Note 1. Principal Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Organization

Con-way Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Con-way") provide transportation, logistics and supply-chain management services for a wide range of manufacturing, industrial and retail customers. Con-way’s business units operate in regional, inter-regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload and full-truckload freight transportation, contract logistics and supply-chain management, multimodal freight brokerage, and trailer manufacturing. As more fully discussed in Note 3, "Segment Reporting," for financial reporting purposes, Con-way is divided into three reporting segments: Freight, Logistics and Truckload.

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

These unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, and should be read in conjunction with Con-way’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been reduced or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly Con-way’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Earnings per Share ("EPS")

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	2015		2014
Numerator:
Net income	$	21,792	$	12,893
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Basic	57,634,382		56,957,433
Stock options and nonvested stock	587,784		582,635
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - Diluted	58,222,166		57,540,068
Diluted EPS	$	0.37	$	0.22
Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS	287,050		899,241

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." This ASU, codified in the "Revenue Recognition" topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, requires revenue to be recognized upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires disclosures sufficient to describe the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from these customer contracts. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016 and can be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized on the date of adoption. In April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date for this ASU which, if approved, will become effective for fiscal years, and the interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. If the one-year deferral is approved, Con-way plans to adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2018. Con-way is currently evaluating the method of application and the potential impact on the financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." This ASU, codified in the "Interest - Imputation of Interest" topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, reduces the complexity of the balance sheet presentation for debt-related disclosures. Under this ASU, debt issuance costs will be recognized as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, rather than an asset. The accounting guidance in ASU 2015-03 will be applied retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Con-way plans to adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2016. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Con-way had $4.0 million and $4.1 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs related to its 7.25% Senior Notes due 2018 and 6.70% Senior Debentures due 2034. In accordance with the guidance, Con-way would reclassify these costs from deferred charges and other assets to long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.