Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Reconciliation of Company's effective tax rate from federal statutory rate
Federal tax (benefit) provision at statutory rate	$ 5,477	$ (11,019)	$ 3,234	$ (16,986)
State taxes, net of federal benefit	662	(1,023)	391	(1,577)
Reversal of state tax provisions- finalization of audits				(2,340)
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits	(1,223)		277
Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions			(5,279)	(17,954)
Increase in deferred tax assets-net	(1,575)		(2,100)
Valuation allowance - recognized		12,549		19,577
Valuation allowance - reversed	(4,564)	(11,802)	(3,318)	(13,062)
Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments		813	1,950	1,625
Other		(229)		(458)
Income tax benefit	$ (1,223)	$ (10,711)	$ (4,845)	$ (31,175)
Federal tax (benefit) provision at statutory rate, percentage	35.00%	(35.00%)	35.00%	(35.00%)
State taxes net of federal benefit, percentage	4.20%	(3.30%)	4.20%	(3.30%)
Reversal of state tax provisions- finalization of audits, percentage				(4.80%)
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits, percentage	(7.80%)		3.00%
Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions, percentage			(57.10%)	(37.00%)
Increase in deferred tax assets-net, percentage	(10.00%)		(22.70%)
Valuation allowance - recognized, percentage		39.90%		40.30%
Valuation allowance - reversed, percentage	(29.20%)	(37.50%)	(35.90%)	(26.90%)
Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments, percentage		2.60%	21.10%	3.40%
Other, percentage		(0.70%)		(0.90%)
Tax provision (benefit), percentage	(7.80%)	(34.00%)	(52.40%)	(64.20%)