🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Orlando, Florida
- Route type: Local intermodal drayage
- Freight: 20ft / 40ft / 53ft containers (retail import/export, rail freight)
- Schedule: Dispatch tied to CSX rail arrivals, rotating day/night cycles
📋 Job Description
- Pick up sealed containers at CSX Orlando rail yard using chassis equipment
- Move intermodal freight between rail terminals and regional DCs across Central Florida
- Complete pre-trip & post-trip inspections under DOT 49 CFR Part 396
- Manage chassis hookup, twist-lock verification, and securement checks
- Operate under ELD compliance (Samsara / Qualcomm systems)
- Handle tight dock scheduling tied to rail arrival windows and congestion cycles
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year preferred (intermodal or container experience a plus)
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Chassis coupling, container securement, occasional yard work
Endorsements
TWIC preferred for rail/port access lanes
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Dedicated day cabs, slip-seat rotation on peak cycles
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024 tractors
- Features: Freightliner Cascadia / Kenworth T680 / Volvo VNL, collision mitigation, lane departure alerts, forward-facing dash cams
- Operations note: Equipment assigned based on terminal availability and rail yard demand cycles
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily on standard rail cycles, depending on dispatch completion
- Occasional every-other-day returns during peak port/rail congestion
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Orlando, FL → Tampa, FL via I-4 (rail-to-port drayage, heavy congestion near Tampa intermodal gates)
- Orlando, FL → Jacksonville, FL via I-95 / I-4 (retail import redistribution, tight rail appointment windows)
- Orlando, FL → Savannah, GA via I-95 (intermodal export flow, port staging freight with dwell-time sensitivity)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
Sign-on structure typically ranges from $500–$1,500 depending on terminal assignment. Payout is distributed across multiple payroll cycles and remains subject to active employment status, attendance compliance, and safe operation standards. Early termination or preventable incidents may reduce remaining eligibility.
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yes. Most units are governed between 65–68 mph depending on terminal policy and safety configuration.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Forward-facing dash cams are standard. Driver-facing systems are not widely used on this account but may appear in specific safety audit units.
How does dispatch work?
Dispatch is pre-planned based on CSX rail arrivals. Loads are assigned for container pickup and drop cycles with limited driver selection.
What is the detention pay structure?
Detention begins after 2 hours at rail or receiver locations, requires ELD validation, and is paid on the following payroll cycle after approval.
Are pets allowed?
Not applicable to most slip-seat intermodal units. Pet approval depends on terminal assignment and is generally restricted in yard-based operations.
Is home time reliable under real conditions?
Home time depends on rail cycle completion and dispatch flow. Delays can occur due to yard congestion, late inbound trains, or Florida I-4 traffic backups.
💼 Career Opportunities
Intermodal demand in Orlando stays tied to CSX rail flow and Florida port imports moving through Tampa and Jacksonville corridors. Drivers who stay consistent on chassis handling and rail appointment timing often get first access to higher-density lanes or dedicated terminal rotations. Seniority can influence dispatch priority during peak retail cycles, especially Q4 when container volume spikes. Some drivers move into trainer roles or yard coordination after building rail experience, while others transition into regional container or port drayage lanes. The work is steady but tightly scheduled, and delays at terminals or inbound rail congestion can extend shifts. Long-term stability comes from freight volume, not schedule predictability.
🔗 CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver — Orlando, Florida
Orlando intermodal freight runs on tight rail windows between CSX yards, Tampa port flow, and Jacksonville distribution corridors. Most movement is short-haul container drayage tied to import/export cycles and retail replenishment schedules. Drivers deal with yard congestion, chassis swaps, and strict appointment timing that can shift depending on rail delays or dock backlog. Traffic on I-4 and Florida Turnpike directly impacts HOS planning and turnaround speed. Despite variability, freight volume remains consistent due to Florida’s role as a regional distribution hub connecting coastal ports with inland DC networks.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Intermodal Container Driver — CSX Orlando Rail Network in Orlando, Florida.
