Note 9 - Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Notes Tables

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2016			2015		2014
Federal, current	$	11,951		$	124	$	(94	)
Federal, deferred		(2,925	)		18,185		12,830
State, current		1,811			426		187
State, deferred		(451	)		3,087		1,851
	$	10,386		$	21,822	$	14,774

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2016			2015			2014
Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	9,527		$	22,368		$	11,404
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect		953			2,237			1,075
Per diem allowances		2,205			2,329			2,304
Tax contingency accruals		(273	)		1,599			(104	)
Valuation allowance, net		-			218			18
Tax credits		(694	)		(7,151	)		(112	)
Other, net		(1,332	)		222			189
Actual income tax expense	$	10,386		$	21,822		$	14,774

Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]

(in thousands)	2016			2015
Deferred tax assets:
Insurance and claims	$	15,147		$	15,495
Net operating loss carryovers		3,326			15,348
Tax credits		6,409			10,585
Other		5,113			4,730
Deferred fuel hedge		1,653			10,947
Valuation allowance		(1,219	)		(1,219	)
Total deferred tax assets		30,429			55,886
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(98,679	)		(125,188	)
Other		(11,121	)		(4,398	)
Prepaid expenses		(4,786	)		(3,281	)
Total net deferred tax liabilities		(114,586	)		(132,867	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(84,157	)	$	(76,981	)

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

	2016			2015			2014
Balance as of January 1,	$	2,394		$	995		$	1,060
Increases related to prior year tax positions		-			1,737			246
Decreases related to prior year positions		-			-			-
Increases related to current year tax positions		-			-			42
Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities		(88	)		(182	)		(126	)
Decreases related to lapsing of statute of limitations		(255	)		(156	)		(227	)
Balance as of December 31,	$	2,051		$	2,394		$	995