Forward Air Corporation Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Shareholders' Equity, Stock Options and Net Income per Share - Common and Preferred Stock (Details)

Shareholders' Equity, Stock Options and Net Income per Share - Common and Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended			2 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 19, 2014	Dec. 31, 2008	May 31, 2008
Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized						5,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized	5,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized
Preferred stock par value per share						$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Cash Dividends [Abstract]
Quarterly cash dividend per share, common stock	$ 0.12	$ 0.10	$ 0.10	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.12	$ 0.10
Repurchase of Common Stock [Abstract]
Repurchase of common stock (repurchase program)						$ 39,972	$ 354	$ 0
Remaining shares authorized under share repurchase program						1,118,021
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Additional authorized shares for employee stock awards						746,000
Purchase Period for Employee Stock Purchase Plan						6 months
Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized						5,000,000
Preferred stock par value per share						$ 0.01
Common Stock [Member]
Repurchase of Common Stock [Abstract]
Share repurchase program, authorized shares						2,000,000			2,000,000
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares						881,979	8,675
Repurchase of common stock (repurchase program)						$ 39,972	$ 354
Treasury stock acquired, average cost per share						$ 45.32	$ 40.84
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized under the plan						7,500,000				4,500,000
Additional authorized shares for employee stock awards											3,000,000
Minimum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Expected life of options (in years)						7 years
Option award vesting period						1 year
Maximum [Member] \| Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Expected life of options (in years)						10 years
Option award vesting period						5 years