Pensions and Other Post-Retirement Benefits 4 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
Apr. 27, 2011	Apr. 28, 2010	Apr. 29, 2009
Pension Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$ 32,329	$ 30,486	$ 33,321
Interest cost	142,133	149,640	143,601
Expected return on assets	(229,258)	(211,408)	(207,774)
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	2,455	2,173	3,182
Amortization of net actuarial loss	77,687	53,882	33,206
Loss due to curtailment, settlement and special termination benefits	2,039	612	635
Net periodic benefit cost	27,385	25,385	6,171
Defined contribution plans	49,089	47,356	36,404
Total cost	76,474	72,741	42,575
Less periodic benefit cost associated with discontinued operations		618	1,376
Periodic benefit cost associated with continuing operations	76,474	72,123	41,199
Other Retiree Benefits [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	6,311	5,999	6,501
Interest cost	12,712	15,093	15,357
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)	(5,155)	(3,796)	(3,812)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,604	540	3,681
Net periodic benefit cost	15,472	17,836	21,727
Total cost	15,472	17,836	21,727
Periodic benefit cost associated with continuing operations	$ 15,472	$ 17,836	$ 21,727

Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Associated With Continuing Operations.

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- Definition

Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Associated with Discontinued Operations.

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- Definition

Total Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Cost.

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- Definition

The amount of gains or losses recognized in net periodic benefit cost

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The amount of the prior service cost or credit recognized in net periodic benefit cost relating to benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

An amount calculated as a basis for determining the extent of delayed recognition of the effects of changes in the fair value of assets. The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 106
-Paragraph 518

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 87
-Paragraph 264

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time.

+ References

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The total amount of net periodic benefit cost for defined benefit plans for the period. Periodic benefit costs include the following components: service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, gain or loss, prior service cost or credit, transition asset or obligation, and gain or loss due to settlements or curtailments).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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The aggregate amount of net gain or loss recognized in net periodic benefit cost due to settlements and curtailments. Curtailments result from an event that significantly reduces the expected years of future service of present employees or eliminates for a significant number of employees the accrual of defined benefits for some or all of their future services. Settlements result from an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include (a) making lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and (b) purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts to cover vested benefits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph h

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- Definition

The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan.

+ References

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- Definition

The amount of the cost recognized during the period for defined contribution plans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 132R
-Paragraph 11

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