OPERATING SEGMENT DATA (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	$ 577,904	$ 520,687
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(214)	(212)
Pension settlement expense	3,691
Operating expenses and costs	586,606	544,037
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	(8,702)	(23,350)
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and dividend income	190	171
Interest expense and other related financing costs	(808)	(1,207)
Other, net	365	1,083
TOTAL OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)	(253)	47
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(8,955)	(23,303)
Operating Segments | Freight Transportation (ABF Freight)
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	428,871	407,281
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Salaries, wages, and benefits	261,154	267,178
Fuel, supplies, and expenses	90,791	83,332
Operating taxes and licenses	11,493	10,990
Insurance	5,395	4,484
Communications and utilities	4,242	3,933
Depreciation and amortization	16,338	19,574
Rents and purchased transportation	47,420	38,469
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(203)	(212)
Pension settlement expense	2,890
Other	1,535	2,082
Operating expenses and costs	441,055	429,830
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	(12,184)	(22,549)
Operating Segments | Premium Logistics (Panther)
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	72,226	53,252
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Purchased transportation	54,573	41,036
Depreciation and amortization	2,737	2,550
Salaries, benefits, insurance, and other	11,552	10,530
Operating expenses and costs	68,862	54,116
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	3,364	(864)
Operating Segments | Emergency and Preventative Maintenance (FleetNet)
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	41,699	32,522
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs	40,298	31,811
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	1,401	711
Operating Segments | Transportation Management (ABF Logistics)
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	29,717	21,618
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs	29,182	21,100
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	535	518
Operating Segments | Household Goods Moving Services (ABF Moving)
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	14,750	13,576
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs	15,591	13,807
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	(841)	(231)
Other and eliminations
OPERATING REVENUES
Operating revenues	(9,359)	(7,562)
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS
Operating expenses and costs	(8,382)	(6,627)
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
Operating income (loss)	$ (977)	$ (935)