Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,060,083	$ 855,461	$ 2,089,252	$ 1,725,345
Expenses
Operating	949,594	771,974	1,877,354	1,554,075
Selling, general and administrative	78,324	65,244	157,524	128,046
Amortization of intangible assets	5,666	2,694	10,959	5,469
Total expenses	1,033,584	839,912	2,045,837	1,687,590
Operating profit	26,499	15,549	43,415	37,755
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on auction rate security:
Gross impairment losses		(101)		(36)
Impairments recognized in other comprehensive income		(26)		(91)
Income from unconsolidated affiliates, net	832		1,619
Interest expense	(4,317)	(1,177)	(8,363)	(2,392)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	23,014	14,245	36,671	35,236
Provision for income taxes	(8,814)	(5,622)	(14,066)	(13,777)
Income from continuing operations	14,200	8,623	22,605	21,459
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes	(8)	(46)	(24)	(107)
Net income	$ 14,192	$ 8,577	$ 22,581	$ 21,352
Net income per common share - Basic
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.27	$ 0.16	$ 0.43	$ 0.41
Loss from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Net Income	$ 0.27	$ 0.16	$ 0.43	$ 0.41
Net income per common share - Diluted
Income from continuing operations	$ 0.26	$ 0.16	$ 0.42	$ 0.41
Loss from discontinued operations	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Net Income	$ 0.26	$ 0.16	$ 0.42	$ 0.41
Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares outstanding
Basic	53,106	52,007	52,972	51,914
Diluted	54,159	52,719	54,026	52,633
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.140	$ 0.135	$ 0.280	$ 0.270