Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Freight revenue	$ 512,026	$ 546,320	$ 520,495
Fuel surcharge revenue	140,601	103,429	68,192
Total revenue	652,627	649,749	588,687
Salaries, wages, and related expenses	211,169	216,316	220,213
Fuel expense	208,693	177,239	143,835
Operations and maintenance	43,585	42,050	40,833
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation	63,353	71,474	76,484
Operating taxes and licenses	12,148	11,090	12,113
Insurance and claims	36,163	32,648	26,531
Communications and utilities	5,137	4,974	5,740
General supplies and expenses	15,627	16,143	19,538
Depreciation and amortization, including gains and losses on disposition of equipment	46,274	51,807	48,122
Goodwill impairment	11,539
Total operating expenses	653,688	623,741	593,409
Operating (loss) income	(1,061)	26,008	(4,722)
Interest expense	16,208	16,566	14,184
Interest income	(32)	(2)	(144)
Loss on sale of Transplace investment and note receivable			11,485
Other	(123)	(20)	(199)
Other expenses, net	16,053	16,544	25,326
Equity in income of affiliate	675
(Loss) income (loss) before income taxes	(16,439)	9,464	(30,048)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(2,172)	6,175	(5,018)
Net (loss) income	$ (14,267)	$ 3,289	$ (25,030)
Basic (loss) income per share: (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.97)	$ 0.23	$ (1.77)
Diluted (loss) income per share: (in Dollars per share)	$ (0.97)	$ 0.23	$ (1.77)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares)	14,689	14,374	14,124
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in Shares)	14,689	14,505	14,124