Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Reconciliation of Company's effective tax rate from federal statutory rate
Federal tax (benefit) provision at statutory rate	$ 15,034	$ 1,361	$ 18,268	$ (15,625)
State taxes, net of federal benefit	1,815	126	2,205	(1,451)
Reversal of state tax provisions- finalization of audits	(1,782)	(16,933)	(1,782)	(19,273)
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits	(277)
Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions	(12,794)	(12,873)	(18,073)	(30,827)
Valuation allowance - recognized	3,500		1,400	18,791
Valuation allowance - reversed	(27,847)	(10,846)	(31,164)	(23,123)
Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments	650	1,174	2,600	2,799
Other	3,010	(229)	3,010	(686)
Income tax benefit	$ (18,691)	$ (38,220)	$ (23,536)	$ (69,395)
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%	3.20%	4.20%	(3.30%)
Reversal of state tax provisions- finalization of audits, percentage	(4.20%)	(435.50%)	(3.40%)	(43.20%)
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits, percentage	(0.60%)
Reversal of accrual for uncertain tax positions, percentage	(29.80%)	(331.10%)	(34.60%)	(69.00%)
Valuation allowance - recognized, percentage	8.10%		2.70%	42.10%
Valuation allowance - reversed, percentage	(64.80%)	(279.00%)	(59.70%)	(51.80%)
Accrued interest on anticipated tax assessments, percentage	1.50%	30.20%	5.00%	6.30%
Other, percentage	7.10%	(5.90%)	5.70%	(1.50%)
Tax provision (benefit), percentage	(43.50%)	(983.10%)	(45.10%)	(155.40%)