CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash	$ 47,593	$ 14,078
Accounts receivable (owned fleet), net of allowance for doubtful accountsof $722 and $819 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	27,471	26,381
Accounts receivable (managed fleet)	18,947	19,054
Current portion of direct finance leases	8,414	6,158
Prepaid expenses	7,065	7,079
Deferred tax assets	1,968	1,968
Other current assets	196	185
Total current assets	111,654	74,903
Restricted cash	1,143	599
Container rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $116,407 and $109,336 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	850,571	841,847
Net investment in direct finance leases	47,260	31,591
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,114 and $1,006 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,982	2,095
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $6,775 and $6,519 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	2,130	2,333
Total assets	1,014,740	953,368
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	4,379	3,536
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,016	5,761
Due to container investors	22,118	20,113
Unearned revenue	7,391	6,786
Current portion of term loans	25,764	25,764
Current portion of capital lease obligations	3,768	3,792
Rental equipment payable	2,427	13,301
Total current liabilities	71,863	79,053
Revolving credit facility	272,000	261,000
Term loans	256,573	263,014
Asset backed warehouse facility	100,000	51,000
Deferred income tax liability	33,943	33,816
Capital lease obligations	15,819	16,480
Income taxes payable	269	269
Total liabilities	750,467	704,632
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: par value $.0001 per share; authorized 84,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 19,295,359 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011	2	2
Additional paid-in capital	128,487	128,183
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,604)	(3,381)
Retained earnings	119,623	105,232
Total CAI stockholders' equity	245,508	230,036
Non-controlling interest	18,765	18,700
Total stockholders' equity	264,273	248,736
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,014,740	$ 953,368