Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Operating revenues, net	$ 539,626	$ 516,935	$ 487,175
(Loss) gain on disposition of assets, net	(302)	239	111
Other, principally interest income	845	178	225
Total	540,169	517,352	487,511
Expenses:
Direct expenses	469,740	443,702	418,627
Selling, general and administrative expenses	34,369	30,147	31,006
Interest expense	27,974	19,389	16,037
Loss on debt restructuring		9,521
Total expenses	532,083	502,759	465,670
Earnings before income taxes	8,086	14,593	21,841
Income tax expense	3,234	7,476	8,873
Net earnings	$ 4,852	$ 7,117	$ 12,968
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.32	$ 0.46	$ 0.85
Diluted	$ 0.31	$ 0.46	$ 0.85
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	15,312	15,312	15,307
Diluted	15,497	15,337	15,307