OPERATING SEGMENT DATA (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	$ 537,042	$ 577,546	$ 510,543	$ 440,867	$ 463,241	$ 510,887	$ 498,550	$ 434,931	$ 2,065,999	$ 1,907,609	$ 1,657,864
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Gain on sale of property and equipment									(735)	(2,360)	(981)
Pension settlement expense										1,125	178
Operating expenses and costs	548,058	565,313	503,342	463,854	461,606	489,769	489,552	456,923	2,080,567	1,897,850	1,712,409
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	(11,016)	12,233	7,201	(22,987)	1,635	21,118	8,998	(21,992)	(14,568)	9,759	(54,545)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income									808	1,069	1,194
Interest expense and other related financing costs									(5,273)	(3,953)	(2,852)
Other, net									2,041	2,618	2,406
Other income (expense), net	(1,300)	(457)	(1,117)	451	299	(2,045)	(378)	1,859	(2,424)	(266)	748
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES									(16,992)	9,493	(53,797)
Freight Transportation
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OPERATING SEGMENT DATA AND OPERATING RATIOS
Minimum percentage of cities in the United States to which direct service is provided									98.00%
Minimum population of cities in the United States to which direct service is provided									30,000
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues									1,725,134	1,730,773	1,514,108
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Salaries, wages, and benefits									1,073,205	1,061,213	1,004,267
Fuel, supplies, and expenses									330,063	333,779	262,420
Operating taxes and licenses									43,337	45,469	43,539
Insurance									20,751	24,490	18,745
Communications and utilities									14,733	15,118	14,655
Depreciation and amortization									78,748	70,810	68,695
Rents and purchased transportation									176,977	169,212	154,119
Gain on sale of property and equipment									(711)	(2,370)	(1,338)
Pension settlement expense										1,125	178
Other									7,441	8,318	8,568
Operating expenses and costs									1,744,544	1,727,164	1,573,848
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)									(19,410)	3,609	(59,740)
Premium Logistics and Expedited Freight Services
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues									132,326
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Purchased transportation									101,559
Depreciation and amortization									5,438
Salaries, benefits, insurance, and other									22,927
Operating expenses and costs									129,924
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)									2,402
Truck Brokerage and Management
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues									42,710	25,429	19,241
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs									40,087	23,539	17,868
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)									2,623	1,890	1,373
Emergency and Preventative Maintenance
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues									115,968	92,554	74,927
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs									114,033	89,572	72,208
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)									1,935	2,982	2,719
Household Goods Moving Services
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues									77,619	85,611	63,733
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs									76,927	82,893	62,014
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)									692	2,718	1,719
Other and eliminations
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues									(27,758)	(26,758)	(14,145)
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs									(24,948)	(25,318)	(13,529)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)									$ (2,810)	$ (1,440)	$ (616)