2.2.0.7 false Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) 0110 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) true false In Thousands, except Share data false false 1 USD false false USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 2 USD false false USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 3 USD false false USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 Pure Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance pure xbrli 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ false 4 USD false false USDEPS Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 3 OPERATING REVENUES 1 us-gaap_UtilityRevenueAbstract us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 4 Electric 2 us-gaap_ElectricUtilityRevenue us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 true true false false 2638752000 2638752 false false false 2 true true false false 2195461000 2195461 false false false 3 true true false false 6859791000 6859791 false false false 4 true true false false 6140823000 6140823 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The aggregate revenue, whether regulated or unregulated, derived from the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 false 5 Natural gas 2 us-gaap_GasDomesticRegulatedRevenue us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 27263000 27263 false false false 2 false true false false 24030000 24030 false false false 3 false true false false 154426000 154426 false false false 4 false true false false 126914000 126914 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Revenue derived from the regulated (by a federal, state, or local government or agency) generation, transmission and distribution of [natural] gas. No authoritative reference available. false 6 Competitive businesses 2 us-gaap_CompetitiveEnergyRevenue us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 666161000 666161 false false false 2 false true false false 717604000 717604 false false false 3 false true false false 1940256000 1940256 false false false 4 false true false false 1979259000 1979259 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Revenue from selling electricity supply in a retail access program. No authoritative reference available. true 7 TOTAL 2 us-gaap_UtilityRevenue us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 3332176000 3332176 false false false 2 false true false false 2937095000 2937095 false false false 3 false true false false 8954473000 8954473 false false false 4 false true false false 8246996000 8246996 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The aggregate amount of revenues for public and other utilities generated by the sale of electricity, water, gas, and other services. No authoritative reference available. true 9 Operating and Maintenance: 2 us-gaap_OperatingCostsAndExpensesAbstract us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 10 Fuel, fuel-related expenses, and gas purchased for resale 3 us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseFuelUsed us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 748863000 748863 false false false 2 false true false false 559129000 559129 false false false 3 false true false false 1939077000 1939077 false false false 4 false true false false 1927692000 1927692 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The amount of fuel used charged against earnings for the period. No authoritative reference available. false 11 Purchased power 3 us-gaap_CostOfPurchasedPower us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 484694000 484694 false false false 2 false true false false 388308000 388308 false false false 3 false true false false 1376055000 1376055 false false false 4 false true false false 1034483000 1034483 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Cost of electricity purchased and sold during the reporting period. No authoritative reference available. false 12 Nuclear refueling outage expenses 3 etr_NuclearRefuelingOutageExpenses etr false debit duration Amortization of costs deferred during nuclear refueling outages over the estimated period to the next outage because these... false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 64885000 64885 false false false 2 false true false false 61441000 61441 false false false 3 false true false false 191395000 191395 false false false 4 false true false false 178454000 178454 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Amortization of costs deferred during nuclear refueling outages over the estimated period to the next outage because these refueling outage expenses are incurred to prepare the units to operate for the next operating cycle without having to be taken off line. No authoritative reference available. false 13 Other operation and maintenance 3 us-gaap_UtilitiesOperatingExpenseMaintenanceAndOperations us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 808688000 808688 false false false 2 false true false false 681576000 681576 false false false 3 false true false false 2211382000 2211382 false false false 4 false true false false 2021462000 2021462 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Discloses the amount of operating expense for the period for routine plant maintenance, repairs and operations. No authoritative reference available. false 14 Decommissioning 2 us-gaap_AssetRetirementObligationAccretionExpense us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 53380000 53380 false false false 2 false true false false 50069000 50069 false false false 3 false true false false 157423000 157423 false false false 4 false true false false 148119000 148119 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Amount of accretion expense recognized in the income statement during the period that is associated with asset retirement obligations. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability. Such accretion expense representing changes in the liability for an asset retirement obligation due to passage of time is the result of applying an interest method of allocation to the amount of the liability at the beginning of the period. The interest rate used to measure that change shall be the credit-adjusted risk-free rate that existed when the liability, or portion thereof, was initially measured. That amount shall be recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as an expense classified as an operating item in the statement of income. Accretion expense shall not be considered to be interest cost for purposes of capitalization of interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 143 -Paragraph 13, 14 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 143 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph c(3) false 15 Taxes other than income taxes 2 us-gaap_TaxesExcludingIncomeAndExciseTaxes us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 138217000 138217 false false false 2 false true false false 128851000 128851 false false false 3 false true false false 400597000 400597 false false false 4 false true false false 385649000 385649 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary All taxes not related to income of the entity or excise or sales taxes levied on the revenue of the entity that are not reported elsewhere. These taxes could include production, real estate, personal property, and pump tax. No authoritative reference available. false 16 Depreciation and amortization 2 us-gaap_DepreciationNonproduction us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 264621000 264621 false false false 2 false true false false 280641000 280641 false false false 3 false true false false 789392000 789392 false false false 4 false true false false 799183000 799183 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of nonproduction tangible assets over their useful lives. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 5 false 17 Other regulatory charges (credits) - net 2 etr_OtherRegulatoryChargesCreditsNet etr false debit duration Represents the debit or credit to defer certain costs or revenues because they will be recovered or returned to customers in... false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -1814000 -1814 false false false 2 false true false false -13224000 -13224 false false false 3 false true false false 15555000 15555 false false false 4 false true false false -29371000 -29371 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Represents the debit or credit to defer certain costs or revenues because they will be recovered or returned to customers in the future. No authoritative reference available. true 18 TOTAL 2 us-gaap_OperatingExpenses us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 2561534000 2561534 false false false 2 false true false false 2136791000 2136791 false false false 3 false true false false 7080876000 7080876 false false false 4 false true false false 6465671000 6465671 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Generally recurring costs associated with normal operations except for the portion of these expenses which can be clearly related to production and included in cost of sales or services. Includes selling, general and administrative expense. No authoritative reference available. true 19 OPERATING INCOME 1 us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 770642000 770642 false false false 2 false true false false 800304000 800304 false false false 3 false true false false 1873597000 1873597 false false false 4 false true false false 1781325000 1781325 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No authoritative reference available. true 20 OTHER INCOME (DEDUCTIONS) 1 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpenseAbstract us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 21 Allowance for equity funds used during construction 2 us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedCostOfEquity us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 15064000 15064 false false false 2 false true false false 14770000 14770 false false false 3 false true false false 45990000 45990 false false false 4 false true false false 47499000 47499 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The component of the allowance for funds used during construction during the period based on an assumed rate of return on equity funds used in financing the construction of regulated assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 71 -Paragraph 15 false 22 Interest and dividend income 2 us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterestAndDividend us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 38911000 38911 false false false 2 false true false false 64730000 64730 false false false 3 false true false false 123124000 123124 false false false 4 false true false false 170007000 170007 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Income derived from investments in debt and equity securities and on cash and cash equivalents. Interest income represents earnings which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money. Dividend income represents a distribution of earnings to shareholders by investee companies. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 14 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Subparagraph a, b -Article 5 false 23 Other than temporary impairment losses 2 us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false -206000 -206 false false false 2 false true false false -457000 -457 false false false 3 false true false false -1255000 -1255 false false false 4 false true false false -85396000 -85396 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary This element represents the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the investment. The amount is charged to income if the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 false 24 Miscellaneous - net 2 us-gaap_OtherNonoperatingIncomeExpense us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -14748000 -14748 false false false 2 false true false false 5739000 5739 false false false 3 false true false false -32050000 -32050 false false false 4 false true false false -20910000 -20910 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The net amount of other nonoperating income and expense, which does not qualify for separate disclosure on the income statement under materiality guidelines. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 9 -Article 5 true 25 TOTAL 2 us-gaap_NonoperatingIncomeExpense us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 39021000 39021 false false false 2 false true false false 84782000 84782 false false false 3 false true false false 135809000 135809 false false false 4 false true false false 111200000 111200 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The aggregate amount of income (expense) from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 true 26 INTEREST AND OTHER CHARGES 1 us-gaap_InterestExpenseAbstract us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 27 Interest on long-term debt 2 us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 126078000 126078 false false false 2 false true false false 130132000 130132 false false false 3 false true false false 420314000 420314 false false false 4 false true false false 383255000 383255 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Represents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 8 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 false 28 Other interest - net 2 us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false true negated false 1 false true false false 9997000 9997 false false false 2 false true false false 22625000 22625 false false false 3 false true false false 43140000 43140 false false false 4 false true false false 69406000 69406 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Amount of net interest income or expense derived from banking operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 10 -Article 9 false 29 Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction 2 us-gaap_PublicUtilitiesAllowanceForFundsUsedDuringConstructionCapitalizedInterest us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false -8949000 -8949 false false false 2 false true false false -8252000 -8252 false false false 3 false true false false -27274000 -27274 false false false 4 false true false false -26547000 -26547 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The component of the allowance for funds used during construction during the period comprised of interest on borrowed funds used in financing the construction of regulated assets, which may be reflected as a reduction of interest expense. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 71 -Paragraph 15 true 30 TOTAL 2 us-gaap_InterestExpense us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 127126000 127126 false false false 2 false true false false 144505000 144505 false false false 3 false true false false 436180000 436180 false false false 4 false true false false 426114000 426114 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 34 -Paragraph 21 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher OTS -Name Federal Regulation (FR) -Number Title 12 -Chapter V -Section 563c.102 -Paragraph 9 -Subsection II Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 9 -Article 9 true 31 INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 682537000 682537 false false false 2 false true false false 740581000 740581 false false false 3 false true false false 1573226000 1573226 false false false 4 false true false false 1466411000 1466411 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income (expense) before income (loss) from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, and noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Subparagraph 1(i) -Article 4 false 32 Income taxes 1 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 184636000 184636 false false false 2 false true false false 280414000 280414 false false false 3 false true false false 536227000 536227 false false false 4 false true false false 534101000 534101 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The sum of the current income tax expense (benefit) and the deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a, b true 33 CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME 1 us-gaap_ProfitLoss us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 497901000 497901 false false false 2 false true false false 460167000 460167 false false false 3 false true false false 1036999000 1036999 [1] false false false 4 false true false false 932310000 932310 [1] false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A1, A4, A5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 29 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) false 34 Preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries 1 us-gaap_MinorityInterestInNetIncomeLossPreferredUnitHolders us-gaap true debit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 false true false false 5015000 5015 false false false 2 false true false false 4998000 4998 false false false 3 false true false false 15048000 15048 false false false 4 false true false false 14993000 14993 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary Amount of net income (loss) for the period allocated to noncontrolling preferred unit holders in an entity included in the reporting entity's consolidated financial statements. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(1) true 35 NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ENTERGY CORPORATION 1 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss us-gaap true credit duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false totallabel false 1 true true false false 492886000 492886 false false false 2 true true false false 455169000 455169 false false false 3 true true false false 1021951000 1021951 false false false 4 true true false false 917317000 917317 false false false xbrli:monetaryItemType monetary The portion of consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. If the entity does not present consolidated financial statements, the amount of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph d Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph A7 -Appendix A Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph a Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 20 -Article 9 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 10, 15 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 87-21 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28, 29, 30 true 36 Earnings per average common share: 1 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareAbstract us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false 2 false false false false 0 0 false false false 3 false false false false 0 0 false false false 4 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 37 Basic 2 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 2.65 2.65 false false false 2 true true false false 2.35 2.35 false false false 3 true true false false 5.44 5.44 false false false 4 true true false false 4.73 4.73 false false false us-types:perShareItemType decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 21 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 36, 37, 38 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 18 -Article 7 false 38 Diluted 2 us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 2.62 2.62 false false false 2 true true false false 2.32 2.32 false false false 3 true true false false 5.38 5.38 false false false 4 true true false false 4.66 4.66 false false false us-types:perShareItemType decimal The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock and dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 11, 12, 36 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 20 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 18 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 21 -Article 9 false 39 Dividends declared per common share 1 us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel true 1 true true false false 0.83 0.83 false false false 2 true true false false 0.75 0.75 false false false 3 true true false false 2.41 2.41 false false false 4 true true false false 2.25 2.25 false false false us-types:perShareItemType decimal Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 false 40 Basic average number of common shares outstanding 1 us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfSharesOutstandingBasic us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 185962431 185962431 false false false 2 false true false false 193424904 193424904 false false false 3 false true false false 187968582 187968582 false false false 4 false true false false 194044214 194044214 false false false xbrli:sharesItemType shares Number of [basic] shares, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares and other shares not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 171 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph a Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 8 false 41 Diluted average number of common shares outstanding 1 us-gaap_WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false verboselabel false 1 false true false false 187777172 187777172 false false false 2 false true false false 195875241 195875241 false false false 3 false true false false 189914439 189914439 false false false 4 false true false false 197382562 197382562 false false false xbrli:sharesItemType shares The average number of shares issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS, determined based on the timing of issuance of shares in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 40 -Subparagraph a Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 128 -Paragraph 8 false 1 Consolidated net income and preferred dividend requirements of subsidiaries for both 2009 and 2010 include $9.2 million of preferred dividends on subsidiaries' preferred stock without sinking fund that is not presented as equity 4 38 false Thousands NoRounding NoRounding false true