Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended								3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jan. 31, 2010 Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2011 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Nov. 22, 2002 Senior Notes Due 2012 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]	Sep. 03, 2003 Senior Notes Due 2013 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2011 Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Mar. 16, 2004 Senior Notes Due 2014 [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 5.95% and 4.95% Senior Notes [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 5.95% and 4.95% Senior Notes [Member]
Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes (Textuals) [Abstract]
Repurchase of senior notes in open market purchases	$ 48,437,000	$ 36,064,000		$ 45,100,000									$ 35,500,000
Write-off of unamortized issuance costs				3,400,000	3,400,000
Premium/loss paid and other debt redemption costs													700,000	700,000
Interest rate on Senior Notes			8.25%	6.875%	6.875%	6.875%	5.95%	5.95%	5.95%	4.95%	4.95%	4.95%
Redemption of Senior Notes			$ 47,900,000	$ 150,200,000	$ 150,200,000		$ 108,400,000			$ 32,000,000
Cash redemption price of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest effective rate			100.00%