🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Fort Wayne, IN
- Route type: Local intermodal / rail drayage
- Freight: Sealed intermodal containers (retail, automotive, industrial)
- Schedule: Rail-driven dispatch tied to Chicago ramp arrival windows
📋 Job Description
- Pre-trip & post-trip inspections under DOT Part 396 requirements
- ELD compliance using dispatch systems (Qualcomm / Samsara-type platforms)
- Container pickup from rail yards with chassis coupling and yard navigation
- Drop & hook container movement between rail ramps and regional DCs
- Tight dock backing at intermodal and warehouse facilities
- HOS planning impacted by Chicago rail congestion and yard delays
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year preferred, intermodal experience a plus
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean record, no major violations
Physical
Chassis handling, yard movement, coupling/uncoupling
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Slip-seat local fleet, dispatch-based unit allocation
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024 mixed terminal rotation
- Features: Freightliner Cascadia / Kenworth T680 units, chassis trailers, ELD systems, collision mitigation, lane assist, forward-facing cameras
- Operational note: unit condition varies by rail yard rotation and maintenance cycle
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily, depending on rail dispatch completion and yard congestion
- Return timing may shift during Chicago inbound rail surges or trailer dwell delays
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Fort Wayne, IN → Chicago, IL via I-69 / I-94 (rail ramp container pull, congestion-heavy Chicago intermodal cycle)
- Chicago, IL → Joliet, IL via I-55 / I-80 (rail-to-DC container redistribution, tight appointment windows)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Toledo, OH via I-69 / I-80 (regional rail-adjacent freight flow, short-haul container repositioning)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yes. Units are typically governed at 65–68 mph depending on terminal policy and fuel program controls. Intermodal operations prioritize yard safety and fuel efficiency over road speed.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Forward-facing cameras are standard. Some terminals may include driver-facing event capture systems depending on safety scoring and account requirements.
Is dispatch forced or assigned?
Dispatch is pre-planned around rail arrival schedules. Loads are assigned based on container availability, yard position, and Chicago ramp flow. Seniority can affect preferred dispatch timing.
What is the detention pay structure?
Detention may begin after 2 hours at rail or customer facilities, requiring dispatch approval and verified ELD logs. Payment is processed in the next payroll cycle and is not automatic at all locations.
Are pets allowed?
Local intermodal slip-seat operations typically do not allow pets due to shared equipment rotation and yard safety restrictions.
Is home time reliable under real traffic conditions?
Home time depends on rail release timing, Chicago congestion, and late inbound container processing. During peak freight cycles, return windows may shift by several hours.
💼 Career Opportunities
Intermodal freight demand in Fort Wayne continues to track Chicago rail volume and Midwest distribution cycles. Drivers operating container drayage work steady rail ramps tied to retail, automotive, and industrial imports moving through Indiana and Illinois corridors. Within
🔗 J.B. Hunt Intermodal Driver – Rail Container Network – Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne sits on a high-frequency intermodal corridor feeding Chicago rail ramps and Midwest DC networks. Container flow moves through I-69 and I-80/94 corridors, where rail congestion and yard dwell time directly affect dispatch timing. Intermodal drivers handle sealed freight with no-touch operations, but face tight rail appointment windows and staged release schedules. Chicago inbound surges often create bottlenecks at ramps, impacting HOS planning and return cycles. Despite variability, freight volume remains steady year-round due to retail, automotive, and import distribution cycles across Indiana and Illinois logistics hubs.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for J.B. Hunt Intermodal Driver – Rail Container Network in Fort Wayne, IN.
