Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

10.  Commitments and contingencies

The Company has revenue equipment leases expiring at various dates through July 2017 and various properties under non-cancelable agreements expiring through May 2024.  The aggregate future minimum rentals under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2011 were as follows:

	(in thousands)
Year Due	Amount Due
2012	$	35,095
2013		26,315
2014		17,741
2015		9,182
2016		4,874
Thereafter		12,066
Total Due	$	105,273

Rent expense for revenue equipment and various properties for 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $39.4 million, $­­­37.9 million and $40.4 million, respectively.   As of December 31, 2011, we had partially guaranteed the residual value of certain leased tractors totaling $22.5 million pursuant to leases with remaining lease terms that range from five months to 37 months. Our estimates of the fair market values and our pre-arranged trade-in values based upon future purchases of such tractors exceed the guaranteed values. Consequently, no provision has been made for any losses related to such guarantees.  In general, the equipment lease renewal terms include month-to-month extensions of the regular lease terms, purchase options at fair market value or an early buy-out option on certain tractor leases.  These lease agreements require us to pay personal property taxes, maintenance, and operating expenses.

The Company is involved in legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business.  Although the outcomes of any such legal actions cannot be predicted, in the opinion of management, the resolution of any currently pending or threatened actions will not have a material adverse effect upon our financial position or results of operations.

The Company accrues for costs related to public liability, cargo, employee health insurance and work-related injury claims. When a loss occurs, we record a reserve for the estimated outcome. As additional information becomes available, adjustments are made. Accrued claims liabilities include all such reserves and our estimate for incidents that have been incurred but not reported.