Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Service Contracts Con-way has agreements with third-party service providers to perform certain information-technology, administrative and accounting services. The payments under the terms of the agreements are subject to change depending on the quantities and types of services consumed. The contracts also contain provisions that allow Con-way to terminate the contract at any time; however, Con-way would be required to pay fees if termination is for causes other than the failure of the service providers to perform. California Wage and Hour Con-way is a defendant in several class-action lawsuits alleging violations of the state of California's wage and hour laws. Plaintiffs allege that Con-way failed to pay certain drivers for all compensable time and that certain other drivers were not provided with required meal breaks and rest breaks. Plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified monetary damages, penalties, interest and attorneys' fees. The two primary cases are Jorge R. Quezada v. Con-way Inc., dba Con-way Freight, (the "Quezada" case), and Jose Alberto Fonseca Pina, et al. v. Con-way Freight Inc., et al. (the "Pina" case). The Quezada case was initially filed in February 2009 in San Mateo County Superior Court, and was removed to the U.S. District Court of California, Northern District. The Pina case was initially filed in November 2009 in Monterey County Superior Court and was removed to the U.S. District Court of California, Northern District. By agreement of the parties, in March 2010, the Pina case and the Quezada case were deemed related and transferred to the same judge. On April 12, 2012, the Court granted plaintiff's request for class certification in the Pina case as to a limited number of issues. On October 15, 2012, the Court granted plaintiffs' request for class certification in the Quezada case and granted summary judgment as to certain issues. The class certification rulings do not address whether Con-way will ultimately be held liable. Con-way continues to challenge the certification of the class in both cases, and further contends that plaintiffs' claims are preempted by federal law and not substantiated by the facts. Con-way has denied any liability with respect to these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in these cases. There are multiple factors that prevent Con-way from being able to estimate the amount of potential loss, if any, in excess of its accrued liability that may result from this matter, including: (1) Con-way is vigorously defending itself and believes that it has a number of meritorious legal defenses; and (2) at this early stage in the cases, there are unresolved questions of fact that could be important to the resolution of these matters. Accordingly, Con-way cannot estimate the amount or range of potential loss, if any, in excess of its accrued liability. Unclaimed-Property Audits Con-way is currently being audited by eight states, primarily the State of Delaware, for compliance with unclaimed-property laws. The property subject to review in this audit process generally includes unclaimed securities and unclaimed payments and refunds to employees, vendors and customers. State and federal escheat laws generally require companies to report and remit unclaimed property to the states. Con-way believes it has procedures in place to comply with these laws. The audits of Con-way securities were completed in the third quarter of 2013 with no material findings and the remaining audits will continue into 2014. Given the current stage of the remaining audits, Con-way cannot estimate the amount or range of potential loss. Other Con-way is a defendant in various other lawsuits incidental to its businesses. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on Con-way’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Commitments and Contingencies

Service Contracts

Con-way has agreements with third-party service providers to perform certain information-technology, administrative and accounting services. The payments under the terms of the agreements are subject to change depending on the quantities and types of services consumed. The contracts also contain provisions that allow Con-way to terminate the contract at any time; however, Con-way would be required to pay fees if termination is for causes other than the failure of the service providers to perform.

California Wage and Hour

Con-way is a defendant in several class-action lawsuits alleging violations of the state of California's wage and hour laws. Plaintiffs allege that Con-way failed to pay certain drivers for all compensable time and that certain other drivers were not provided with required meal breaks and rest breaks. Plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified monetary damages, penalties, interest and attorneys' fees. The two primary cases are Jorge R. Quezada v. Con-way Inc., dba Con-way Freight, (the "Quezada" case), and Jose Alberto Fonseca Pina, et al. v. Con-way Freight Inc., et al. (the "Pina" case). The Quezada case was initially filed in February 2009 in San Mateo County Superior Court, and was removed to the U.S. District Court of California, Northern District. The Pina case was initially filed in November 2009 in Monterey County Superior Court and was removed to the U.S. District Court of California, Northern District. By agreement of the parties, in March 2010, the Pina case and the Quezada case were deemed related and transferred to the same judge. On April 12, 2012, the Court granted plaintiff's request for class certification in the Pina case as to a limited number of issues. On October 15, 2012, the Court granted plaintiffs' request for class certification in the Quezada case and granted summary judgment as to certain issues. The class certification rulings do not address whether Con-way will ultimately be held liable.

Con-way continues to challenge the certification of the class in both cases, and further contends that plaintiffs' claims are preempted by federal law and not substantiated by the facts. Con-way has denied any liability with respect to these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in these cases. There are multiple factors that prevent Con-way from being able to estimate the amount of potential loss, if any, in excess of its accrued liability that may result from this matter, including: (1) Con-way is vigorously defending itself and believes that it has a number of meritorious legal defenses; and (2) at this early stage in the cases, there are unresolved questions of fact that could be important to the resolution of these matters. Accordingly, Con-way cannot estimate the amount or range of potential loss, if any, in excess of its accrued liability.

Unclaimed-Property Audits

Con-way is currently being audited by eight states, primarily the State of Delaware, for compliance with unclaimed-property laws. The property subject to review in this audit process generally includes unclaimed securities and unclaimed payments and refunds to employees, vendors and customers. State and federal escheat laws generally require companies to report and remit unclaimed property to the states. Con-way believes it has procedures in place to comply with these laws. The audits of Con-way securities were completed in the third quarter of 2013 with no material findings and the remaining audits will continue into 2014. Given the current stage of the remaining audits, Con-way cannot estimate the amount or range of potential loss.

Other

Con-way is a defendant in various other lawsuits incidental to its businesses. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on Con-way’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.