Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues, net	$ 634,098	$ 804,228	$ 836,270
Expenses:
Direct expenses	592,550	687,050	670,007
Selling, general and administrative expenses	44,418	46,422	43,171
Total operating expenses	636,968	733,472	713,178
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets, net	(3,350)	339	848
Impairments of assets	407		10,508
Equity in (profit) loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(151)	306	96
Operating income	224	70,111	111,640
Interest expense	30,644	29,066	29,510
Loss on debt extinguishment			29,833
Other income, net	(3,271)	(2,211)	(818)
Total expenses	27,373	26,855	58,525
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(27,149)	43,256	53,115
Income tax (benefit) expense	(469)	16,332	20,427
Net (loss) earnings	$ (26,680)	$ 26,924	$ 32,688
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic	$ (1.70)	$ 1.73	$ 2.11
Diluted	$ (1.70)	$ 1.72	$ 2.08
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	15,663	15,566	15,483
Diluted	15,663	15,642	15,685