Summary of Self-Insurance Reserve Adjustments Resulting from Periodic Actuarial Evaluations of Ultimate Losses Relating to Prior Years (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010		Oct. 31, 2009
Self Insurance Reserves [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserve adjustments	$ (11,950)		$ (247)		$ (1,497)
Corporate
Self Insurance Reserves [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserve adjustments	2,081		1,216		9,435
Corporate | Workers' compensation, general liability, automobile, and property damage
Self Insurance Reserves [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserve adjustments	1,399	[1]	799	[1]	9,435	[1]
Corporate | Janitorial And Parking Locations
Self Insurance Reserves [Line Items]
Self-insurance reserve adjustments	$ 682	[2]	$ 417	[2]

[1] As described above, the Company is self-insured for workers' compensation, general liability, automobile, and property damage. During 2009, the Company was negatively impacted by the effects of unfavorable developments in workers' compensation claims in California and other states, certain case law decisions which resulted in a more favorable atmosphere for injured workers, and existing claims in California being updated by injured workers to add additional medical conditions to the original claims. During 2010 and 2011, higher than expected losses in workers' compensation and general liability claims resulted in increased losses, attributed to claims incurred in prior years.

[2] Separate evaluations of insurance reserves related to certain Janitorial and Parking locations showed unfavorable claims developments in 2010 and 2011, resulting in increased losses, attributable to claims incurred in prior years.