Regional CDL-A Position Intermodal Rail
Regional CDL-A Intermodal Rail Driver
Hiring Area: Inland Empire & Southern California • Terminal: San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino, CA Regional Intermodal Late-Model Day Cabs
Run regional intermodal container turns throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California, with occasional longer runs toward the Central Valley. Typical weekly gross $1,500–$1,700, home most nights, primarily no-touch freight.
Typical Weekly Gross
$1,500–$1,700
Stronger weeks can reach $1,750+ with volume and detention
Sign-On Bonus $1,500
Home Time 4–5 nights home weekly
Pay Structure Mileage + activity + detention
Freight Intermodal / Primarily No-Touch
Experience 6+ months CDL-A preferred
Drivers work a San Bernardino-based intermodal account moving containers between rail ramps, customer facilities, transload sites, and container yards across Southern California.
- Pick up loaded intermodal containers from San Bernardino-area rail ramps.
- Complete chassis, container, seal, and equipment inspections before departure.
- Deliver to Inland Empire and Southern California customer facilities.
- Handle rail ingate/outgate procedures, appointment windows, and equipment documentation.
- Report rail holds, chassis problems, delays, and detention events to dispatch.
- Return empties to assigned ramps, depots, or customer-designated locations.
- Perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections and keep accurate ELD records.
Pay is built from three parts: mileage, container activity pay, and qualifying detention. Weekly totals move with freight volume, rail availability, and time spent at facilities.
Typical Weekly Gross $1,500–$1,700
Stronger Weeks $1,750+ when miles, activity, and detention align
Mileage Rate $0.65 CPM
Container Activity Pay $30 per qualifying completed move
Detention $30/hour after 90 minutes of documented qualifying time
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 (subject to company terms and eligibility schedule)
Payroll Weekly
Home Time Home most nights; 4–5 nights home in a typical week
Overnight Stays Occasional, usually on longer Central Valley or multi-stop turns
Operating Area Inland Empire and Southern California; occasional longer regional runs
Terminal Base San Bernardino-area operating base
Dispatch Early morning through evening starts; second-shift and weekend work occur regularly
Weekly Pattern Most days return to the San Bernardino area; consecutive operating days followed by home time
Tractors Late-model Freightliner Cascadia and Volvo day-cab (and some short-sleeper) units
Transmission Primarily automated
Safety & Tech ELDs, forward-facing cameras, GPS, collision-mitigation systems on most newer units
Assignment Slip-seat / pool model common; assigned trucks possible based on seniority and fleet needs
Chassis & Containers 40' and 53' intermodal containers on company-approved chassis with twist-locks
Preventive maintenance and roadside repairs are coordinated through dispatch and approved San Bernardino-area vendors.
Freight is primarily intermodal containers — domestic and international — carrying consumer goods, retail merchandise, household products, industrial components, and other palletized freight. Most moves are no-touch at the customer.
- San Bernardino rail ramp to Fontana, Ontario, Bloomington, Riverside, and nearby Inland Empire facilities
- Moves into Los Angeles-area industrial districts and Long Beach
- Occasional longer turns toward Bakersfield, Palmdale, or the Central Valley
- Primary corridors: I-10, I-15, I-210, I-215, SR-60, SR-91, and the Cajon corridor
- Empty returns go to the specific ramp, depot, or customer location listed on the dispatch
- Daily sequence changes with rail releases, chassis availability, and customer appointment windows
- Receive the first assignment electronically or from the assigned dispatcher before starting.
- Ingate at the rail ramp, inspect chassis and container, confirm numbers and locks, then outgate.
- Deliver to the customer (majority drop-and-hook; some live unloads depending on the facility).
- Obtain release paperwork or electronic confirmation and report any qualifying detention.
- Return the empty or take a reload, then pick up the next available container assignment.
- Most working days include two to four meaningful moves, depending on traffic, gate times, and appointments.
- Longer Central Valley turns may end with overnight parking before the return leg.
About the Employer
Intermodal container movement in the Inland Empire relies on carriers that can keep equipment flowing between major rail facilities and the dense warehouse network surrounding them. This regional operation focuses on domestic and international intermodal freight, connecting the San Bernardino rail complex with distribution centers, transload locations, and container yards across Southern California. Day-cab equipment, short-to-medium regional turns, and direct coordination with rail terminals form the core of the account. Full employer details, including authority and benefits enrollment, are provided during the application and onboarding process.
Health Coverage Medical, dental, and vision options after the eligibility period
Retirement 401(k) with company contribution according to plan terms
Paid Time Off PTO available after meeting eligibility requirements
Orientation & Training Paid orientation, rail-ramp safety, and chassis inspection training
Operational Support Company ELD and dispatch tools, DOT compliance processing, roadside breakdown coordination
- Valid Class A CDL and current DOT medical card
- At least 6 months verifiable CDL-A tractor-trailer experience preferred; 53' experience preferred
- Acceptable MVR and safe driving history meeting company insurance standards
- Must pass pre-employment drug and alcohol testing plus Clearinghouse query; minimum age 21
- Comfortable inspecting chassis and containers and working around rail-yard equipment
- HazMat endorsement preferred and may be required for certain freight
- Rail-gate queues and occasional chassis shortages at the terminals
- Customer appointment delays and yard congestion, especially during retail peaks
- Heavy traffic and construction on I-10, I-15, I-210, I-215, and Los Angeles-area routes
- Late rail releases or last-minute changes to empty return locations
- Live unloads that run longer than expected at certain facilities
1
Recruiter Contact
Phone review of CDL, experience, and schedule preferences
2
Paperwork & Checks
CDL, medical card, employment history, MVR, and DOT screening
3
Drug Screen
Pre-employment drug/alcohol test and Clearinghouse query
4
Orientation
Paid local training covering rail procedures, chassis inspection, and account rules
Q: Is TWIC required? ▼
TWIC is not generally required for the standard San Bernardino rail account described here. Access requirements can vary by terminal and specific assignment.
Q: How much of the work is drop-and-hook? ▼
The majority of moves are drop-and-hook or preloaded. Live unloads occur and vary by customer and season.
Q: What if the chassis has a problem at the ramp? ▼
Document the issue (photos and equipment numbers) and contact dispatch before leaving. They arrange an exchange or repair. Drivers do not make unauthorized equipment substitutions.
Q: Are evening and weekend starts part of the job? ▼
Yes. Rail terminals and many distribution centers run extended hours, so second-shift and weekend work are normal on this account.
Q: Do drivers unload the freight? ▼
The position is primarily no-touch intermodal work. Drivers do not normally unload or handle customer freight, but they are responsible for equipment inspections, securement checks, gate procedures, and required documentation.
Q: How are empty containers returned? ▼
Empties must go to the exact ramp, depot, or customer-designated location shown on the dispatch. Returning equipment to the wrong place creates extra miles and delays.
The Inland Empire remains one of Southern California’s primary freight and distribution markets. Strong demand exists for tractor-trailer drivers across intermodal, regional, dedicated, and local operations. Rail ramps, large warehouse clusters, and proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach keep carriers hiring year-round. Drivers comfortable with chassis work, urban traffic, variable start times, and occasional evening or weekend coverage find steady opportunities with national fleets, intermodal specialists, and smaller regional companies.
San Bernardino sits at the center of a major Inland Empire intermodal and distribution network. Consumer goods, retail merchandise, industrial components, and import containers move daily between rail facilities and the surrounding warehouse concentration. I-10 and I-15 serve as the main freight spines, supported by I-210, I-215, SR-60, and the Cajon corridor. Fontana, Ontario, Bloomington, Rialto, Riverside, and nearby cities host dense clusters of distribution centers and transload operations. Port-related freight connects the region with Long Beach and Los Angeles, while northbound lanes reach the Antelope Valley and Central Valley. Seasonal retail peaks and ongoing distribution volume keep intermodal and regional container work active throughout the year.