Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Total operating revenue	$ 388,461	$ 368,822	$ 373,051
Operating expenses
Salaries, wages and related expenses	120,834	117,134	122,141
Purchased transportation	72,682	72,297	81,363
Fuel	93,217	71,566	62,655
Supplies and maintenance	56,410	47,886	47,347
Revenue equipment rent	36,590	35,847	38,721
Depreciation	17,781	16,322	17,550
Communications and utilities	4,682	4,975	5,145
Claims and insurance	20,553	13,017	15,305
Operating taxes and licenses	4,150	4,162	4,648
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(5,741)	(1,103)	(136)
Miscellaneous	5,540	4,389	3,225
Total operating expenses	426,698	386,492	397,964
Loss from operations	(38,237)	(17,670)	(24,913)
Interest and other expense (income)
Interest income	0	(32)	(6)
Interest expense	844	470	30
Equity in earnings of limited partnership	(914)	(816)	(739)
Life insurance and other	621	209	697
Total interest and other (income) expense	551	(169)	(18)
Loss before income taxes	(38,788)	(17,501)	(24,895)
Income tax benefit	(2,118)	(5,571)	(8,480)
Net loss	$ (36,670)	$ (11,930)	$ (16,415)
Net loss per share of common stock
Basic	$ (2.08)	$ (0.69)	$ (0.96)
Diluted	$ (2.08)	$ (0.69)	$ (0.96)
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	17,589	17,275	17,080
Diluted	17,589	17,275	17,080
Dividends declared per common share			$ 0.03