🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Fort Wayne, IN
- Route type: Local yard operations
- Freight: Retail DC trailer movement / 3PL yard logistics
- Schedule: 24/7 rotation, fixed 8–12 hour shifts
📋 Job Description
- Move trailers between docks, staging lanes, and parking zones inside DC yard
- Perform constant coupling and uncoupling under tight dock scheduling windows
- Maintain ELD compliance and accurate on-duty yard movement logs
- Conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections per DOT Part 396 requirements
- Coordinate with dispatch and dock supervisors for trailer flow control
- Manage tandem positioning and safe trailer spotting in congested yard conditions
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
Preferred yard or local backing experience
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Frequent coupling, walking, and yard inspections
Endorsements
None required
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Slip-seat yard tractors based on shift rotation
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024 mixed yard fleet
- Features: Collision mitigation systems, lane alerts, forward-facing dash cams, automatic transmissions
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily after each shift completion
- Schedules depend on dock flow and yard dispatch demand
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Fort Wayne, IN → Indianapolis, IN via I-69 (DC-to-DC freight repositioning, retail replenishment cycle flow)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Chicago, IL via I-69 / I-94 (high-density Midwest distribution corridor, congestion-heavy dock scheduling)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Toledo, OH via US-24 / I-80 corridor access (regional warehouse relay, tight appointment yard exchanges)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yard tractors are typically governed between 25–30 mph due to facility safety rules and tight dock environments.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Forward-facing dash cameras are standard. Some terminals may use additional safety monitoring depending on account policy.
Is dispatch forced or assigned?
Assignments are controlled by yard dispatch and dock supervisors. Loads and trailer moves are continuously assigned based on dock flow and congestion.
What is the detention pay structure?
Yard delay compensation may apply after 2 hours with verified on-duty time and dispatch approval. Payments are processed in the next payroll cycle and require documented ELD records.
Are pets allowed?
No pets allowed in slip-seat yard tractor operations due to safety, frequent truck exchanges, and shared equipment usage.
Is home time reliable under real traffic conditions?
Home time is generally same-day, but dock congestion, trailer backlog, and shift overruns can extend release times during peak warehouse cycles.
💼 Career Opportunities
Yard operations in Fort Wayne remain steady due to continuous retail and 3PL distribution flow feeding Midwest warehouse networks. Drivers entering this role typically gain experience in tight-space backing, dock coordination, and high-frequency trailer movement under live dispatch pressure. Over time, yard drivers can transition into local shuttle, regional CDL routes, or dedicated fleet positions depending on performance and availability.
Advancement opportunities include lead yard roles, trainer positions, and dispatch support assignments. Seniority affects shift selection, especially during peak retail cycles when yard volume increases and dock turnaround times tighten. While turnover is common in high-activity warehouse environments, experienced drivers often move into more stable dedicated or regional freight accounts within the same carrier network.
🔗 Yard Spotter / Yard Jockey – Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne operates as a Midwest distribution node with steady trailer movement feeding regional retail and e-commerce networks. Yard spotter drivers manage continuous trailer repositioning between staging lots and loading docks under tight appointment schedules. I-69 and I-80 corridor freight pressure influences inbound and outbound trailer flow, especially during peak retail cycles when dock congestion increases and turnaround timing becomes critical for warehouse throughput.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Yard Spotter / Yard Jockey – Distribution Center Operations in Fort Wayne, IN.
