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Intermodal Position Local / Regional

CDL-A Intermodal Rail Drayage Driver – CSX / Norfolk Southern Corridor

Hiring Area: Fort Wayne, IN • Terminal: Fort Wayne-area rail facilities

Fort Wayne, IN Local / Regional 2020–2025 Day Cabs

Move 20', 40' and 53' containers between rail ramps and customer facilities across northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio and southern Michigan. Earn $1,300–$1,800 per week with primarily home-daily returns and occasional one-night turns. Typical weekly gross of $1,600 supports a typical annual gross of $83,200.

Weekly Gross
$1,300–$1,800
Typical Annual Gross: $83,200
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 after 90 days
Home Time Primarily Home Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 1,200–1,800 (move-dependent)
Freight Type Intermodal Containers

Position Overview

Container pickup and delivery between rail facilities, warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing plants forms the core of this Fort Wayne-area intermodal operation supporting rail-connected freight.

  • Completes multiple short-to-medium container moves each shift.
  • Handles gate transactions, chassis inspections and seal verification.
  • Works both drop-and-hook and live-load customer appointments.
  • Communicates delays and equipment issues promptly to dispatch.
  • Documents arrival, door and release times for detention pay.
  • Follows empty-return instructions to correct rail or pool locations.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Compensation follows a per-move model rather than conventional CPM. Typical weekly earnings are driven by completed container moves plus documented detention and accessorials, which explains how 1,200–1,800 weekly miles can support a realistic $1,600 typical weekly gross.

Weekly Range $1,300–$1,800
Typical Weekly Gross $1,600
Typical Annual Gross $83,200
Sign-On Bonus $1,000 after 90 days
Detention $50/hour after threshold
Accessorials Chassis work, repositioning, rework

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Primarily home daily • occasional 1 night out
Operating Area NE Indiana, NW Ohio, southern Michigan
Typical Start 4:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Duty Day 10–13 hours
Weekly Miles 1,200–1,800, depending on move count and rail/customer assignments

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Tractors Freightliner Cascadia 2021–2025 & Volvo VNL 2020–2024 day cabs
Transmission 10-speed or automated manual
Safety Systems Forward-facing cameras, collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise on selected units
Chassis Company- or pool-supplied; slider, pin-lock, standard tandem
Containers 20', 40', 45' and 53' domestic

Equipment is configured for repeated rail-yard work including tight backing and frequent gate transactions. Drivers report defects through the ELD or maintenance system before dispatch.

Real Routes

Domestic intermodal and general commodity freight supports manufacturing, retail distribution, automotive supply chains and industrial warehousing. Dispatch assigns moves based on rail releases and customer demand rather than fixed daily routes.

  • Fort Wayne to Toledo, OH or Detroit/Romulus, MI out-and-back
  • Fort Wayne to Indianapolis or South Bend, IN container turns
  • Fort Wayne to Chicago/Joliet, IL regional moves
  • Fort Wayne to Lima, Findlay or Columbus, OH deliveries
  • Primary corridors: I-69, I-469, US-30, US-24, I-80/90, I-75, I-70, I-65
  • Mix of short Fort Wayne-area moves and longer regional turns

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Early dispatch check between 4:00–8:00 AM for first container assignment.
  • Arrive at rail ramp, complete gate transaction and chassis inspection.
  • Pull container, verify number and seal, exit terminal for customer delivery.
  • Complete drop-and-hook or live unload, document times, receive next assignment.
  • Second terminal transaction or regional customer move midday.
  • Empty return, final container movement or terminal closeout by late afternoon.
  • Week may mix local Fort Wayne moves with Toledo, Detroit or Indianapolis turns.

About the Carrier

A Fort Wayne-area regional carrier focuses on the final-mile link between Class I rail ramps and Midwest manufacturing and distribution customers. The operation uses day-cab equipment to support freight moving through Norfolk Southern and CSX-connected rail networks in the Fort Wayne area. Work concentrates on repeated short-to-medium container interchanges rather than long-haul highway runs, matching rail release schedules with customer appointment windows across northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio and southern Michigan. Drivers operate within an established industrial freight base that includes consumer products, automotive components and general manufacturing inputs. The carrier’s role is to keep containers moving efficiently between the rail terminal and the dock.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental and vision after eligibility period
Retirement 401(k) with company match after 90 days
Paid Time Off Paid vacation and company holidays
Orientation & Training Paid orientation and rail-terminal familiarization
Additional Support Uniforms, terminal parking, roadside assistance, safety incentives

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL
  • Approximately 1 year CDL-A experience preferred
  • Previous intermodal, container or chassis experience strongly preferred
  • Acceptable MVR meeting company insurance standards
  • Must pass background, employment verification and DOT drug screen
  • Strong backing skills and comfort with confined rail-yard maneuvering

Operational Delays

  • Rail terminal gate congestion during heavy release periods
  • Containers present on yard but not yet released for pickup
  • Temporary chassis pool shortages or equipment mismatches
  • Customer dock congestion or delayed receiving appointments
  • Winter weather slowing terminal and highway operations
  • Summer construction affecting travel times on key corridors

Hiring Process

1
Recruiter Contact
Initial call within one business day
2
Compliance Screening
MVR, background, Clearinghouse, DOT drug screen
3
Orientation
Paid Fort Wayne terminal training
4
Equipment Assignment
Tractor assigned after clearance

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much of the work is drop-and-hook versus live unload? ▼
Roughly 55–65% involves rail/container interchange and drop-related moves. About 20–30% is live-load or live-unload at customer facilities. The balance covers empty repositioning, chassis changes and yard moves.
Q: How many container moves does a driver typically complete per day? ▼
Drivers typically complete multiple moves per shift. The exact number depends on rail release times, appointment windows, traffic and terminal congestion.
Q: Is a HazMat endorsement or TWIC required? ▼
Neither is normally required for the standard freight on this account. Drivers must still follow the identification and security procedures of each individual rail facility.
Q: What happens if a container is not released when expected? ▼
Dispatch monitors rail release status throughout the day. Drivers cannot simply substitute another unit; the carrier confirms availability before reassigning the move.
Q: Where do drivers park overnight when a regional turn is assigned? ▼
Preferred options include approved company parking, customer-approved yards or designated drop yards. Commercial truck stops are used when necessary. Drivers confirm arrangements with dispatch before hours become critical.
Q: How does the carrier handle chassis defects found at the ramp? ▼
Drivers inspect locking pins, lights, tires, air lines and landing gear before leaving. Safety-related defects are reported immediately so the unit can be exchanged or repaired before dispatch.
Q: Are weekend shifts common? ▼
Weekend work occurs when rail or customer volume requires it. Activity may shift toward container repositioning, empty returns or facilities with extended receiving hours.

CDL Job Market

Fort Wayne sits in a moderately competitive CDL-A hiring market supported by manufacturing, warehousing and distribution activity. Allen County benefits from Class I rail service and proximity to larger Midwest freight centers. Regional dry van, dedicated manufacturing, foodservice, LTL, flatbed, private fleet and intermodal employers all recruit experienced Class A drivers. Hourly rates for strong dedicated local work often reach the $30 range, while other positions vary by freight type and schedule. Intermodal and container work forms a specialized segment that values prior rail-yard and chassis experience. Drivers who already understand gate procedures and interchange documentation tend to move into these roles more quickly. Overall demand remains steady because of the region’s industrial base and its position between Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Toledo freight corridors.

Location & Freight Market

Fort Wayne functions as an inland industrial and transportation hub rather than a coastal port. Manufacturing, warehousing and distribution activity generate consistent container and trailer freight that moves through Norfolk Southern’s East Wayne Yard and connected CSX routes. The city’s location between larger Midwest markets supports both short local drayage and longer regional turns toward Toledo, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis and Columbus. Interstate corridors including I-69, I-469 and connections to I-80/90, I-75 and I-70 give truck carriers flexible routing options around congestion or construction. Consumer products, retail merchandise, automotive components and general industrial goods form the bulk of the containerized freight base. Seasonal retail peaks and manufacturing production cycles influence volume, while winter weather and summer construction periodically affect travel times. The combination of rail infrastructure and highway access keeps intermodal and regional trucking opportunities active throughout the year.

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