeast Corridor

Hiring Area: Mobile, AL • Terminal: Mobile, AL

Mobile, AL Regional Intermodal 2022–2025

Move port-to-rail and rail-to-customer containers on 2–4 day Southeast loops out of Mobile, earning $1,300–$1,700 weekly ($67,000–$88,000 annually) with home resets after each cycle.

Average Weekly Gross
$1,300–$1,700
Estimated Annual: $67,000–$88,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,000
Home Time After 2–4 Day Loops
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 2,200–2,400
Freight Type Intermodal Containers

Position Overview

This role centers on coordinated container transfers between the Port of Mobile, inland rail ramps, staging yards, and regional customers across the Southeast Corridor.

  • Completes chassis inspections before every container move.
  • Handles drop-and-hook exchanges at rail and terminal locations.
  • Verifies container numbers, locking systems, and interchange data.
  • Communicates delays promptly for appointment adjustments.
  • Repositions empty containers and chassis as required.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Mileage forms the core of weekly earnings, with detention adding variable income during terminal or customer waits.

Weekly Gross $1,300–$1,700
Estimated Annual $67,000–$88,000
Sign-On Bonus Up to $2,000 ($500/30 days, $500/90 days, $1,000/180 days)
Detention Pay $25/hour after free time
Mileage Rate $0.58–$0.68 CPM
Pay Frequency Consistent weekly payroll

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time After completed 2–4 day regional loops
Operating Corridor Southeast Corridor (AL, MS, FL Gulf Coast)
Terminal Base Mobile, AL
Weekly Miles 2,200–2,400 paid miles
Dispatch Window Typically 4:00 AM–8:00 AM

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractor Model Years 2022–2025
Tractor Makes Freightliner Cascadia with Detroit DD15 engines
Transmission DT12 automated manual
In-Cab Amenities Sleeper configurations, factory APUs, modern ELD, chassis monitoring
Tractor Assignment Assigned when available; comparable company units as needed

Dedicated intermodal fleet uses 20-ft and 40-ft container chassis with adjustable slider options and container locking systems. Drivers perform full chassis inspections covering tires, lights, brakes, locking mechanisms, and securement points.

Real Routes

Container moves link Port of Mobile marine terminals with inland rail facilities and Gulf Coast customers, driven by import cycles and manufacturing demand.

  • Mobile port terminals to Birmingham rail yards primarily via I-65 North.
  • Mobile to Jackson, MS intermodal staging using I-10, I-59, and connectors.
  • Mobile to Gulfport, MS for Gulf Coast logistics yards and repositioning.
  • Mobile to Pensacola, FL supporting western Florida warehouse operations.
  • Birmingham rail returns to Mobile with empty chassis or containers.
  • Additional Southeast staging points during higher-volume import periods.

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

Drivers complete approximately 8–14 container moves weekly. A normal cycle starts with a Mobile port terminal pickup, followed by chassis and container inspection, then loaded movement to a rail facility or customer.

After delivery comes empty container or chassis return, then the next scheduled assignment or heading back toward Mobile. Most exchanges are drop-and-hook or live gate processing rather than multi-stop runs.

Overnight parking occurs at company-approved locations, customer yards when allowed, rail staging areas, or established truck stops along the assigned corridor. Parking must account for hours-of-service limits, especially after terminal delays.

About the Carrier

Port-to-rail container logistics along the Gulf Coast depends on coordinated short-to-medium hauls that keep marine terminals, rail ramps, and inland customers linked. This operation specializes in intermodal container movements connecting the Port of Mobile with Southeast rail and distribution points. The focus remains on timed transfers driven by vessel schedules, rail cutoffs, and chassis availability rather than long-haul highway runs. Reliable equipment cycles and terminal coordination form the backbone of daily activity in this specialized freight segment.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental, and vision options
Retirement 401(k) with company match
Time Off Paid holidays and paid time off program
Life Insurance Basic life insurance options
Training Support Paid orientation, rail/port training, TWIC guidance, chassis inspection training

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL, minimum age 21, DOT physical, legal CMV authorization
  • Preferred 1+ year CDL-A experience; intermodal, drayage, or container background preferred
  • Clean MVR, no major preventable violations, acceptable background
  • Active TWIC required for Port of Mobile access; DOT drug screen and Clearinghouse clearance

Operational Delays

  • Gate congestion and extended waits during high-volume import periods
  • Chassis availability issues and equipment searches at terminals
  • Rail ramp congestion and cutoff timing conflicts
  • I-65 construction zones and Birmingham metro traffic
  • Gulf Coast weather including heavy rain, thunderstorms, and tropical disruptions

Fast-Trak Hiring Process

1
Application Review
Recruiter contact within one business day
2
Qualification & Safety
MVR, employment verification, drug screen, Clearinghouse, TWIC check
3
Orientation
Paid 1–2 day training on procedures and equipment
4
First Dispatch
Equipment assignment and start within 5–10 business days

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do drivers unload freight in this position? ▼
No. Responsibilities center on container transportation, equipment inspections, terminal procedures, and safe movement between locations.
Q: What container sizes are typically moved? ▼
Standard intermodal 20-foot and 40-foot containers on dedicated chassis equipment.
Q: How does port congestion affect daily work? ▼
It can increase waiting times during high-volume periods. Dispatch monitors delays, adjusts assignments when possible, and documents qualifying detention.
Q: Are performance or referral bonuses available? ▼
Yes. Performance bonuses recognize safe practices, appointment compliance, accurate documentation, and reliable communication. Referral bonuses are paid for qualified drivers who meet company requirements.
Q: What physical tasks are required beyond driving? ▼
Pre-trip and chassis inspections, connecting air and electrical lines, inspecting locking systems, and occasional climbing of equipment outdoors in varying weather.
Q: Can drivers without an active TWIC start? ▼
Application and onboarding can begin, but port container operations cannot start until the TWIC credential is active.

CDL Job Market

Mobile’s CDL-A market is shaped by Gulf Coast logistics, port activity, manufacturing, chemical and energy freight, construction materials, and retail distribution. Intermodal and port-drayage roles form a specialized segment because TWIC credentials, terminal procedures, and chassis experience narrow the available driver pool. National carriers, regional trucking firms, dedicated manufacturing fleets, and warehouse operations all compete for qualified drivers. Demand stays steady year-round due to continuous vessel traffic and inland manufacturing needs, though volume fluctuates with import seasons. Drivers comfortable with port and rail environments generally find more consistent opportunities than those limited to standard dry-van work. Specialized skills such as container handling and rail-ramp coordination command stronger interest from employers in this smaller but active Southeast market.

Location & Freight Market

The Port of Mobile anchors Gulf Coast container traffic by linking maritime imports with Alabama manufacturing and inland Southeast distribution. I-65 provides the primary northbound corridor toward Birmingham and central Alabama industrial centers, while I-10 and I-59 support east-west and Mississippi movements. Imported consumer goods, industrial components, manufacturing materials, and retail distribution freight regularly flow through the port and its connecting rail facilities. Manufacturing expansion across Alabama increases demand for reliable container transfers between marine terminals and production sites. Unlike larger East or West Coast port markets, Mobile functions as a mid-sized intermodal hub where regional loops and equipment repositioning form a large share of daily activity. Vessel arrival patterns, chassis supply, and rail capacity create natural volume swings, yet the combination of port growth and nearby industrial development sustains continuous freight movement through the region.

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