Consolidated Balance Sheets (UNAUDITED) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash	$ 15,211	$ 14,078
Accounts receivable (owned fleet), net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $681 and $819 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	30,421	26,381
Accounts receivable (managed fleet)	20,877	19,054
Current portion of direct finance leases	11,142	6,158
Prepaid expenses	9,385	7,079
Deferred tax assets	1,968	1,968
Other current assets	277	185
Total current assets	89,281	74,903
Restricted cash	0	599
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $135,550 and $109,336 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,120,139	841,847
Net investment in direct finance leases	72,809	31,591
Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,210 and $1,006 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,979	2,095
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $7,189 and $6,519 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	1,650	2,333
Total assets	1,285,858	953,368
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	5,848	3,536
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	9,253	5,761
Due to container investors	20,779	20,113
Unearned revenue	8,630	6,786
Current portion of debt	39,387	25,764
Current portion of capital lease obligations	2,624	3,792
Rental equipment payable	56,867	13,301
Total current liabilities	143,388	79,053
Debt	825,687	575,014
Deferred income tax liability	33,934	33,816
Capital lease obligations	5,385	16,480
Income taxes payable	269	269
Total liabilities	1,008,663	704,632
Stockholders' equity
Common stock: par value $.0001 per share; authorized 84,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 19,295,359 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	2	2
Additional paid-in capital	129,180	128,183
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,273)	(3,381)
Retained earnings	151,286	105,232
Total CAI stockholders' equity	277,195	230,036
Non-controlling interest	0	18,700
Total stockholders' equity	277,195	248,736
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,285,858	$ 953,368