Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net loss	$ (10,777)	$ (3,308)	$ (7,177)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,263	49,754	50,152
Provision for doubtful accounts	59	241	313
Deferred income taxes	(4,957)	38	8,265
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	(6)	(8)
Stock based compensation	16	236	567
Gain on disposal of assets	(3,615)	(320)	(7)
Recognition of deferred gain	(6)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(9,017)	362	(10,041)
Inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets	(332)	(5,493)	(3,549)
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,456	7,366	508
Insurance and claims accruals	578	(623)	(6,180)
Net cash provided by operating activities	23,662	48,245	32,851
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(44,449)	(43,236)	(37,325)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	23,070	13,678	13,335
Change in other assets	(31)	49	(105)
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,410)	(29,509)	(24,095)
Financing activities
Borrowings under long-term debt	121,988	61,183	66,502
Principal payments on long-term debt	(103,088)	(58,001)	(52,984)
Principal payments on capitalized lease obligations	(20,578)	(17,378)	(22,965)
Principal payments on note payable	(1,465)	(1,350)	(1,622)
Net increase (decrease) in bank drafts payable	811	(1,445)	1,178
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	6	8
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	7	176	391
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,319)	(16,807)	(9,500)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(67)	1,929	(744)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	2,726	797	1,541
End of period	2,659	2,726	797
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	3,423	3,331	3,013
Income taxes			2,082
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Liability incurred for leases on revenue equipment	21,235	10,135	15,704
Liability incurred for note payable	1,826	1,344	1,352
Long term note receivable on facility sale		2,050
Deferred gain on facility sale	612	618
Purchases of revenue equipment included in accounts payable	3,744
Deferred Gain [Member]
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Deferred gain on facility sale		$ 683