Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

15.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

From time-to-time, we are a party to ordinary, routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, most of which involves claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in connection with the transportation of freight. We maintain insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, our potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

We had $38.9 million and $44.7 million of outstanding and undrawn letters of credit as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The letters of credit are maintained primarily to support our insurance programs.

We had commitments outstanding at December 31, 2011, to acquire revenue equipment totaling approximately $55.0 million in 2012 versus commitments at December 31, 2010 of approximately $112.5 million. These commitments are cancelable, subject to certain adjustments in the underlying obligations and benefits. These purchase commitments are expected to be financed by operating leases, capital leases, long-term debt, proceeds from sales of existing equipment, and/or cash flows from operations. Additionally, 2012 purchase obligations include $1.0 million of earn-out payments related to our investment in TEL to be paid in 2012 related to 2011 performance. We also had commitments outstanding at December 31, 2011, to acquire computer software totaling $0.4 million in 2013.