Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2013		Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	$ 5,359	[1]	$ 5,029	[1]
Investments in auction rate securities	12,994	[2]	17,780	[2]
Interest rate swaps	4	[3]
Total carrying amounts of Financial Assets	18,357		22,809
Cash and cash equivalents	32,639	[4]	43,459	[4]	26,467	39,446
Insurance deposits	28,466	[5]	31,720	[5]
Total Financial Assets	79,462		97,988
Interest rate swap	154	[3]	214	[3]
Contingent consideration liability	1,642	[6]
Total carrying amounts of Financial Liabilities	1,796		214
Line of credit	314,870	[7]	215,000	[7]
Total Financial Liabilities	316,666		215,214
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Total Fair Value of Financial Assets	18,357		22,809
Total Fair Value of Other Financial Assets	79,462		97,988
Total Fair Value of Other Financial Liabilities	1,796		214
Total Fair Value of Financial Liabilities	316,666		215,214
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Assets held in funded deferred compensation plan	5,359	[1]	5,029	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents	32,639	[4]	43,459	[4]
Insurance deposits	28,466	[5]	31,720	[5]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Investments in auction rate securities	12,994	[2]	17,780	[2]
Contingent consideration liability	1,642	[6]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring Basis | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Financial Instruments [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	4	[3]
Interest rate swap	154	[3]	214	[3]
Line of credit	$ 314,870	[7]	$ 215,000	[7]

[1] Represents investments held in a Rabbi Trust associated with our OneSource Deferred Compensation Plan, which we include in "Other assets" on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the assets held in the funded deferred compensation plan is based on quoted market prices. See Note 11, "Employee Benefit Plans," for more information.

[2] For investments in auction rate securities, the fair values were based on discounted cash flow valuation models, primarily utilizing unobservable inputs. See Note 6, "Auction Rate Securities," for the roll-forwards of assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs and the sensitivity analysis of significant inputs.

[3] Includes derivatives designated as hedging instruments. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are estimated based on the present value of the difference between expected cash flows calculated at the contracted interest rates and the expected cash flows at current market interest rates using observable benchmarks for LIBOR forward rates at the end of the period. The fair value of the interest rate swap asset and liabilities were included in "Other investments and long-term receivables" and "Retirement plans and other," respectively, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. See Note 10, "Line of Credit," for more information.

[4] Cash and cash equivalents are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value.

[5] Represents restricted insurance deposits that are used to collateralize our self-insurance obligations and are stated at nominal value, which equals fair value. These insurance deposits relate to the OneSource Services Inc. ("OneSource") acquisition.

[6] Our contingent consideration liability was incurred in connection with the acquisition of BEST. The contingent consideration liability is measured at fair value and is included in "Retirement plans and other" on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The fair value is based on a pre-defined forecasted adjusted income from operations for BEST using a probability weighted income approach and discounted using a proxy of our fixed borrowing rate. See Note 4, "Acquisitions," for further information.

[7] Represents outstanding borrowings under our $650.0 million five-year syndicated line of credit. Due to variable interest rates, the carrying value of outstanding borrowings under our line of credit approximates the fair value. See Note 10, "Line of Credit," for more information.