Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Additional Information (Detail)

v3.8.0.1
DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Additional Information (Detail)
£ in Millions, CAD in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2017
USD ($)
Nov. 09, 2017
USD ($)
Nov. 08, 2017
USD ($)
Oct. 01, 2017
USD ($)
May 18, 2017
USD ($)
May 16, 2017
USD ($)
Nov. 30, 2015
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Credit_Agreements
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Tranches
Credit_Agreements
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
GBP (£)
Credit_Agreements
Dec. 31, 2017
EUR (€)
Credit_Agreements
Nov. 08, 2017
EUR (€)
May 18, 2017
CAD
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 24,761,000,000   $ 24,761,000,000              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               24,289,000,000   $ 24,289,000,000 $ 16,075,000,000            
Number of tranches in debt instrument | Tranches                   2              
Repayments of long-term borrowings                   $ 3,939,000,000 3,805,000,000 $ 2,724,000,000          
Rent expense related to operating leases                   804,000,000 686,000,000 $ 669,000,000          
Outstanding letters of credit               1,084,000,000   1,084,000,000              
Surety bonds written               $ 932,000,000   $ 932,000,000              
Number of credit agreements | Credit_Agreements               2   2     2 2      
Covenants limit the amount of secured indebtedness that we may incur, and limit the amount of attributable debt in sale-leaseback transactions, to percentage of net tangible assets               10.00%   10.00%     10.00% 10.00%      
Covenants limit the amount of secured indebtedness that we may incur, and limit the amount of attributable debt in sale-leaseback transactions, net tangible assets amount               $ 2,686,000,000   $ 2,686,000,000              
Long-term debt fair value               0   0 $ 17,134,000,000            
Long-term Debt               $ 23,886,000,000   $ 23,886,000,000              
8.375% Debentures                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               837.50%   837.50%     837.50% 837.50%      
8.375% debentures Due 2030                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Original debt amount                   $ 276,000,000              
Debt instrument redemption price               100.00%   100.00%     100.00% 100.00%      
8.375% debentures Due 2030 | Until April 1, 2020                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               8.375%   8.375%     8.375% 8.375%      
8.375% debentures Due 2030 | After April 1, 2020 for the Final 10 Years                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               7.62%   7.62%     7.62% 7.62%      
Debt instrument, period that interest rate is reduced to 7.62%                   10 years              
8.375% debentures Due 2020                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt not subject to early redemption               $ 424,000,000   $ 424,000,000              
Derivative, average swaption interest rate               5.95%   5.95% 5.43%   5.95% 5.95%      
Floating rate senior notes maturing 2022                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates               0.45%                  
Facility Notes and Bonds Worldport Louisville                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Average interest rate                   0.83% 0.37%            
Principal Balance               $ 149,000,000   $ 149,000,000              
Facility Notes and Bonds Airfreight Louisville                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Average interest rate                   0.80% 0.36%            
Principal Balance               42,000,000   $ 42,000,000              
Facility Notes and Bonds International Airport Dallas Fort Worth                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Principal Balance               $ 29,000,000   $ 29,000,000              
Fixed interest rate               5.11%   5.11%     5.11% 5.11%      
Facility Notes and Bonds, Delaware County, Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority, Due September 2045                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Average interest rate                   0.78% 0.40%            
Principal Balance                                 $ 100,000,000
5.50% Pound Sterling Notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Number of tranches in debt instrument | Tranches                   2              
Pound Sterling notes not exchanged | £                         £ 66        
5.50% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               5.50%   5.50%     5.50% 5.50%      
5.13% Pound Sterling Notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Average interest rate                   5.125%              
Pound Sterling notes not exchanged | £                         £ 455        
Redemption price description                   These notes are callable at our option at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100% of the principal amount and accrued interest, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payout of principal and interest thereon discounted to the date of redemption at a benchmark U.K. government bond yield plus 15 basis points and accrued interest.              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Revolving credit facilities               $ 1,500,000,000.0   $ 1,500,000,000.0              
Maturity                   Mar. 23, 2018              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014 | Federal funds effective rate                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.50%              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014 | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   1.00%              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2018                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Revolving credit facilities               3,000,000,000.0   $ 3,000,000,000.0              
Maturity                   Mar. 24, 2022              
Applicable margin for base rate below LIBOR                   1.00%              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2018 | Federal funds effective rate                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.50%              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2018 | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   1.00%              
Revolving credit facility expiring in 2018 | Minimum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin for base rate below LIBOR                   0.00%              
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014 | Maximum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.75%              
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014 | Minimum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt Instrument, Credit Default Swap Spread, Term                   1 year              
Applicable margin rates                   0.10%              
LIBOR [Member] | Revolving credit facility expiring in 2018 | Minimum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.10%              
Citibank base rate [Member] | Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014 | Maximum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   1.00%              
Citibank base rate [Member] | Revolving credit facility expiring in 2014 | Minimum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.00%              
Citibank base rate [Member] | Revolving credit facility expiring in 2018 | Minimum                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.75%              
Canadian Senior Notes | 2.125% canadian senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount         $ 547,000,000     $ 597,000,000   $ 597,000,000           CAD 750  
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage         2.125%     2.125%   2.125%     2.125% 2.125%   2.125%  
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 593,000,000   $ 593,000,000 $ 0            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2024              
Canadian Senior Notes | 2.125% canadian senior notes | Government of Canada Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates         0.215%                        
Euro Senior Notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage     100.00%                            
Euro Senior Notes | 0.375% Euro Senior Notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount     $ 815,000,000         $ 839,000,000   $ 839,000,000         € 700,000,000    
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage     0.375%         0.375%   0.375%     0.375% 0.375% 0.375%    
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 832,000,000   $ 832,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2023              
Euro Senior Notes | 0.375% Euro Senior Notes | Euro Government Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates     0.01%                            
Euro Senior Notes | 1.500% euro senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount     $ 582,000,000         $ 599,000,000   $ 599,000,000         € 500,000,000    
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage     1.50%         1.50%   1.50%     1.50% 1.50% 1.50%    
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 594,000,000   $ 594,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2032              
Euro Senior Notes | 1.500% euro senior notes | Euro Government Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates     0.02%                            
Euro Senior Notes | 1.000% euro senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 599,000,000   $ 599,000,000       € 500,000,000      
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               1.00%   1.00%     1.00% 1.00%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage                   100.00%              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 595,000,000   $ 595,000,000 523,000,000            
Maturity                   Nov. 30, 2028              
Euro Senior Notes | 1.000% euro senior notes | German Government                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.15%              
Commercial paper                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               3,203,000,000   $ 3,203,000,000              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               3,203,000,000   $ 3,203,000,000 $ 3,250,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2018              
Commercial paper | U.S. Commercial Paper Program                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Commercial paper program, authorized to borrow               10,000,000,000.0   $ 10,000,000,000.0       € 5,000,000,000.0      
Long-term Debt               $ 2,458,000,000   $ 2,458,000,000              
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate               1.35%   1.35%     1.35% 1.35%      
Commercial paper | Foreign Commercial Paper Program                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Long-term Debt               $ 745,000,000   $ 745,000,000       € 622,000,000      
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate               (0.41%)   (0.41%)     (0.41%) (0.41%)      
Senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate               0.50%   0.50% 0.00%   0.50% 0.50%      
Senior notes | Maximum | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.45%              
Senior notes | Minimum | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.15%              
Senior notes | 3.750% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 1,150,000,000.00           $ 1,150,000,000   $ 1,150,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage   3.75%           3.75%   3.75%     3.75% 3.75%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage   100.00%                              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 1,135,000,000   $ 1,135,000,000 $ 0            
Maturity                   Nov. 30, 2047              
Applicable margin rates   0.15%                              
Senior notes | 2.800% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 500,000,000           $ 500,000,000   $ 500,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage   2.80%           2.80%   2.80%     2.80% 2.80%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage   100.00%                              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 495,000,000   $ 495,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Nov. 30, 2024              
Senior notes | 2.800% senior notes | US Treasury Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates   0.10%                              
Senior notes | 3.050% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 1,000,000,000           $ 1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage   3.05%           3.05%   3.05%     3.05% 3.05%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage   100.00%                              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 990,000,000   $ 990,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Nov. 30, 2027              
Senior notes | 3.050% senior notes | US Treasury Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates   0.15%                              
Senior notes | 3.40% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 500,000,000   $ 500,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               3.40%   3.40%     3.40% 3.40%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 491,000,000   $ 491,000,000 491,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2046              
Senior notes | 2.350% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount           $ 600,000,000   $ 600,000,000   $ 600,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage           2.35%   2.35%   2.35%     2.35% 2.35%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage           100.00%                      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 597,000,000   $ 597,000,000 0            
Maturity                   May 31, 2022              
Senior notes | 2.350% senior notes | US Treasury Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates           0.10%                      
Senior notes | 5.50% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 750,000,000   $ 750,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               5.50%   5.50%     5.50% 5.50%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 751,000,000   $ 751,000,000 $ 769,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2018              
Maturity - Maximum Date                   Jan. 01, 2018              
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage               3.45%   3.45% 2.94%   3.45% 3.45%      
Senior notes | 1.125% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 375,000,000   $ 375,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage       1.125%       1.125%   1.125%     1.125% 1.125%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 0   $ 0 $ 374,000,000            
Repayments of long-term borrowings       $ 375,000,000                          
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2017              
Maturity - Maximum Date                   Jan. 01, 2017              
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage               1.51%   1.51% 1.04%   1.51% 1.51%      
Senior notes | 5.125% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               5.125%   5.125%     5.125% 5.125%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 1,019,000,000   $ 1,019,000,000 $ 1,043,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2019              
Maturity - Maximum Date                   Jan. 01, 2019              
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage               2.98%   2.98% 2.49%   2.98% 2.98%      
Senior notes | 3.125% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 1,500,000,000   $ 1,500,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               3.125%   3.125%     3.125% 3.125%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 1,549,000,000   $ 1,549,000,000 $ 1,584,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2021              
Maturity - Maximum Date                   Jan. 01, 2021              
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage               1.34%   1.34% 1.40%   1.34% 1.34%      
Senior notes | 8.375% debentures Due 2030                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 276,000,000   $ 276,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               8.375%   8.375%     8.375% 8.375%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 282,000,000   $ 282,000,000 $ 282,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2030              
Senior notes | 8.375% debentures Due 2020                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 424,000,000   $ 424,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               8.375%   8.375%     8.375% 8.375%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 447,000,000   $ 447,000,000 461,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2020              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2022                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount           $ 400,000,000   400,000,000   $ 400,000,000              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               398,000,000   $ 398,000,000 $ 0            
Maturity                   May 31, 2022              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2022 | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates           0.38%                      
Senior notes | Euro Senior Notes Due July 2020                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               500,000,000   $ 500,000,000              
Average interest rate                   0.10% 0.19%            
Senior notes | Euro Senior Notes Due July 2020 | EURIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates             43000000.00%                    
Senior notes | Euro Senior Notes Due November 2025                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 700,000,000   $ 700,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               1.625%   1.625%     1.625% 1.625%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage                   100.00%              
Applicable margin rates                   0.20%              
Senior notes | 2.40% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount               $ 500,000,000   $ 500,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage               2.40%   2.40%     2.40% 2.40%      
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 497,000,000   $ 497,000,000 $ 497,000,000            
Maturity                   Dec. 31, 2026              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2021                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 350,000,000           350,000,000   $ 350,000,000              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               348,000,000   $ 348,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Apr. 30, 2021              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2021 | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates   0.15%                              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2023                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 500,000,000           500,000,000   $ 500,000,000              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               496,000,000   $ 496,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Apr. 30, 2023              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2023 | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates   0.45%                              
Senior notes | 2.050% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 700,000,000           $ 700,000,000   $ 700,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage   2.05%           2.05%   2.05%     2.05% 2.05%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage   100.00%                              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 696,000,000   $ 696,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Apr. 30, 2021              
Senior notes | 2.050% senior notes | US Treasury Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates   0.10%                              
Senior notes | 2.500% senior notes                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount   $ 1,000,000,000           $ 1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000              
Debt instrument, stated interest rate percentage   2.50%           2.50%   2.50%     2.50% 2.50%      
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage   100.00%                              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 992,000,000   $ 992,000,000 0            
Maturity                   Apr. 30, 2023              
Senior notes | 2.500% senior notes | US Treasury Yield                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates   0.10%                              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2049-2067                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Debt instrument, face amount $ 64             1,043,000,000 $ 147 $ 1,043,000,000              
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations               $ 1,032,000,000   $ 1,032,000,000 $ 824,000,000            
Average interest rate                   0.74% 0.21%            
Senior notes earliest callable period                   30 years              
Senior notes earliest putable period                   1 year              
Maturity - Minimum Date                   Dec. 31, 2049              
Maturity - Maximum Date                   Dec. 31, 2067              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2049-2067 | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates 0.35%               0.30%                
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2049-2067 | Maximum | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.45%              
Senior notes | Floating rate senior notes maturing 2049-2067 | Minimum | LIBOR                                  
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                  
Applicable margin rates                   0.30%