Con-way (CNW) 10-Q 30 Oct 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float		$1,658,974,756
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Entity Registrant Name	Con-way Inc.
Trading Symbol	cnw
Entity Central Index Key	23675
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	56,890,911

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$478,120	$429,784
Marketable securities	0	3,200
Trade accounts receivable, net	597,896	567,097
Other accounts receivable	55,659	43,912
Operating supplies, at lower of average cost or market	25,010	23,180
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	42,720	49,681
Deferred income taxes	16,147	34,520
Total Current Assets	1,215,552	1,151,374
Property, Plant and Equipment
Land	194,539	195,737
Buildings and leasehold improvements	851,365	840,966
Revenue equipment	1,800,885	1,746,816
Other equipment	339,997	329,730
Total Property, Plant and Equipment	3,186,786	3,113,249
Accumulated depreciation	-1,572,515	-1,526,648
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	1,614,271	1,586,601
Other Assets
Deferred charges and other assets	32,572	33,963
Capitalized software, net	19,727	20,365
Employee benefits	11,999	10,951
Intangible assets, net	9,229	10,997
Goodwill	337,866	338,164
Total Noncurrent Assets	411,393	414,440
Total Assets	3,241,216	3,152,415
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable	360,987	330,665
Accrued liabilities	244,180	253,209
Self-insurance accruals	107,232	100,828
Short-term borrowings	2,047	6,982
Current maturities of capital leases	14,668	16,008
Total Current Liabilities	729,114	707,692
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt	719,120	719,016
Long-term obligations under capital leases	23,693	30,355
Self-insurance accruals	144,484	143,735
Employee benefits	524,852	603,619
Other liabilities and deferred credits	41,009	32,201
Deferred income taxes	114,990	77,412
Total Liabilities	2,297,262	2,314,030
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 8 and 10)
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, $0.625 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued 64,559,832 and 63,565,453 shares, respectively	40,328	39,701
Additional paid-in capital, common stock	647,639	614,334
Retained earnings	1,031,777	966,939
Cost of repurchased common stock (7,668,921 and 7,583,471 shares, respectively)	-329,047	-326,128
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-446,743	-456,461
Total Shareholders' Equity	943,954	838,385
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$3,241,216	$3,152,415

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$0.63	$0.63
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	64,559,832	63,565,453
Repurchased common stock, shares	7,668,921	7,583,471

Statements_Of_Consolidated_Inc

Statements Of Consolidated Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$1,398,021	$1,404,113	$4,115,555	$4,216,370
Costs and Expenses
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	541,373	534,011	1,598,770	1,601,105
Purchased transportation	327,691	384,312	1,005,235	1,152,563
Other operating expenses	162,736	145,660	467,550	420,704
Fuel and fuel-related taxes	133,093	136,011	406,052	420,196
Depreciation and amortization	58,911	55,403	172,074	160,687
Purchased labor	38,750	29,956	100,777	84,999
Rents and leases	33,778	29,654	94,764	86,596
Maintenance	34,014	33,893	94,760	98,474
Costs and Expenses	1,330,346	1,348,900	3,939,982	4,025,324
Operating Income	67,675	55,213	175,573	191,046
Other Income (Expense)
Investment income	150	204	473	648
Interest expense	-13,395	-13,667	-40,559	-41,199
Miscellaneous, net	-1,052	-592	-2,485	-3,218
Total Other Expense	-14,297	-14,055	-42,571	-43,769
Income before Income Tax Provision	53,378	41,158	133,002	147,277
Income Tax Provision	22,821	15,854	45,543	54,527
Net Income	$30,557	$25,304	$87,459	$92,750
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic	56,714,423	55,906,636	56,390,621	55,806,937
Diluted	57,362,834	56,463,535	57,065,146	56,432,216
Earnings per Common Share
Basic	$0.54	$0.45	$1.55	$1.66
Diluted	$0.53	$0.45	$1.53	$1.64

Statements_Of_Consolidated_Com

Statements Of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$30,557	$25,304	$87,459	$92,750
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	305	674	563	-52
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale security, net of deferred tax of $0, $182, $0 and $145, respectively	0	283	0	226
Employee benefit plans
Net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit expense or income, net of deferred tax of $1,892, $1,988, $5,672 and $5,982, respectively	2,956	3,110	8,871	9,355
Amortization of prior service cost or credit included in net periodic benefit expense or income, net of deferred tax of $61, $116, $184 and $349, respectively	95	-182	284	-545
Employee benefit plans	3,051	2,928	9,155	8,810
Total Other Comprehensive Income	3,356	3,885	9,718	8,984
Comprehensive Income	$33,913	$29,189	$97,177	$101,734

Statements_Of_Consolidated_Com1

Statements Of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale security, net of deferred tax	$0	$182	$0	$145
Net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit expense or income, net of deferred tax	1,892	1,988	5,672	5,982
Amortization of prior service cost or credit included in net periodic benefit expense or income, net of deferred tax	$61	($116)	$184	($349)

Statements_Of_Consolidated_Cas

Statements Of Consolidated Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	$429,784	$438,010
Operating Activities
Net Income	87,459	92,750
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion	171,426	159,936
Non-cash compensation and employee benefits	27,797	25,299
Increase in deferred income taxes	46,784	57,102
Provision for uncollectible accounts	5,045	3,267
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net	-6,169	-8,015
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	-34,563	-54,586
Prepaid expenses	14,334	9,805
Accounts payable	21,044	8,716
Accrued variable compensation	-22,896	-4,742
Accrued liabilities, excluding accrued variable compensation and employee benefits	29,675	25,153
Self-insurance accruals	758	-10,042
Accrued income taxes	-7,344	-8,949
Employee benefits	-78,540	-55,865
Other	4,853	-10,126
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	259,663	229,703
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	-212,549	-213,217
Software expenditures	-4,716	-5,743
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	12,239	19,385
Purchases of marketable securities	0	-8,200
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	3,200	23,613
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-201,826	-184,162
Financing Activities
Payment of capital leases	-9,598	-25,868
Repayments of short-term borrowings	-4,673	-3,891
Payment of debt issuance costs	-543	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	19,757	3,357
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	2,486	1,632
Payments of common dividends	-16,930	-16,760
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	-9,501	-41,530
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	48,336	4,011
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	478,120	442,021
Supplemental Disclosure
Cash paid for income taxes, net	3,692	7,260
Cash paid for interest	42,349	43,105
Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Revenue equipment acquired through partial non-monetary exchanges	23,683	23,974
Revenue equipment acquired through capital lease	$1,596	$0

Principal_Accounting_Policies_

Principal Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principal Accounting Policies	Principal Accounting Policies
	Organization
	Con-way Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Con-way”) provide transportation, logistics and supply-chain management services for a wide range of manufacturing, industrial and retail customers. Con-way’s business units operate in regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload and full-truckload freight transportation, contract logistics and supply-chain management, multimodal freight brokerage, and trailer manufacturing. As more fully discussed in Note 3, “Segment Reporting,” for financial reporting purposes, Con-way is divided into three reporting segments: Freight, Logistics and Truckload.
	Basis of Presentation
	These unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, and should be read in conjunction with Con-way’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been reduced or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly Con-way’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of annual results.
	Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
	Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated as follows:
	(Dollars in thousands except per share data)	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	30,557	$	25,304	$	87,459	$	92,750
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	56,714,423		55,906,636		56,390,621		55,806,937
	Stock options and nonvested stock	648,411		556,899		674,525		625,279
		57,362,834		56,463,535		57,065,146		56,432,216
	Diluted Earnings per Share:	$	0.53	$	0.45	$	1.53	$	1.64
	Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the
	computation of diluted EPS	930,616		1,818,992		954,749		1,779,609
	New Accounting Standards
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, "Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity." This ASU, codified in the "Foreign Currency Matters" topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, resolves the differing views in practice about whether the deconsolidation guidance in the "Consolidation" topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification impacts the guidance in "Foreign Currency Matters" topic in regard to when to release the cumulative translation adjustment into earnings. Under this ASU, complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity is required to release the cumulative translation adjustment for transactions occurring within a foreign entity. However, for transactions impacting the parent's investments in a foreign entity, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into earnings in a manner consistent with the deconsolidation guidance in the "Consolidation" topic. This accounting guidance in ASU 2013-05 will be applied prospectively and will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Con-way does not believe that the standard will have a material effect on its financial statements.
	Reclassifications
	Certain amounts in the prior-period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill And Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets	Goodwill
	The following table shows the changes in the gross carrying amounts of goodwill:
	(Dollars in thousands)	Logistics			Truckload			Corporate and Eliminations		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011
	Goodwill	$	55,440		$	464,598		$	727	$	520,765
	Accumulated impairment losses	(48,236		)	(134,813		)	—		(183,049		)
		7,204			329,785			727		337,716
	Change in foreign currency exchange rates	448			—			—		448
	Balances at December 31, 2012
	Goodwill	55,888			464,598			727		521,213
	Accumulated impairment losses	(48,236		)	(134,813		)	—		(183,049		)
		7,652			329,785			727		338,164
	Change in foreign currency exchange rates	(298		)	—			—		(298		)
	Balances at September 30, 2013
	Goodwill	55,590			464,598			727		520,915
	Accumulated impairment losses	(48,236		)	(134,813		)	—		(183,049		)
		$	7,354		$	329,785		$	727	$	337,866
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, amortization expense related to intangible assets was $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, compared to $0.8 million and $2.4 million in the same periods of 2012. Intangible assets consisted of the following:
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	Customer relationships	$	23,088		$	13,859		$	23,088	$	12,091
	Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is presented in the following table:
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Year ending December 31:
	Remaining three months of 2013	$	589
	2014	2,356
	2015	2,356
	2016	2,356
	2017	1,572
	2018	—

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting
	Con-way discloses segment information in the manner in which the business units are organized for making operating decisions, assessing performance and allocating resources. For the periods presented, Con-way is divided into the following three reporting segments:
	•	Freight. The Freight segment consists of the operating results of the Con-way Freight business unit, which provides regional, inter-regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload freight services throughout North America.
	•	Logistics. The Logistics segment consists of the operating results of the Menlo Worldwide Logistics business unit, which develops contract-logistics solutions, including the management of complex distribution networks and supply-chain engineering and consulting, and also provides multimodal freight-brokerage services.
	•	Truckload. The Truckload segment consists of the operating results of the Con-way Truckload business unit, which provides asset-based full-truckload freight services throughout North America.
	In prior periods, the Other reporting segment consisted of the operating results of Con-way's trailer manufacturer and certain corporate activities for which the related income or expense was not allocated to other reporting segments. Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, the former Other segment is reported as Corporate and Eliminations in order to reconcile the segment results to the consolidated totals. All periods presented reflect this change to the reporting segment structure.
	Financial Data
	Management evaluates segment performance primarily based on revenue and operating income (loss). Accordingly, investment income, interest expense, and other non-operating items are not reported in segment results. Corporate expenses are generally allocated based on measurable services provided to each segment, or for general corporate expenses, based on segment revenue. Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, defined benefit pension plan costs are no longer allocated from Corporate to the reporting segments. The amount of defined benefit pension cost retained in Corporate and Eliminations was $0.7 million and $2.2 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively. For the same periods of 2012, the amount of defined benefit pension cost allocated from Corporate to the three reporting segments was $2.4 million and $7.2 million, respectively. Inter-segment revenue and related operating income (loss) have been eliminated to reconcile to consolidated revenue and operating income. Transactions between segments are generally based on negotiated prices.
	(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Revenues from External Customers
	Freight	$	888,508		$	846,280		$	2,587,468	$	2,529,979
	Logistics	362,830			415,165			1,095,086		1,260,173
	Truckload	144,583			141,592			427,422		423,064
	Corporate and Eliminations	2,100			1,076			5,579		3,154
		$	1,398,021		$	1,404,113		$	4,115,555	$	4,216,370
	Revenues from Internal Customers
	Freight	$	10,746		$	11,996		$	31,597	$	37,868
	Logistics	17,719			12,625			48,198		34,792
	Truckload	17,596			18,502			53,564		57,273
	Corporate and Eliminations	18,410			14,153			49,455		41,002
		$	64,471		$	57,276		$	182,814	$	170,935
	Operating Income (Loss)
	Freight	$	51,570		$	34,441		122,283		122,372
	Logistics	8,178			10,990			20,749		35,972
	Truckload	8,971			11,273			29,799		36,442
	Corporate and Eliminations	(1,044		)	(1,491		)	2,742		(3,740		)
		$	67,675		$	55,213		$	175,573	$	191,046

FairValue_Measurements

Fair-Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair-Value Measurements	Fair-Value Measurements
	Assets and liabilities reported at fair value are classified in one of the following three levels within the fair-value hierarchy:
	Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
	Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data
	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data
	Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The following table summarizes the valuation of financial instruments within the fair-value hierarchy:
		September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents	$	418,484	$	94,092	$	324,392	$	—
		December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents	$	378,266	$	70,488	$	307,778	$	—
	Current marketable securities	3,200		—		3,200		—
	Cash equivalents consist of short-term interest-bearing instruments (primarily commercial paper, certificates of deposit and money-market funds) with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. Current marketable securities at December 31, 2012 consisted of variable-rate demand notes.
	Money-market funds reflect their published net asset value and are classified as Level 1 instruments. Commercial paper, certificates of deposit and variable-rate demand notes are generally valued using published interest rates for instruments with similar terms and maturities, and accordingly, are classified as Level 2 instruments. At September 30, 2013, the weighted-average remaining maturity of the cash equivalents was less than one month. Based on their short maturities, the carrying amount of the cash equivalents approximates their fair value.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	In the periods presented, certain employees of Con-way and its subsidiaries in the U.S. were covered under several retirement benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, defined contribution retirement plans and a postretirement medical plan. See Note 10, “Employee Benefit Plans,” of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in Con-way’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning its employee benefit plans.
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	As a result of plan amendments in previous years, no additional benefits accrue under these plans and already-accrued benefits will not be adjusted for future increases in compensation. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit expense for Con-way’s domestic defined benefit pension plans:
		Qualified Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	$	17,506		$	17,542		$	52,517		$	52,626
	Expected return on plan assets	(22,831		)	(21,102		)	(68,493		)	(63,308		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	4,568			4,858			13,704			14,574
	Amortization of prior-service costs	418			4			1,253			11
	Net periodic benefit expense (income)	$	(339	)	$	1,302		$	(1,019	)	$	3,903
		Non-Qualified Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	$	803		$	860		$	2,410		$	2,579
	Amortization of actuarial loss	280			240			839			763
	Amortization of prior-service costs	1			—			4			—
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	1,084		$	1,100		$	3,253		$	3,342
	Con-way has made $55.3 million in contributions to its Qualified Pension Plans in 2013. Con-way does not anticipate making any further contributions to the plans in 2013.
	Defined Contribution Retirement Plans
	Con-way’s expense for defined contribution retirement plans was $14.1 million and $41.3 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, respectively, compared to $12.0 million and $37.6 million in the same periods of 2012.
	Postretirement Medical Plan
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit expense for the postretirement medical plan:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	370		$	419		$	1,112		$	1,259
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	869			1,080			2,608			3,239
	Amortization of prior-service credit	(263		)	(302		)	(789		)	(905		)
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	976		$	1,197		$	2,931		$	3,593

ShareBased_Compensation

Share-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation
	Under terms of its share-based compensation plans, Con-way grants various types of share-based compensation awards to employees and directors. The plans provide for awards in the form of nonvested stock (also known as restricted stock), performance-share plan units, stock options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs"). See Note 11, “Share-Based Compensation,” of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in Con-way’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning its share-based compensation awards. The following expense was recognized for share-based compensation:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	$	5,505		$	1,542		$	16,699		$	11,371
	Deferred income tax benefit	(2,144		)	(596		)	(6,501		)	(4,414		)
	Net share-based compensation expense	$	3,361		$	946		$	10,198		$	6,957
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Con-way had recognized accrued liabilities for cash-settled SARs of $5.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, using a weighted-average fair value per SAR of $17.91 and $7.43, respectively.

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes

Income Taxes Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Con-way's third-quarter and year-to-date effective tax rates in 2013 were 42.8% and 34.2%, respectively. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, the effective tax rates were 38.5% and 37.0%, respectively. The customary relationship between income tax expense and pretax income was affected by discrete adjustments. In the third quarter of 2013, the effective tax rate included a discrete tax charge of $1.0 million. In the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, the effective tax rates included discrete tax benefits of $6.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively, which included second-quarter benefits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations on uncertain tax positions. The effective tax rate in 2013 also included a first-quarter benefit for the alternative-fuel tax credits for 2012 that were recognized in the first quarter of 2013 because of a retroactive change to tax laws. The effective tax rates in the 2013 periods were also adversely affected by foreign income taxes.
	Other accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheets include income tax receivables of $12.8 million and $6.6 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Service Contracts
	Con-way has agreements with third-party service providers to provide certain information-technology, administrative and accounting services. The payments under the terms of the agreements are subject to change depending on the quantities and types of services consumed. The contracts also contain provisions that allow Con-way to terminate the contract at any time; however, Con-way would be required to pay additional fees if termination is for causes other than the failure of the service providers to perform.
	California Wage and Hour
	Con-way is a defendant in several class action lawsuits alleging violations of the state of California's wage and hour laws. Plaintiffs allege that Con-way failed to pay certain drivers for all compensable time and that certain other drivers were not provided with required meal breaks and rest breaks. Plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified monetary damages, penalties, interest and attorneys' fees. The two primary cases are Jorge R. Quezada v. Con-way Inc., dba Con-way Freight, (the "Quezada" case), and Jose Alberto Fonseca Pina, et al, v. Con-way Freight Inc., et al. (the "Pina" case). The Quezada case was initially filed in February 2009 in San Mateo County Superior Court, and was removed to the U.S. District Court of California, Northern District. The Pina case was initially filed in November 2009 in Monterey County Superior Court and was removed to the U.S. District Court of California, Northern District. By agreement of the parties, in March 2010, the Pina case and the Quezada case were deemed related and transferred to the same judge. On April 12, 2012, the Court granted plaintiff's request for class certification in the Pina case as to a limited number of issues. On October 15, 2012, the Court granted plaintiffs' request for class certification in the Quezada case and granted summary judgment as to certain issues. The class certification rulings do not address whether Con-way will ultimately be held liable. In the Quezada case, trial is currently scheduled for April 2014. Con-way continues to challenge the certification of the class, and further contends that plaintiffs' claims are pre-empted by federal law. Con-way has denied any liability with respect to these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in these cases. There are multiple factors that prevent Con-way from being able to estimate the amount of potential loss, if any, in excess of its accrued liability that may result from this matter, including: (1) Con-way is vigorously defending itself and believes that it has a number of meritorious legal defenses; and (2) at this early stage in the cases, there are unresolved questions of law and fact that could be important to the resolution of these matters. Accordingly, Con-way cannot estimate the amount or range of potential loss, if any, in excess of its accrued liability.
	Menlo Worldwide Logistics Receivable Dispute
	Menlo Worldwide Logistics ("Menlo") filed for and received an asset preservation order from the Ningxia High Court in China in April of 2013 in connection with an unpaid accounts receivable balance. The order secures the customer's assets for the equivalent unpaid accounts receivable balance. Following the customer's failure to pay $6.1 million within agreed-upon terms, Menlo, in the fourth quarter of 2012, became less confident of its ability to collect the full amount of the outstanding receivable balance. As a result, Menlo recorded an allowance of $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. In connection with that, Menlo seized coal inventory and the customer provided two shareholders' personal guarantees to Menlo in the event the customer fails to pay any or all the unpaid accounts receivable balance after selling all its assets, including the coal inventory. In the second quarter of 2013, new information came to Menlo's attention that caused Menlo to question whether it could continue to recognize any portion of the outstanding receivable balance, including information that raised uncertainty regarding Menlo's ability to realize value from the sale of secured assets of the customer. Accordingly, Menlo reserved for the remaining balance of the receivable in June 2013. Any proceeds from the sales of any customer assets will be recognized in future periods when and if they occur.
	Unclaimed-Property Audits
	Con-way is currently being audited by eight states, primarily the State of Delaware, for compliance with unclaimed-property laws. The property subject to review in this audit process generally includes unclaimed securities and unclaimed payments and refunds to employees, vendors and customers. State and federal escheat laws generally require companies to report and remit unclaimed property to the states. Con-way believes it has procedures in place to comply with these laws. The audits of Con-way securities were completed in the third quarter of 2013 with no material findings and the remaining audits will continue into 2014. Given the current stage of the remaining audits, Con-way cannot estimate the amount or range of potential loss, if any.
	Other
	Con-way is a defendant in various other lawsuits incidental to its businesses. It is the opinion of management that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on Con-way's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders' Equity
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	All changes in equity, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, are reported in the statements of consolidated comprehensive income.
	In the first quarter of 2013, Con-way adopted ASU 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU, codified in the “Comprehensive Income” topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, requires additional disclosures about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the changes in the balances for each component of comprehensive income (loss) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	The following is a summary of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at June 30, 2013		$	(1,037	)	$	—		$	(449,062	)	$	(450,099	)
		Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	305			—			—			305
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			3,051			3,051
	Balances at September 30, 2013		$	(732	)	$	—		$	(446,011	)	$	(446,743	)
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at December 31, 2012		$	(1,295	)	$	—		$	(455,166	)	$	(456,461	)
		Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	563			—			—			563
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			9,155			9,155
	Balances at September 30, 2013		$	(732	)	$	—		$	(446,011	)	$	(446,743	)
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at June 30, 2012		$	(2,502	)	$	(283	)	$	(430,552	)	$	(433,337	)
		Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	674			283			—			957
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			2,928			2,928
	Balances at September 30, 2012		$	(1,828	)	$	—		$	(427,624	)	$	(429,452	)
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at December 31, 2011		$	(1,776	)	$	(226	)	$	(436,434	)	$	(438,436	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(52		)	226			—			174
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			8,810			8,810
	Balances at September 30, 2012		$	(1,828	)	$	—		$	(427,624	)	$	(429,452	)
	See Note 5, “Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information concerning Con-way's employee benefit plans, including amounts reported for net periodic benefit expense.

Debt_and_Other_Financing_Arran

Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt and Other Financing Arrangements	Debt and Other Financing Arrangements
	In the second quarter of 2013, Con-way amended its $325 million revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date from August 2, 2016 to June 28, 2018. The amended facility also includes revised pricing that lowers Con-way's cost of utilizing the facility. The financial covenants and available credit provided to Con-way under the facility are unchanged by the amendment. See Note 6, “Debt and Other Financing Arrangements,” of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in Con-way's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information concerning Con-way's $325 million credit facility and its other debt instruments.

Principal_Accounting_Policies

Principal Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization	Organization
	Con-way Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Con-way”) provide transportation, logistics and supply-chain management services for a wide range of manufacturing, industrial and retail customers. Con-way’s business units operate in regional and transcontinental less-than-truckload and full-truckload freight transportation, contract logistics and supply-chain management, multimodal freight brokerage, and trailer manufacturing. As more fully discussed in Note 3, “Segment Reporting,” for financial reporting purposes, Con-way is divided into three reporting segments: Freight, Logistics and Truckload
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	These unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, and should be read in conjunction with Con-way’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been reduced or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly Con-way’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of annual results
Earnings Per Share ("EPS")	Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
	Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated as follows:
	(Dollars in thousands except per share data)	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	30,557	$	25,304	$	87,459	$	92,750
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	56,714,423		55,906,636		56,390,621		55,806,937
	Stock options and nonvested stock	648,411		556,899		674,525		625,279
		57,362,834		56,463,535		57,065,146		56,432,216
	Diluted Earnings per Share:	$	0.53	$	0.45	$	1.53	$	1.64
	Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the
	computation of diluted EPS	930,616		1,818,992		954,749		1,779,609
New Accounting Standards	New Accounting Standards
	In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, "Parent's Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity." This ASU, codified in the "Foreign Currency Matters" topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, resolves the differing views in practice about whether the deconsolidation guidance in the "Consolidation" topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification impacts the guidance in "Foreign Currency Matters" topic in regard to when to release the cumulative translation adjustment into earnings. Under this ASU, complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity is required to release the cumulative translation adjustment for transactions occurring within a foreign entity. However, for transactions impacting the parent's investments in a foreign entity, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into earnings in a manner consistent with the deconsolidation guidance in the "Consolidation" topic. This accounting guidance in ASU 2013-05 will be applied prospectively and will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Con-way does not believe that the standard will have a material effect on its financial statements.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Certain amounts in the prior-period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.

Principal_Accounting_Policies_1

Principal Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Calculation Of Diluted Earnings Per Share
	(Dollars in thousands except per share data)	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	30,557	$	25,304	$	87,459	$	92,750
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	56,714,423		55,906,636		56,390,621		55,806,937
	Stock options and nonvested stock	648,411		556,899		674,525		625,279
		57,362,834		56,463,535		57,065,146		56,432,216
	Diluted Earnings per Share:	$	0.53	$	0.45	$	1.53	$	1.64
	Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the
	computation of diluted EPS	930,616		1,818,992		954,749		1,779,609

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Changes In Gross Carrying Amounts Of Goodwill
	(Dollars in thousands)	Logistics			Truckload			Corporate and Eliminations		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011
	Goodwill	$	55,440		$	464,598		$	727	$	520,765
	Accumulated impairment losses	(48,236		)	(134,813		)	—		(183,049		)
		7,204			329,785			727		337,716
	Change in foreign currency exchange rates	448			—			—		448
	Balances at December 31, 2012
	Goodwill	55,888			464,598			727		521,213
	Accumulated impairment losses	(48,236		)	(134,813		)	—		(183,049		)
		7,652			329,785			727		338,164
	Change in foreign currency exchange rates	(298		)	—			—		(298		)
	Balances at September 30, 2013
	Goodwill	55,590			464,598			727		520,915
	Accumulated impairment losses	(48,236		)	(134,813		)	—		(183,049		)
		$	7,354		$	329,785		$	727	$	337,866
Schedule Of Intangible Assets
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
	Customer relationships	$	23,088		$	13,859		$	23,088	$	12,091
Schedule Of Estimated Amortization Expense
	(Dollars in thousands)
	Year ending December 31:
	Remaining three months of 2013	$	589
	2014	2,356
	2015	2,356
	2016	2,356
	2017	1,572
	2018	—

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment
	(Dollars in thousands)	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Revenues from External Customers
	Freight	$	888,508		$	846,280		$	2,587,468	$	2,529,979
	Logistics	362,830			415,165			1,095,086		1,260,173
	Truckload	144,583			141,592			427,422		423,064
	Corporate and Eliminations	2,100			1,076			5,579		3,154
		$	1,398,021		$	1,404,113		$	4,115,555	$	4,216,370
	Revenues from Internal Customers
	Freight	$	10,746		$	11,996		$	31,597	$	37,868
	Logistics	17,719			12,625			48,198		34,792
	Truckload	17,596			18,502			53,564		57,273
	Corporate and Eliminations	18,410			14,153			49,455		41,002
		$	64,471		$	57,276		$	182,814	$	170,935
	Operating Income (Loss)
	Freight	$	51,570		$	34,441		122,283		122,372
	Logistics	8,178			10,990			20,749		35,972
	Truckload	8,971			11,273			29,799		36,442
	Corporate and Eliminations	(1,044		)	(1,491		)	2,742		(3,740		)
		$	67,675		$	55,213		$	175,573	$	191,046

FairValue_Measurements_Tables

Fair-Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary Of Valuation Of Financial Instruments At Fair-Value
		September 30, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents	$	418,484	$	94,092	$	324,392	$	—
		December 31, 2012
	(Dollars in thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash equivalents	$	378,266	$	70,488	$	307,778	$	—
	Current marketable securities	3,200		—		3,200		—

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income)
		Qualified Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	$	17,506		$	17,542		$	52,517		$	52,626
	Expected return on plan assets	(22,831		)	(21,102		)	(68,493		)	(63,308		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	4,568			4,858			13,704			14,574
	Amortization of prior-service costs	418			4			1,253			11
	Net periodic benefit expense (income)	$	(339	)	$	1,302		$	(1,019	)	$	3,903
		Non-Qualified Pension Plans
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	$	803		$	860		$	2,410		$	2,579
	Amortization of actuarial loss	280			240			839			763
	Amortization of prior-service costs	1			—			4			—
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	1,084		$	1,100		$	3,253		$	3,342
Postretirement Medical Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income)
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	370		$	419		$	1,112		$	1,259
	Interest cost on benefit obligation	869			1,080			2,608			3,239
	Amortization of prior-service credit	(263		)	(302		)	(789		)	(905		)
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	976		$	1,197		$	2,931		$	3,593

ShareBased_Compensation_Tables

Share-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
	(Dollars in thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
	Salaries, wages and employee benefits	$	5,505		$	1,542		$	16,699		$	11,371
	Deferred income tax benefit	(2,144		)	(596		)	(6,501		)	(4,414		)
	Net share-based compensation expense	$	3,361		$	946		$	10,198		$	6,957

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following is a summary of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at June 30, 2013		$	(1,037	)	$	—		$	(449,062	)	$	(450,099	)
		Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	305			—			—			305
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			3,051			3,051
	Balances at September 30, 2013		$	(732	)	$	—		$	(446,011	)	$	(446,743	)
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at December 31, 2012		$	(1,295	)	$	—		$	(455,166	)	$	(456,461	)
		Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	563			—			—			563
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			9,155			9,155
	Balances at September 30, 2013		$	(732	)	$	—		$	(446,011	)	$	(446,743	)
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at June 30, 2012		$	(2,502	)	$	(283	)	$	(430,552	)	$	(433,337	)
		Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	674			283			—			957
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			2,928			2,928
	Balances at September 30, 2012		$	(1,828	)	$	—		$	(427,624	)	$	(429,452	)
			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security			Employee Benefit Plans			Total
	Balances at December 31, 2011		$	(1,776	)	$	(226	)	$	(436,434	)	$	(438,436	)
		Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(52		)	226			—			174
		Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			—			8,810			8,810
	Balances at September 30, 2012		$	(1,828	)	$	—		$	(427,624	)	$	(429,452	)
	See Note 5, “Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information concerning Con-way's employee benefit plans, including amounts reported for net periodic benefit expense.

Principal_Accounting_Policies_2

Principal Accounting Policies (Calculation Of Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net Income	$30,557	$25,304	$87,459	$92,750
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	56,714,423	55,906,636	56,390,621	55,806,937
Stock options and nonvested stock	648,411	556,899	674,525	625,279
Denominator for net income per share	57,362,834	56,463,535	57,065,146	56,432,216
Diluted Earnings per Share:	$0.53	$0.45	$1.53	$1.64
Anit-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted EPS	930,616	1,818,992	954,749	1,779,609

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Changes In Gross Carrying Amounts Of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$520,915	$521,213	$520,765
Accumulated impairment losses	-183,049	-183,049	-183,049
Total Goodwill	337,866	338,164	337,716
Change in foreign currency exchange rates	-298	448
Logistics [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	55,590	55,888	55,440
Accumulated impairment losses	-48,236	-48,236	-48,236
Total Goodwill	7,354	7,652	7,204
Change in foreign currency exchange rates	-298	448
Truckload [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	464,598	464,598	464,598
Accumulated impairment losses	-134,813	-134,813	-134,813
Total Goodwill	329,785	329,785	329,785
Change in foreign currency exchange rates	0	0
Corporate and Eliminations [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	727	727	727
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0	0
Total Goodwill	727	727	727
Change in foreign currency exchange rates	$0	$0

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets3

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					Customer Relationships [Member]	Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$600,000	$800,000	$1,800,000	$2,400,000
Gross Carrying Amount					23,088,000	23,088,000
Accumulated Amortization					$13,859,000	$12,091,000

Goodwill_And_Intangible_Assets4

Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Schedule Of Estimated Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Remaining three months of 2013	$589
2014	2,356
2015	2,356
2016	2,356
2017	1,572
2018	$0

Segment_Reporting_Operating_In

Segment Reporting (Operating Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments			3
Change in Allocation of Pension Costs to Segments	$700,000	$2,400,000	$2,200,000	$7,200,000
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,398,021,000	1,404,113,000	4,115,555,000	4,216,370,000
Operating Income (Loss)	67,675,000	55,213,000	175,573,000	191,046,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,100,000	1,076,000	5,579,000	3,154,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Freight [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	888,508,000	846,280,000	2,587,468,000	2,529,979,000
Operating Income (Loss)	51,570,000	34,441,000	122,283,000	122,372,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	362,830,000	415,165,000	1,095,086,000	1,260,173,000
Operating Income (Loss)	8,178,000	10,990,000	20,749,000	35,972,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Truckload [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	144,583,000	141,592,000	427,422,000	423,064,000
Operating Income (Loss)	8,971,000	11,273,000	29,799,000	36,442,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	64,471,000	57,276,000	182,814,000	170,935,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Freight [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	10,746,000	11,996,000	31,597,000	37,868,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,719,000	12,625,000	48,198,000	34,792,000
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Truckload [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,596,000	18,502,000	53,564,000	57,273,000
Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	18,410,000	14,153,000	49,455,000	41,002,000
Operating Income (Loss)	($1,044,000)	($1,491,000)	$2,742,000	($3,740,000)

FairValue_Measurements_Summary

Fair-Value Measurements (Summary Of Valuation Of Financial Instruments At Fair-Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	$418,484	$378,266
Current marketable securities		3,200
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	94,092	70,488
Current marketable securities		0
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	324,392	307,778
Current marketable securities		3,200
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	0	0
Current marketable securities		$0

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Narrati

Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit plan employer contribution			$55.30
Defined contribution plan expense	$14.10	$12	$41.30	$37.60

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Compone

Employee Benefit Plans (Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Expense (Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost on benefit obligation	$17,506	$17,542	$52,517	$52,626
Expected return on plan assets	-22,831	-21,102	-68,493	-63,308
Amortization of actuarial loss	4,568	4,858	13,704	14,574
Amortization of prior service credit	418	4	1,253	11
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	-339	1,302	-1,019	3,903
Non-Qualified Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost on benefit obligation	803	860	2,410	2,579
Amortization of actuarial loss	280	240	839	763
Amortization of prior service credit	1	0	4	0
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	1,084	1,100	3,253	3,342
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	370	419	1,112	1,259
Interest cost on benefit obligation	869	1,080	2,608	3,239
Amortization of prior service credit	-263	-302	-789	-905
Net periodic benefit expense (income)	$976	$1,197	$2,931	$3,593

ShareBased_Compensation_Narrat

Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Accrued liabilities for cash-settled SAR	$5.20	$3.60
Weighted-average fair value per SAR	$17.91	$7.43

ShareBased_Compensation_ShareB

Share-Based Compensation (Share-Based Compensation Arrangement Expenses Recognized) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Salaries, wages and employee benefits	$5,505	$1,542	$16,699	$11,371
Deferred income tax benefit	-2,144	-596	-6,501	-4,414
Net share-based compensation expense	$3,361	$946	$10,198	$6,957

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	42.80%	38.50%	34.20%	37.00%
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions	$1		($6.20)	($2.50)
Income tax receivables	$12.80		$12.80		$6.60

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Specific customer allowance for uncollectible trade accounts receivable gross unpaid amounts	$6.10
Specific customer allowance for uncollectible trade accounts receivable allowance recorded	$2.30

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning of Period	($450,099)	($433,337)	($456,461)	($438,436)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	305	957	563	174
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,051	2,928	9,155	8,810
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, End of Period	-446,743	-429,452	-446,743	-429,452
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning of Period	-1,037	-2,502	-1,295	-1,776
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	305	674	563	-52
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, End of Period	-732	-1,828	-732	-1,828
Unrealized Loss on Available-for-Sale Security [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning of Period	0	-283	0	-226
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	283	0	226
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, End of Period	0	0	0	0
Employee Benefit Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, Beginning of Period	-449,062	-430,552	-455,166	-436,434
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,051	2,928	9,155	8,810
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, End of Period	($446,011)	($427,624)	($446,011)	($427,624)

Debt_and_Other_Financing_Arran1

Debt and Other Financing Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$325
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date	28-Jun-18