CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenue
Total revenue	$ 294,013	$ 298,853	$ 284,924
Operating expenses
Depreciation of rental equipment	109,856	111,917	107,109
Storage, handling and other expenses	17,758	17,533	8,853
Gain on sale of rental equipment	(10,204)	(4,402)	(9,886)
Administrative expenses	27,312	34,188	28,792
Total operating expenses	144,722	159,236	134,868
Operating income	149,291	139,617	150,056
Other expenses
Net interest expense	61,565	79,174	62,573
Write-off of debt issuance costs	6,135
Other (income) expense	(651)	313	677
Total other expenses	67,049	79,487	63,250
Income before income taxes	82,242	60,130	86,806
Income tax expense	1,800	4,783	5,089
Income from continuing operations	80,442	55,347	81,717
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(52,709)	(24,336)	(3,121)
Net income	27,733	31,011	78,596
Preferred stock dividends	8,829	8,829	5,124
Net income attributable to CAI common stockholders	18,904	22,182	73,472
Amounts attributable to CAI common stockholders
Net income from continuing operations	71,613	46,518	76,593
Net loss from discontinued operations	$ (52,709)	$ (24,336)	$ (3,121)
Basic
Continuing operations	$ 4.08	$ 2.62	$ 3.92
Discontinued operations	(3.00)	(1.37)	(0.16)
Total basic	1.08	1.25	3.76
Diluted
Continuing operations	4.03	2.58	3.86
Discontinued operations	(2.97)	(1.35)	(0.15)
Total diluted	$ 1.06	$ 1.23	$ 3.71
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding
Basic	17,546	17,731	19,562
Diluted	17,763	18,011	19,822
Container Lease Revenue [Member]
Revenue
Total revenue	$ 294,013	$ 298,853	$ 284,924