CAI International (CAI) 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CAI International, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1388430
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,142,521
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash	$23,078		$27,810
Cash held by variable interest entities	33,582		26,011
Accounts receivable (owned fleet), net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $902 and $680 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	43,053		49,524
Accounts receivable (managed fleet)	8,482		8,498
Current portion of direct finance leases	19,064		18,150
Prepaid expenses	15,335		14,396
Other current assets	407		410
Total current assets	143,001		144,799
Restricted cash	7,978		8,232
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $292,356 and $274,333 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	1,654,834		1,564,777
Net investment in direct finance leases	76,104		76,814
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $2,115 and $2,019 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	852		945
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $4,726 and $4,817 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	183		273
Total assets	1,882,952	[1]	1,795,840	[1]
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	6,235		8,414
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,320		9,029
Due to container investors	10,031		12,984
Unearned revenue	7,596		7,172
Current portion of debt	224,088		203,199
Current portion of capital lease obligations	239		1,015
Rental equipment payable	51,286		7,381
Total current liabilities	304,795		249,194
Debt	1,074,661		1,058,754
Deferred income tax liability	43,744		43,419
Capital lease obligations			1,568
Total liabilities	1,423,200	[2]	1,352,935	[2]
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: par value $.0001 per share; authorized 84,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,142,521 and 20,788,277 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	2		2
Additional paid-in capital	160,589		154,894
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,096		-5,677
Retained earnings	306,439		292,897
Total CAI stockholders' equity	458,934		442,116
Non-controlling interest	818		789
Total stockholders' equity	459,752		442,905
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,882,952		$1,795,840
[1]	Total assets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the following assets of certain variable interest entities (VIEs) that can only be used to settle the liabilities of those VIEs: Cash, $33,582 and $26,011; Net investment in direct finance leases, $282 and $156; and Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, $98,566 and $102,100, respectively.
[2]	Total liabilities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the following VIE liabilities for which the VIE creditors do not have recourse to CAI International, Inc.: Current portion of debt, $80,108 and none; Debt, $57,431 and $132,419, respectively.

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts (owned fleet)	$902	$680
Accumulated depreciation on container rental equipment	292,356	274,333
Accumulated depreciation on furniture, fixtures and equipment	2,115	2,019
Accumulated amortization on intangible assets	4,726	4,817
Cash attributable to variable interest entities	33,582	26,011
Net investment in direct financial leases	282	156
Rental equipment attributable to variable interest entities, net of accumulated depreciation	98,566	102,100
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Collateralized financing obligations, current portion	80,108	0
Collateralized financing obligations, noncurrent portion	$57,431	$132,419
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	84,000,000	84,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	21,142,521	20,788,277
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,142,521	20,788,277

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue
Rental revenue	$54,883	$50,684
Management fee revenue	1,257	1,525
Finance lease income	2,352	2,055
Total revenue	58,492	54,264
Operating expenses
Depreciation of rental equipment	21,223	18,663
Amortization of intangible assets	84	99
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment	-357	-1,790
Storage, handling and other expenses	6,765	5,993
Marketing, general and administrative expenses	7,127	6,706
(Gain) loss on foreign exchange	-41	164
Total operating expenses	34,801	29,835
Operating income	23,691	24,429
Interest expense	8,781	8,795
Interest income	-3	-4
Net interest expense	8,778	8,791
Net income before income taxes and non-controlling interest	14,913	15,638
Income tax expense	1,342	1,407
Net income	13,571	14,231
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-29	40
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$13,542	$14,271
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.65	$0.64
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.64	$0.63
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	20,903	22,213
Diluted (in shares)	21,295	22,658

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income	$13,571	$14,231
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-2,419	65
Comprehensive income	11,152	14,296
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	-29	40
Comprehensive income attributable to CAI common stockholders	$11,123	$14,336

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$13,571	$14,231
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	21,330	18,790
Amortization of debt issuance costs	692	687
Amortization of intangible assets	84	99
Stock-based compensation expense	512	409
Unrealized loss on foreign exchange	114	100
Gain on disposition of used rental equipment	-357	-1,790
Deferred income taxes	325	-2
Bad debt expense	104
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	6,219	-3,418
Prepaid expenses and other assets	25	-29
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-5,928	-2,119
Due to container investors	-2,953	-1,458
Unearned revenue	466	125
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,204	25,625
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of rental equipment	-88,332	-73,202
Net proceeds from disposition of used rental equipment	13,884	11,070
Purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment	-15	-11
Receipt of principal payments from direct financing leases	5,154	3,346
Net cash used in investing activities	-69,309	-58,797
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from debt	94,581	66,700
Principal payments on debt	-59,952	-39,592
Debt issuance costs	-1,654
Decrease in restricted cash	254	255
Exercise of stock options	4,374	28
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation awards	810
Net cash provided by financing activities	38,413	27,391
Effect on cash of foreign currency translation	-469	95
Net increase (decrease) in cash	2,839	-5,686
Cash at beginning of the period	53,821	45,741
Cash at end of the period	56,660	40,055
Cash paid during the period for:
Income taxes	1,665	315
Interest	8,909	9,333
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activity
Transfer of rental equipment to direct finance lease	$5,448	$16,669

The_Company_And_Nature_Of_Oper

The Company And Nature Of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
The Company And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
The Company And Nature Of Operations
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	(1)The Company and Nature of Operations
	Organization
	CAI International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, CAI or the Company) is a transportation finance and logistics company. The Company purchases equipment, which it leases primarily to container shipping lines, freight forwarders and other transportation companies. The Company also manages equipment for third-party investors. In operating its fleet, the Company leases, re-leases and disposes of equipment and contracts for the repair, repositioning and storage of equipment. The Company’s equipment fleet consists primarily of intermodal marine containers. The Company also owns a small fleet of railcars, which it leases in North America.
	The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CAP”. The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco, California.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, and its 80%-owned subsidiary, CAIJ, Inc. (CAIJ). The equity attributable to the minority interest in CAIJ is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, and the related net income is presented as net income attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the Company’s cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  The results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations or cash flows which may be reported for the remainder of 2015 or in any future period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted.  The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 27, 2015.

Accounting_Policies_And_Recent

Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements	(2)Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	(a)Accounting Policies
	There were no changes to the Company’s accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2015. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2015, for a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
	(b)Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU No. 2014-09). This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminates industry-specific guidance. Leasing revenue recognition is specifically excluded from this ASU, and therefore, the new standard will only apply to management fee revenue, sales of equipment portfolios and dispositions of used equipment. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early application prohibited. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendment to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU No. 2015-02). The new guidance will change (1) the identification of variable interests (fees paid to a decision maker or service provider), (2) the variable interest entity (VIE) characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU No. 2015-03).  The new guidance will require debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation_Of_Variable_Inte

Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest [Abstract]
Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest	(3)Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities as a Non-Controlling Interest
	The Company regularly performs a review of its container fund arrangements with investors to determine whether a fund is a VIE and whether the Company has a variable interest that provides it with a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary of the VIE in accordance with FASB Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 810, Consolidation. If the fund is determined to be a VIE, further analysis is performed to determine if the Company is a primary beneficiary of the VIE and meets both of the following criteria under Paragraph 14A of ASC Topic 810:
		·	It has power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and
		·	It has the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could be potentially significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
	If in the Company’s judgment both of the above criteria are met, the VIE’s financial statements are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as required under ASC Topic 810,  Consolidation. The equity attributable to the VIE is shown as a non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and the after tax result attributable to its operations is shown as a net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interest on the Company’s consolidated statements of income.
	The Company currently enters into two types of container fund arrangements with investors which are reviewed under ASC Topic 810,  Consolidation. These arrangements include container funds that the Company manages for investors and container funds that have entered into financing arrangements with investors. Several of the funds that the Company manages, and all of the funds under financing arrangements, are Japanese container funds that were established by a related party under separate investment agreements allowed under Japanese commercial laws (see Note 11). Each of the funds is financed by unrelated Japanese third party investors.
	Managed Container Funds
	All container funds under management by the Company are considered VIEs because as manager of the funds, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance including the leasing and managing of containers owned by the funds. The fees earned for arranging, managing and establishing the funds are not significant to the expected returns of the funds so the Company does not have a variable interest in the funds. The rights to receive benefits and obligations to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the funds belong to the third party investors, so the Company concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary of the funds. The Company recognizes gain on sale of containers to the unconsolidated VIEs as sales in the ordinary course of business. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company sold no container portfolios to the VIEs.
	Collateralized Financing Obligations
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company has transferred containers with a total net book value of $142.1 million at the time of transfer to Japanese investor funds while concurrently entering into lease agreements for the same containers, under which the Company leases the containers back from the Japanese investors.  In accordance with ASC Topic 840, Sale-Leaseback Transactions, the Company concluded these were financing transactions under which sale-leaseback accounting was not applicable.
	The container funds under financing arrangements are considered VIEs under ASC Topic 810,  Consolidation because as lessee of the funds, the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact each entity’s economic performance including the leasing and managing of containers owned by the funds. The terms of the transactions include options for the Company to purchase the containers from the funds at a fixed price. As a result of the residual interest resulting from the fixed price call option, the Company concluded that it may absorb a significant amount of the variability associated with the funds’ anticipated economic performance and, as a result, the Company has a variable interest in the funds. As the Company has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs and the variable interest provides the Company with the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the funds, the Company determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and included the VIEs assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014,  and the results of the VIEs’ operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	The containers that were transferred to the Japanese investor funds had a net book value of  $98.8 million as of March 31, 2015.  The container equipment, together with $33.6 million of cash held by the investor funds, has been included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets with the offsetting liability related to the funds presented in the debt section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as collateralized financing obligations of $128.2  million and term loans held by VIE of $9.4  million.  See Note 6(e) and 6(f) for additional information.  No gain or loss was recognized by the Company on the initial consolidation of the VIEs.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases	(4)Net Investment in Direct Finance Leases
	The following table represents the components of the Company’s net investment in direct finance leases (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Gross finance lease receivables (1)		$	116,420		$	116,992
	Unearned income (2)			-21,252			-22,028
	Net investment in direct finance leases		$	95,168		$	94,964
		-1		At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.  There was no unguaranteed residual value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
		-2		The difference between the gross finance lease receivables and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	In order to estimate the allowance for losses contained in the gross finance lease receivables, the Company reviews the credit worthiness of its customers on an ongoing basis. The review includes monitoring credit quality indicators, the aging of customer receivables and general economic conditions.
	The categories of gross finance lease receivables based on the Company's internal customer credit ratings can be described as follows:
	Tier 1— These customers are typically large international shipping lines that have been in business for many years and have world-class operating capabilities and significant financial resources. In most cases, the Company has had a long commercial relationship with these customers and currently maintains regular communication with them at several levels of management, which provides the Company with insight into the customer's current operating and financial performance. In the Company's view, these customers have the greatest ability to withstand cyclical down turns and would likely have greater access to needed capital than lower-rated customers. The Company views the risk of default for Tier 1 customers to range from minimal to moderate.
	Tier 2— These customers are typically either smaller shipping lines or freight forwarders with less operating scale or with a high degree of financial leverage, and accordingly the Company views these customers as subject to higher volatility in financial performance over the business cycle. The Company generally expects these customers to have less access to capital markets or other sources of financing during cyclical down turns. The Company views the risk of default for Tier 2 customers as moderate.
	Tier 3— Customers in this category exhibit volatility in payments on a regular basis.
	Based on the above categories, the Company's gross finance lease receivables were as follows (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Tier 1		$	85,583		$	89,960
	Tier 2			30,837			27,032
	Tier 3			-			-
			$	116,420		$	116,992
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Contractual maturities of the Company's gross finance lease receivables subsequent to and as of March 31, 2015 for the years ending March 31 were as follows (in thousands):
	2016				$	26,966
	2017					23,009
	2018					27,922
	2019					25,154
	2020					6,123
	2021 and thereafter					7,246
					$	116,420

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	(5)Intangible Assets
	The Company amortizes intangible assets on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts – owned equipment	5-7 years
	Total amortization expense was $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Intangible assets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	31-Mar-15
	Trademarks	$	1,272	$	-1,107	$	165
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,637		-3,619		18
		$	4,909	$	-4,726	$	183
	31-Dec-14
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-1,084	$	194
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,812		-3,733		79
		$	5,090	$	-4,817	$	273

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(6)  Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
	Debt
	Details of the Company’s debt as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
			31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
			Outstanding				Average	Outstanding				Average	Agreement
	Reference		Current		Long-term		Interest	Current		Long-term		Interest	Terminates
	(a)(i)	Revolving credit facility	$	-	$	327,000	1.90%	$	-	$	289,000	1.90%	Mar-20
	(a)(ii)	Revolving credit facility - Rail		-		74,750	1.90%		-		61,769	1.90%	Jul-19
	(b)(i)	Term loan		1,800		25,050	2.30%		1,800		25,500	2.20%	Apr-18
	(b)(ii)	Term loan		9,000		136,500	1.90%		9,000		138,750	1.80%	Oct-19
	(b)(iii)	Term loan		9,940		106,895	1.90%		9,940		109,380	1.90%	Apr-17
	(c)	Senior secured notes		8,240		74,160	4.90%		8,240		78,280	4.90%	Sep-22
	(d)	Asset backed notes		40,000		272,875	3.40%		40,000		282,875	3.40%	Mar-28
	(e)	Collateralized financing obligations		78,279		49,872	0.80%		57,390		65,184	0.80%	Jun-19
	(f)	Term loans held by VIE		1,829		7,559	2.60%		1,829		8,016	2.60%	Jun-19
	(g)	Short term line of credit		75,000		-	1.50%		75,000		-	1.50%	May-16
		Total Debt	$	224,088	$	1,074,661		$	203,199	$	1,058,754
	(a)Revolving Credit Facilities
	Revolving credit facilities consist of the following:
	(i) On March 15, 2013, the Company entered into the Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended, with a consortium of banks to finance the acquisition of container rental equipment and for general working capital purposes. On January 30, 2015, the Company entered into an amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement with a consortium of banks, pursuant to which the prior revolving credit facility was refinanced. The agreement was amended to extend the maturity date to March 15, 2020, reduce the interest rate, increase the commitment level from $760.0 million to $775.0 million, and revise certain of the covenants and restrictions under the prior facility to provide the Company with additional flexibility.
	As of March 31, 2015, the maximum commitment under the revolving credit facility was $775.0 million.  The revolving credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $960.0 million, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, so long as no default or event of default exists either before or immediately after giving effect to the increase. There is a commitment fee on the unused amount of the total commitment, payable quarterly in arrears. The revolving credit facility provides that swing line loans (short-term borrowings of up to $10.0 million in the aggregate that are payable within 10 business days or at maturity date, whichever comes earlier) and standby letters of credit (up to $15.0 million in the aggregate) will be available to the Company. These credit commitments are part of, and not in addition to, the total commitment provided under the revolving credit facility. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the revolving credit agreement.  Interest rates are based on LIBOR for Eurodollar loans and Base Rate for Base Rate loans. In addition to various financial and other covenants, the Company’s revolving credit facility also includes certain restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur other indebtedness or pay dividends to stockholders.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the revolving credit facility.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had  $447.9 million in availability under the revolving credit facility (net of $0.1 million in letters of credit) subject to its ability to meet the collateral requirements under the agreement governing the facility. The entire amount of the facility drawn at any time plus accrued interest and fees is callable on demand in the event of certain specified events of default.
	The Company’s revolving credit facility, including any amounts drawn on the facility, is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company (not otherwise used as security for its other credit facilities) including equipment owned by the Company, which had a net book value of $619.9 million as of March 31, 2015, the underlying leases thereon and the Company’s interest in any money received under such contracts.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(ii) On July 25, 2014, the Company and CAI Rail Inc. (CAI Rail), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, as amended, with a consortium of banks to finance the acquisition of railcars.  As of March 31, 2015, the maximum credit commitment under the revolving credit facility was $250.0 million. CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $325.0 million, in accordance with the terms of the agreement, subject to certain conditions.
	Borrowings under this revolving credit facility bear interest at a variable rate. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the revolving credit agreement.  Interest rates are based on LIBOR for Eurodollar loans and Base Rate for Base Rate loans.
	As of March 31, 2015, CAI Rail had  $175.2 million in availability under the revolving credit facility, subject to its ability to meet the collateral requirements under the agreement governing the facility. The entire amount of the facility drawn at any time plus accrued interest and fees is callable on demand in the event of certain specified events of default.
	The agreement governing CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility contains various financial and other covenants.  As of March 31, 2015, CAI Rail was in compliance with the terms of the revolving credit facility.  CAI Rail’s revolving credit facility, including any amounts drawn on the facility, is secured by all of the assets of CAI Rail, which had a net book value of $96.4 million as of March 31, 2015, and is guaranteed by the Company.
	(b)Term Loans
	Term loans consist of the following:
	(i)  On March 22, 2013, the Company entered into a $30.0 million five-year loan agreement with Development Bank of Japan (DBJ). The loan is payable in 19 quarterly installments of $0.5 million starting July 31, 2013 and a final payment of $21.5 million on April 30, 2018. The loan bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. As of March 31, 2015, the loan had a balance of  $26.9 million.
	(ii)  On December 20, 2010, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with a consortium of banks. Under this loan agreement, the Company was eligible to borrow up to $300.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions, which amount is secured by certain assets of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries.  The loan agreement is an amortizing facility with a term of six years. The interest rates vary depending upon whether the loans are characterized as Base Rate loans or Eurodollar rate loans, as defined in the term loan agreement. The loan bears a variable interest rate based on LIBOR for Eurodollar loans, and Base Rate for base rate loans.
	On March 28, 2013, the term loan was amended which reduced the principal balance of the loan from $249.4 million to $125.0 million through payment of $124.4 million from the proceeds of the $229.0 million fixed-rate asset-backed notes issued by the Company’s indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, CAL Funding II Limited (see Note 6(d) below).
	On October 1, 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated term loan agreement with a consortium of banks, pursuant to which the prior loan agreement was refinanced. The amended and restated term loan agreement, which contains similar terms to the prior loan agreement, was amended to, among other things: (a) reduce the borrowing rates from LIBOR plus 2.25% to LIBOR plus 1.6% (per annum) for Eurodollar loans, (b) increase the outstanding loan commitment from $115.0 million to $150.0 million, (c) extend the maturity date to October 1, 2019, and (d) revise certain of the covenants and restrictions under the prior loan agreement to provide the Company with additional flexibility. As of March 31, 2015, the term loan had a balance of $145.5 million.
	(iii) On April 11, 2012, the Company entered into a term loan agreement with a consortium of banks. The agreement, as amended, provides for a five year term loan of up to $142.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions, which amount is secured by certain assets of the Company. The commitment under the loan may be increased to a maximum of $200.0 million under certain conditions described in the agreement. The outstanding principal amounts under the term loan bear interest based on LIBOR, amortized quarterly, and require quarterly payments equal to 1.75% multiplied by the outstanding principal amount at such time. The facility contains various financial and other covenants. The full $142.0 million has been drawn and was primarily used to repay outstanding amounts under the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. All unpaid amounts then outstanding are due and payable on April 11, 2017.  As of March 31, 2015, the loan had a balance of  $116.8 million.
	The Company’s term loans are secured by rental equipment owned by the Company, which had a net book value of $350.8 million as of March 31, 2015.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(c)Senior Secured Notes
	On September 13, 2012, Container Applications Limited (CAL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors, pursuant to which CAL issued $103.0 million of its 4.90% Senior Secured Notes due September 13, 2022 (the Notes) to the investors. The Notes are guaranteed by the Company and secured by certain assets of CAL and the Company.
	The Notes bear interest at 4.9% per annum, due and payable semiannually on March 13 and September 13 of each year, commencing on March 13, 2013.  In addition, CAL is required to make certain principal payments on March 13 and September 13 of each year, commencing on March 13, 2013.  Any unpaid principal and interest is due and payable on September 13, 2022. The Note Purchase Agreement provides that CAL may prepay at any time all or any part of the Notes in an amount not less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. As of March 31, 2015, the Notes had a balance of  $82.4  million.
	The Notes are secured by certain rental equipment owned by the Company, which had a net book value of $107.2  million as of March 31, 2015.
	(d)Asset-Backed Notes
	On October 18, 2012, CAL Funding II Limited (CAL II), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of CAI, issued $171.0 million of 3.47% fixed rate asset-backed notes (Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes).  Principal and interest on the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes is payable monthly commencing on November 26, 2012, and the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes mature in October 2027.  The proceeds from the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes were used to repay part of the Company’s borrowings under its senior revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2015, the Series 2012-1 Asset-Backed Notes had a balance of  $129.7 million.
	On March 28, 2013, CAL II issued $229.0 million of 3.35% fixed rate asset-backed notes (Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes). Principal and interest on the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes is payable monthly commencing on April 25, 2013, and the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes mature in March 2028. The proceeds from the Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes were used partly to reduce the balance of the Company’s term loan as described in Note 6 (b)(ii) above, and to partially pay down the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. The Series 2013-1 Asset-Backed Notes had a balance of  $183.2  million as of March 31, 2015.
	The Company’s asset-backed notes are secured by certain rental equipment owned by the Company, which had a net book value of $403.2 million as of March 31, 2015.
	The agreements under each of the asset-backed notes described above require the Company to maintain a restricted cash account to cover payment of the obligations. As of March 31, 2015, the restricted cash account had a balance of $8.0  million.
	(e)Collateralized Financing Obligations
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had collateralized financing obligations of $128.1 million (see Note 3). The obligations had an average interest rate of 0.8% as of March 31, 2015 with maturity dates between June 2015 and June 2019. The debt is secured by a pool of containers covered under the financing arrangements.
	(f)Term Loans Held by VIE
	On June 25, 2014, one of the Japanese investor funds that is consolidated by the Company as a VIE (see Note 3) entered into a term loan agreement with a bank. Under the terms of the agreement, the Japanese investor fund entered into two loans; a five year, amortizing loan of $9.2 million at a fixed interest rate of 2.7%, and a five year, non-amortizing loan of $1.6 million at a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. The debt is secured by assets of the Japanese investor fund, and is subject to certain borrowing conditions set out in the loan agreement. As of March 31, 2015, the term loans held by the Japanese investor fund totaled  $9.4 million and had an average interest rate of 2.6%.
	The Company’s term loans held by VIE are secured by rental equipment owned by the Company, which had a net book value of $19.1 million as of March 31, 2015.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(g)Short Term Line of Credit
	On May 8, 2014, CAL entered into a short term uncommitted line of credit agreement. Under this credit agreement, CAL is eligible to borrow up to $75.0 million, subject to certain borrowing conditions. Loans made under the line of credit are repayable on the earlier of (a) 3 months after the loan is made, and (b) the facility termination date of May 8, 2016. Outstanding loans bear a variable interest rate based on LIBOR. The full $75.0 million has been drawn and was primarily used to repay outstanding amounts under the Company’s senior revolving credit facility. As of March 31, 2015, the loan had a balance of $75.0 million, which is due and payable on June 24, 2015. The Company intends to renew the loan prior to the maturity date. Interest is charged on the outstanding loan at an annual rate of 1.5%.
	The agreements relating to all of the Company’s debt contain various financial and other covenants. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.
	Capital Lease Obligations
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had capital lease obligations of $0.2  million. The underlying obligations are denominated in Euros at floating interest rates averaging 2.8% as of March 31, 2015 with maturity dates between June 2015 and March 2016. The loans are secured by containers covered by the lease obligations, which had a net book value of $0.5  million as of March 31, 2015.

StockBased_Compensation_Plan

Stock-Based Compensation Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation Plan [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation Plan	(7) Stock–Based Compensation Plan
	Stock Options
	The Company grants stock options to certain employees and independent directors pursuant to its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (Plan) which was adopted on April 23, 2007 and amended on June 5, 2009, June 3, 2011 and June 8, 2012. Under the Plan, a maximum of 1,721,980 share awards may be granted.
	Stock options granted to employees have a vesting period of four years from grant date, with 25% vesting after one year, and 1/48th vesting each month thereafter until fully vested. Stock options granted to independent directors vest in one year. All of the stock options have a contractual term of ten years.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
			Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average
		Number of	Exercise			Number of	Exercise
		Shares	Price			Shares	Price
	Options outstanding at January 1	1,420,749	$	15.67		1,263,485	$	14.84
	Options granted - employees	-	$	-		-	$	-
	Options granted - directors	-	$	-		-	$	-
	Options forfeited - employees	-	$	-		-5,417	$	22.55
	Options exercised - employees	-354,244	$	12.35		-1,583		17.77
	Options outstanding at March 31	1,066,505	$	16.78		1,256,485	$	14.80
	Options exercisable	835,276	$	15.31		1,065,373	$	13.23
	Weighted average remaining term	5.1 years				5.0 years
	The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $4.0 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of all options outstanding as of March 31, 2015 was  $8.6 million based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $24.57 per share on March 31, 2015, the last trading day of the quarter.
	The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of  $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  As of March 31, 2015, the remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost relating to stock options granted to the Company’s employees and independent directors was approximately $1.9 million which is to be recognized over the remaining weighted average vesting period of approximately 2.5  years.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	Restricted Stock
	The Company grants restricted stock to certain employees pursuant to the Plan. The restricted stock is valued based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant and has a vesting period of four years. The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock under the Company’s Plan:
			Number of		Weighted
			Shares of		Average
			Restricted		Grant Date
			Stock		Fair Value
	Restricted stock outstanding, December 31, 2014		42,502		$	23.87
	Restricted stock granted		-		$	-
	Restricted stock vested		-1,046		$	24.37
	Restricted stock forfeited		-		$	-
	Restricted stock outstanding, March 31, 2015		41,456		$	23.86
	The Company recognized $0.1  million and less than  $0.1 million of stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 respectively. As of March 31, 2015, unamortized stock compensation expense relating to restricted stock was $0.8  million to be recognized over the remaining average vesting period of 2.6  years.
	Stock-based compensation expense is recorded as a component of marketing, general and administrative expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of income with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(8)Income Taxes
	The consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was determined based upon estimates of the Company’s consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The difference between the consolidated effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to foreign income taxes, state income taxes and the effect of certain permanent differences.
	The Company’s estimated full year effective tax rate, before certain non-recurring discrete items, was 7.9% at March 31, 2015 compared to 9.4% at March 31, 2014. The lower estimated full year effective tax rate at March 31, 2015 was due primarily to higher pretax income from foreign operations where statutory rates are lower than the U.S. income tax rates.
	The Company recognizes in the financial statements a liability for tax uncertainty if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $0.1 million, which if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate. Total accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits was less than $0.1 million as of March 31, 2015. The Company does not believe the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2015 will increase or decrease for the remainder of 2015.

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	(9)Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short term line of credit approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The Company’s collateralized financing obligations of $128.1 million as of March 31, 2015 were estimated to have a fair value of approximately $127.2 million based on the fair value of estimated future payments calculated using prevailing interest rates. The fair value of these financial instruments would be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  Management believes that the balances of the Company’s revolving credit facilities of $401.8 million, term loans totaling $289.2 million, senior secured notes of $82.4 million, asset-backed notes of $312.9 million, term loans held by VIE of $9.4 million, net investment in direct finance leases of $95.2 million and capital lease obligations of $0.2 million approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2015. The fair value of these financial instruments would be categorized as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	(10)Commitments and Contingencies
	In addition to its debt obligations described in Note 6 above, the Company had commitments to purchase approximately $148.1 million of rental equipment as of March 31, 2015. The Company also utilizes certain office facilities and equipment under long-term non-cancellable operating lease agreements with total future minimum lease payments of approximately $3.3 million as of March 31, 2015.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	(11)Related Party Transactions
	The Company has transferred legal ownership of certain containers to Japanese container funds which were established by Japan Investment Adviser Co., Ltd. (JIA) and CAIJ. CAIJ is an 80%-owned subsidiary of CAI with the remaining 20% owned by JIA. Prior to September 30, 2013, JIA was owned and controlled by the Managing Director of CAIJ.  Prior to the transfer of containers from the Company, the container funds received contributions from unrelated Japanese investors, under separate Japanese investment agreements allowed under Japanese commercial laws. The contributions were used to purchase container equipment from the Company. Under the terms of the agreements, the CAI-related Japanese entities manage the activities of certain Japanese entities but may outsource the whole or part of each operation to a third party. Pursuant to its services agreements with investors, the Japanese container funds have outsourced the general management of their operations to CAIJ. The Japanese container funds have also entered into equipment management service agreements and financing arrangements whereby the Company manages the leasing activity of containers owned by the Japanese container funds.
	As described in Note 3, the Japanese managed container funds and financing arrangements are considered VIEs. However, with the exception of the financing arrangements described in Note 3, the Company does not consider its interest in the managed Japanese container funds to be a variable interest. As such, the Company did not consolidate the assets and liabilities, results of operations or cash flows of these funds in its consolidated financial statements.  The sale of containers to the unconsolidated Japanese VIEs has been recorded on the Company’s books as a sale in the ordinary course of business.
	As described in Note 3, the Company has included in its consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities, results of operations, and cash flows of the financing arrangements, in accordance with ASC Topic 810, Consolidation.

Segment_And_Geographic_Informa

Segment And Geographic Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment And Geographic Information [Abstract]
Segment And Geographic Information	(12)Segment and Geographic Information
	The Company operates in one industry segment, equipment leasing. Prior to the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company had two reportable business segments, equipment leasing and equipment management. The Company determined that equipment management no longer meets the requirements of a reportable segment and, as such, it no longer discloses two reportable segments.
	Geographic Data
	The Company earns its revenue primarily from international containers which are deployed by its customers in a wide variety of global trade routes. Virtually all of the Company’s containers are used internationally and typically no container is domiciled in one particular place for a prolonged period of time. As such, substantially all of the Company’s container assets are considered to be international with no single country of use.
	The Company’s railcars, with a net book value of $97.0  million as of March 31, 2015, are used primarily to transport cargo within North America.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	(13)Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock; however, potential common equivalent shares are excluded if their effect is anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share data):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Numerator
	Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used
	in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	13,542	$	14,271
	Denominator
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share		20,903		22,213
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock		392		445
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share		21,295		22,658
	Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.65	$	0.64
	Diluted	$	0.64	$	0.63
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 excluded from the denominator  445,050 shares and 364,333 shares, respectively, of common stock options because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Accounting_Policies_And_Recent1

Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies And Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	(a)Accounting Policies
	There were no changes to the Company’s accounting policies during the three months ended March 31, 2015. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2015, for a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	(b)Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU No. 2014-09). This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminates industry-specific guidance. Leasing revenue recognition is specifically excluded from this ASU, and therefore, the new standard will only apply to management fee revenue, sales of equipment portfolios and dispositions of used equipment. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early application prohibited. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendment to the Consolidation Analysis (ASU No. 2015-02). The new guidance will change (1) the identification of variable interests (fees paid to a decision maker or service provider), (2) the variable interest entity (VIE) characteristics for a limited partnership or similar entity and (3) the primary beneficiary determination. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	CAI INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU No. 2015-03).  The new guidance will require debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan1

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]
Components Of Entity's Net Investment In Finance Leases
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Gross finance lease receivables (1)		$	116,420		$	116,992
	Unearned income (2)			-21,252			-22,028
	Net investment in direct finance leases		$	95,168		$	94,964
		-1		At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.  There was no unguaranteed residual value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
		-2		The difference between the gross finance lease receivables and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Gross Finance Lease Receivables By Categories Of Customers
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Tier 1		$	85,583		$	89,960
	Tier 2			30,837			27,032
	Tier 3			-			-
			$	116,420		$	116,992
Contractual Maturities Of Gross Finance Lease Receivables
	2016				$	26,966
	2017					23,009
	2018					27,922
	2019					25,154
	2020					6,123
	2021 and thereafter					7,246
					$	116,420

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Useful Life Of Finite-lived Intangible Assets
	Trademarks	1-10 years
	Contracts – owned equipment	5-7 years
Intangible Assets
		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
	31-Mar-15
	Trademarks	$	1,272	$	-1,107	$	165
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,637		-3,619		18
		$	4,909	$	-4,726	$	183
	31-Dec-14
	Trademarks	$	1,278	$	-1,084	$	194
	Contracts- owned equipment		3,812		-3,733		79
		$	5,090	$	-4,817	$	273

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat1

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Details Of Debt
			31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
			Outstanding				Average	Outstanding				Average	Agreement
	Reference		Current		Long-term		Interest	Current		Long-term		Interest	Terminates
	(a)(i)	Revolving credit facility	$	-	$	327,000	1.90%	$	-	$	289,000	1.90%	Mar-20
	(a)(ii)	Revolving credit facility - Rail		-		74,750	1.90%		-		61,769	1.90%	Jul-19
	(b)(i)	Term loan		1,800		25,050	2.30%		1,800		25,500	2.20%	Apr-18
	(b)(ii)	Term loan		9,000		136,500	1.90%		9,000		138,750	1.80%	Oct-19
	(b)(iii)	Term loan		9,940		106,895	1.90%		9,940		109,380	1.90%	Apr-17
	(c)	Senior secured notes		8,240		74,160	4.90%		8,240		78,280	4.90%	Sep-22
	(d)	Asset backed notes		40,000		272,875	3.40%		40,000		282,875	3.40%	Mar-28
	(e)	Collateralized financing obligations		78,279		49,872	0.80%		57,390		65,184	0.80%	Jun-19
	(f)	Term loans held by VIE		1,829		7,559	2.60%		1,829		8,016	2.60%	Jun-19
	(g)	Short term line of credit		75,000		-	1.50%		75,000		-	1.50%	May-16
		Total Debt	$	224,088	$	1,074,661		$	203,199	$	1,058,754

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_T

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Summary Of Stock Option Plan And Restricted Stock Activity
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
			Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average
		Number of	Exercise			Number of	Exercise
		Shares	Price			Shares	Price
	Options outstanding at January 1	1,420,749	$	15.67		1,263,485	$	14.84
	Options granted - employees	-	$	-		-	$	-
	Options granted - directors	-	$	-		-	$	-
	Options forfeited - employees	-	$	-		-5,417	$	22.55
	Options exercised - employees	-354,244	$	12.35		-1,583		17.77
	Options outstanding at March 31	1,066,505	$	16.78		1,256,485	$	14.80
	Options exercisable	835,276	$	15.31		1,065,373	$	13.23
	Weighted average remaining term	5.1 years				5.0 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Summary Of Stock Option Plan And Restricted Stock Activity
			Number of		Weighted
			Shares of		Average
			Restricted		Grant Date
			Stock		Fair Value
	Restricted stock outstanding, December 31, 2014		42,502		$	23.87
	Restricted stock granted		-		$	-
	Restricted stock vested		-1,046		$	24.37
	Restricted stock forfeited		-		$	-
	Restricted stock outstanding, March 31, 2015		41,456		$	23.86

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Numerator
	Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used
	in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$	13,542	$	14,271
	Denominator
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share		20,903		22,213
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and restricted stock		392		445
	Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share		21,295		22,658
	Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders:
	Basic	$	0.65	$	0.64
	Diluted	$	0.64	$	0.63

The_Company_And_Nature_Of_Oper1

The Company And Nature Of Operations (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
The Company And Nature Of Operations [Abstract]
Ownership interest in subsidiary (in percentage)	80.00%

Consolidation_Of_Variable_Inte1

Consolidation Of Variable Interest Entities As A Non-Controlling Interest (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net book value of containers transferred	$852,000	$945,000
Long-term debt	1,074,661,000	1,058,754,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Net book value of equipment transfered	142,100,000
Net book value of containers transferred	98,800,000
Cash held by investor funds	33,600,000
Gain (loss) recognized on initial consolidation of VIEs	0
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Long-term debt	128,200,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$9,400,000

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan2

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Components Of Entity's Net Investment In Finance Leases) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]
Gross finance lease receivables	$116,420,000	[1]	$116,992,000	[1]
Unearned income	-21,252,000	[2]	-22,028,000	[2]
Net investment in finance leases	95,168,000		94,964,000
Unguaranteed residual value	0		0
Executory costs	0		0
Unamortized initial direct costs	$0		$0
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.B B There was no unguaranteed residual value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
[2]	The difference between the gross finance lease receivables and the cost of the equipment or carrying amount at the lease inception is recorded as unearned income. Unearned income together with initial direct costs, are amortized to income over the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of return. There were no unamortized initial direct costs as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan3

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Gross Finance Lease Receivables By Categories Of Customers) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross finance lease receivables	$116,420	[1]	$116,992	[1]
Tier 1 [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross finance lease receivables	85,583		89,960
Tier 2 [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Gross finance lease receivables	$30,837		$27,032
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.B B There was no unguaranteed residual value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Net_Investment_In_Direct_Finan4

Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases (Contractual Maturities Of Gross Finance Lease Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net Investment In Direct Finance Leases [Abstract]
2016	$26,966
2017	23,009
2018	27,922
2019	25,154
2020	6,123
2021 and thereafter	7,246
Gross finance lease receivables	$116,420	[1]	$116,992	[1]
[1]	At the inception of the lease, the Company records the total minimum lease payments, executory costs, if any, and unguaranteed residual value as gross finance lease receivables. The gross finance lease receivables are reduced as customer payments are received.B B There was no unguaranteed residual value at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included in gross finance lease receivables. There were no executory costs included in gross finance lease receivables as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$84	$99

Intangible_Assets_Useful_Life_

Intangible Assets (Useful Life Of Finite-lived Intangible Assets) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Trademarks [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	1 year
Trademarks [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	10 years
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	5 years
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of intangible assets	7 years

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$4,909	$5,090
Accumulated Amortization	-4,726	-4,817
Net Carrying Amount	183	273
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,272	1,278
Accumulated Amortization	-1,107	-1,084
Net Carrying Amount	165	194
Contracts Owned Equipment [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,637	3,812
Accumulated Amortization	-3,619	-3,733
Net Carrying Amount	$18	$79

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat2

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 28, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 30, 2015	Mar. 27, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short term line of credit	$75,000,000
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	1,074,661,000			1,058,754,000
Restricted cash	7,978,000			8,232,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Mar-20
Maximum amount credit facility might be increased	960,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%			1.90%
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Availability borrowing capacity	447,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Equipment [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	619,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CAI Rail Inc [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Jul-19
Maximum credit commitment	250,000,000
Maximum amount credit facility might be increased	325,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%			1.90%
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Availability borrowing capacity	175,200,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CAI Rail Inc [Member] | CAI Rail Assets [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	96,400,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	15-Mar-20
Maximum credit commitment	775,000,000				760,000,000
Swing Line Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum credit commitment	10,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Number of business days short term borrowings payable, Maximum	10 days
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum credit commitment	15,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Letters of credit outstanding	100,000
Term Loan [Member] | Rental Equipment [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	350,800,000
Term Loan [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Apr-18
Principal amount of loan	30,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.30%			2.20%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Term of loan	5 years
Number of quarterly installments	19
Quarterly payments of principal	500,000
Debt instrument final payment	21,500,000
Amount outstanding under the facility	26,900,000
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Oct-19
Maximum credit commitment	300,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%			1.80%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Amount outstanding under the facility		125,000,000				249,400,000
Amortization term of facility	6 years
Proceeds used to repay credit facility		124,400,000
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated October 1, 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum credit commitment	150,000,000		115,000,000
Term Loans [Abstract]
Amount outstanding under the facility	145,500,000
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Apr-17
Maximum credit commitment	142,000,000
Maximum amount credit facility might be increased	200,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%			1.90%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Term of loan	5 years
Amount outstanding under the facility	116,800,000
Periodic payments specified as percentage of drawn amount (in hundredths)	1.75%
Term Loan [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated October 1, 2014 [Member]
Term Loans [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	1.60%		2.25%
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Sep-22
Percentage of aggregate principal to prepay, minimum (in hundredths)	10.00%
Average Interest (in hundredths)	4.90%			4.90%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Amount outstanding under the facility	82,400,000
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	103,000,000
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Rental Equipment [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	107,200,000
Asset Backed Warehouse Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of loan	171,000,000
Fixed interest rate	3.47%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Amount outstanding under the facility	129,700,000
Proceeds used for working capital purposes		229,000,000
Asset Backed Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Mar-28
Principal amount of loan	229,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	3.40%			3.40%
Fixed interest rate	3.35%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Amount outstanding under the facility	183,200,000
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Restricted cash	8,000,000
Asset Backed Notes [Member] | Rental Equipment [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	403,200,000
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Jun-19
Average Interest (in hundredths)	0.80%			0.80%
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	128,100,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Average fixed and floating interest rates	0.80%
Maturity date range start	1-Jun-15
Maturity date range end	1-Jun-19
Short Term Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-May-16
Maximum credit commitment	75,000,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.50%			1.50%
Fixed interest rate	1.50%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Capital Lease Obligations [Abstract]
Average fixed and floating interest rates	2.80%
Maturity date range start	1-Jun-15
Maturity date range end	1-Mar-16
Estimated future principal and interest payments under capital lease obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease obligation	200,000
Capital Lease Obligations [Member] | Containers [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	500,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	1-Jun-19
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.60%			2.60%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Number of loans	2
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	9,400,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Rental Equipment [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]
Net book value	19,100,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Amortizing Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed interest rate	2.70%
Term Loans [Abstract]
Term of loan	5 years
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	9,200,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Non-Amortizing Term Loan [Member]
Term Loans [Abstract]
Term of loan	5 years
Long term debt maturity [Abstract]
Long-term debt	$1,600,000

Debt_And_Capital_Lease_Obligat3

Debt And Capital Lease Obligations (Details Of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	$224,088	$203,199
Long-term Outstanding	1,074,661	1,058,754
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Outstanding	327,000	289,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	1.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Mar-20
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | CAI Rail Inc [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Outstanding	74,750	61,769
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	1.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Jul-19
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Agreement Terminates	15-Mar-20
Term Loan [Member] | Development Bank of Japan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	1,800	1,800
Long-term Outstanding	25,050	25,500
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.30%	2.20%
Agreement Terminates	1-Apr-18
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	9,000	9,000
Long-term Outstanding	136,500	138,750
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	1.80%
Agreement Terminates	1-Oct-19
Term Loan [Member] | Consortium of Banks, Note Dated April 11, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	9,940	9,940
Long-term Outstanding	106,895	109,380
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.90%	1.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Apr-17
Senior Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	8,240	8,240
Long-term Outstanding	74,160	78,280
Average Interest (in hundredths)	4.90%	4.90%
Agreement Terminates	1-Sep-22
Asset Backed Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	40,000	40,000
Long-term Outstanding	272,875	282,875
Average Interest (in hundredths)	3.40%	3.40%
Agreement Terminates	1-Mar-28
Collateralized Financing Obligation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	78,279	57,390
Long-term Outstanding	49,872	65,184
Average Interest (in hundredths)	0.80%	0.80%
Agreement Terminates	1-Jun-19
Short Term Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	75,000	75,000
Average Interest (in hundredths)	1.50%	1.50%
Agreement Terminates	1-May-16
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current Outstanding	1,829	1,829
Long-term Outstanding	$7,559	$8,016
Average Interest (in hundredths)	2.60%	2.60%
Agreement Terminates	1-Jun-19

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_N

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Closing stock price (in dollars per share)	$24.57
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	4 years
Percentage of stock options vesting after one year (in hundredths)	25.00%
Percentage of stock options vesting each month following first year (in hundredths)	2.08%
2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	1 year
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	$0.40	$0.40
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost	1.9
Stock-based compensation cost recognition period	2 years 6 months
Aggregate Intrinsic Value [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	4	0.1
Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding	8.6
Employee Stock Option [Member] | 2007 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options available for grant	1,721,980
Contractual term	10 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of stock options (in years)	4 years
Stock-based compensation expense recorded	0.1	0.1
Remaining unamortized stock-based compensation cost	$0.80
Stock-based compensation cost recognition period	2 years 7 months 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_S

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Summary Of Stock Option Plan Activity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock Options Activity [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	1,420,749	1,263,485
Options outstanding at end of period (in shares)	1,066,505	1,256,485
Options exercisable at end of period (in shares)	835,276	1,065,373
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Options outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$15.67	$14.84
Options outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	$16.78	$14.80
Options exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$15.31	$13.23
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining term (in years)	5 years 1 month 6 days	5 years
Employees [Member]
Stock Options Activity [Roll Forward]
Options forfeited - employees (in shares)		-5,417
Options exercised - employees (in shares)	-354,244	-1,583
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]
Options forfeited - employees (in dollars per share)		$22.55
Options exercised - employees (in dollars per share)	$12.35	$17.77

StockBased_Compensation_Plan_S1

Stock-Based Compensation Plan (Summary Of Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock outstanding, beginning balance	42,502
Restricted stock vested	-1,046
Restricted stock outstanding, ending balance	41,456
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning balance	$23.87
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Share units vested	$24.37
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending balance	$23.86

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	7.90%	9.40%
Unrecognized tax benefits	$0.10
Accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits, maximum	$0.10

Fair_Value_Of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Collateralized financing obligations, at carrying value	$128.10
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of collateralized financing obligations	127.2
Fair value of revolving credit facility	401.8
Fair value of term loan	289.2
Senior secured notes	82.4
Asset backed warehouse facility	312.9
Net investment in direct finance leases	95.2
Net Investment in Capital Lease Obligations	0.2
Term Loan [Member] | Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of term loan	$9.40

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments to purchase container rental equipment	$148.10
Future minimum lease payments under operating lease agreements	$3.30

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Ownership percentage by parent in CAIJ (in hundredths)	80.00%
Ownership percentage by JIA in CAIJ (in hundredths)	20.00%

Segment_And_Geographic_Informa1

Segment And Geographic Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment	segment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of operating industry segments	1
Number of reportable segments	1	2
Net book value	$852	$945
Railcar Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Net book value	$97,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details) (Employee Stock Option [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Securities having antidilutive effect (in shares)	445,050	364,333

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share (Reconciliation Of Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator [Abstract]
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share	$13,542	$14,271
Denominator [Abstract]
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of basic earnings per share (in shares)	20,903	22,213
Effect of dilutive securities: Stock options and restricted stock (in shares)	392	445
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	21,295	22,658
Net income per share attributable to CAI common stockholders [Abstract]
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.65	$0.64
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.64	$0.63