Note 2 - Segment Reporting (Detail) - Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Base revenue
Base revenue									$ 408,719	$ 411,026
Fuel surcharge revenue
Fuel surcharge revenue									103,709	108,382
Total revenue	134,771	124,416	129,569	123,673	126,202	130,137	139,027	124,042	512,428	519,408
Operating (loss) income
Operating loss	(3,781)	(8,525)	(4,329)	(6,636)	(5,819)	(5,859)	2,212	(3,182)	(23,272)	(12,649)
Total Assets
Total Assets	331,494				336,191				331,494	336,191
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization									45,058	49,263
Trucking [Member]
Base revenue
Base revenue									297,624	321,283
Fuel surcharge revenue
Fuel surcharge revenue									83,920	86,869
Operating (loss) income
Operating loss									(29,848)	(18,762)
Total Assets
Total Assets	218,145				231,776				218,145	231,776
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization									42,165	46,307
SCS [Member]
Base revenue
Base revenue									109,525	78,105
Fuel surcharge revenue
Fuel surcharge revenue									18,610	15,013
Operating (loss) income
Operating loss									7,788	7,100
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization									121	77
Intermodal [Member]
Base revenue
Base revenue									21,802	24,396
Fuel surcharge revenue
Fuel surcharge revenue									6,413	8,082
Operating (loss) income
Operating loss									(1,212)	(987)
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization									379	441
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Base revenue
Base revenue									(20,232)	(12,758)
Fuel surcharge revenue
Fuel surcharge revenue									(5,234)	(1,582)
Corporate and Other [Member]
Total Assets
Total Assets	113,349				104,415				113,349	104,415
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization									$ 2,393	$ 2,438