🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Orlando, Florida
- Route type: Local airport cargo / shuttle operations
- Freight: Air pallets (ULD), express parcels, medical & high-value freight
- Schedule: Rotating day/night shifts tied to flight departures
📋 Job Description
- Pre-trip & post-trip inspections under DOT Part 396 with strict documentation
- Operate ELD systems (Samsara / Geotab) for airport-regulated freight timing
- Shuttle air cargo between MCO terminals, cargo ramps, and staging yards
- Manage tight dock backing in congested airport freight zones
- Handle palletized ULD containers using dollies and yard tractors
- Coordinate with ground crews under TSA-controlled access procedures
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year preferred, airport or local freight experience a plus
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Loading/unloading support with pallet equipment
Endorsements
TSA background clearance required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Day cab + yard tractors (slip-seat possible)
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024
- Features: collision mitigation, lane assist, forward dash cams, ELD systems
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily based on airport shift completion and dispatch cycle
- Rotating day/night schedule tied to flight cargo windows
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Orlando, FL → Miami, FL via I-4 / I-95 (air freight redistribution to South Florida cargo hubs, tight airport-to-airport relay timing)
- Orlando, FL → Jacksonville, FL via I-95 (overnight express freight, airline pallet transfer to northern FL cargo staging centers)
- Orlando, FL → Tampa, FL via I-4 (high-frequency shuttle runs, short-cycle airport freight balancing between Gulf Coast terminals)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
Sign-on structure ranges from $500–$1,500 depending on terminal assignment. Payout is staggered across active payroll cycles and tied to attendance, safety compliance, and completed dispatch periods. Early resignation or safety violations may affect remaining unpaid balance.
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yes. Most airport fleet units are governed around 65–68 mph. Speed control is tied to safety policy inside terminal zones and highway segments during shuttle runs.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Forward-facing dash cams are standard. Some terminal accounts may include inward-facing units depending on TSA and carrier compliance requirements.
Is dispatch forced or assigned?
Dispatch is pre-planned based on flight schedules and cargo readiness. During peak airport volume, relay assignments may shift based on dock congestion and trailer availability.
What is the detention pay structure?
Detention starts after 2 hours at receiver or cargo dock. Must be logged via ELD and approved by dispatch. Paid in next payroll cycle, not immediate.
Are pets allowed?
Not standard on airport cargo assignments due to slip-seat operations and TSA-controlled terminal access rules. Exceptions are rare and terminal-specific.
Is home time reliable under real traffic conditions?
Home time depends on flight cycles, dock delays, and late inbound freight. During peak travel seasons, airport congestion can push release windows back by several hours.
💼 Career Opportunities
CDL-A airport cargo demand in Orlando stays steady due to passenger travel volume, medical freight lanes, and express airline logistics feeding regional hubs across Florida. Drivers can move from local shuttle work into lead airport positions, trainer roles, or dispatch coordination over time. Seniority affects assignment priority on high-volume shifts, especially during holiday and tourism peaks when freight density spikes around MCO cargo terminals. Some drivers transition into regional freight lanes or dedicated airline contracts. Despite steady demand, airport operations remain schedule-driven, with dispatch timing tied directly to flight windows, dock readiness, and TSA clearance flow.
🔗 CDL-A Airport Cargo Driver — Orlando, Florida
Orlando airport freight operates as a high-frequency shuttle network tied to MCO cargo terminals and regional distribution hubs across Florida. Freight moves through tight airport corridors where TSA compliance, dock congestion, and flight schedules directly control dispatch timing. I-4 and I-95 corridors handle most outbound air freight redistribution toward Miami and Jacksonville, creating constant relay pressure during peak travel cycles. This local CDL-A role stays focused on short-haul precision, ELD timing discipline, and rapid turnaround between cargo ramps and staging yards in a high-security freight environment.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for CDL-A Airport Cargo Driver — Orlando International Freight Operations in Orlando, Florida.
