Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total operating revenue	$ 102,834	$ 93,870	$ 296,270	$ 274,669
Operating expenses
Salaries, wages and related expenses	31,766	30,243	90,868	87,288
Purchased transportation	18,357	18,132	51,856	55,972
Fuel	25,854	18,469	73,654	51,782
Supplies and maintenance	15,710	13,447	42,561	36,010
Revenue equipment rent	9,200	9,353	26,553	27,116
Depreciation	4,827	4,216	13,875	12,114
Communications and utilities	1,171	1,287	3,518	3,658
Claims and insurance	7,476	3,486	13,204	10,764
Operating taxes and licenses	985	1,003	3,089	3,209
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(661)	(12)	(1,234)	(592)
Miscellaneous	1,626	1,109	4,352	3,101
Total operating expenses	116,311	100,733	322,296	290,422
Loss from operations	(13,477)	(6,863)	(26,026)	(15,753)
Interest and other expense (income)
Interest income		(15)		(30)
Interest expense	247	105	479	308
Equity in earnings of limited partnership	(192)	(246)	(551)	(443)
Life insurance and other	63	(43)	432	84
Total interest and other expense (income)	118	(199)	360	(81)
Loss before income taxes	(13,595)	(6,664)	(26,386)	(15,672)
Income tax expense (benefit)	73	(4,383)	(1,476)	(5,241)
Net loss	$ (13,668)	$ (2,281)	$ (24,910)	$ (10,431)
Net loss per share of common stock
Basic	$ (0.77)	$ (0.13)	$ (1.42)	$ (0.61)
Diluted	$ (0.77)	$ (0.13)	$ (1.42)	$ (0.61)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	17,663	17,384	17,557	17,223
Diluted	17,663	17,384	17,557	17,223