CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2012	Nov. 26, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (4,982)	$ (207,321)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	311,160	333,381
Lease termination and impairment charges	34,292	43,748
LIFO charges	27,502	67,503
Gain on sale of assets, net	(19,267)	(7,812)
Stock-based compensation expense	12,872	11,612
Loss on debt modifications and retirements, net	17,842	17,510
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	95,732	(7,636)
Inventories	13,055	(298,936)
Accounts payable	55,498	179,925
Other assets and liabilities, net	55,533	124,067
Net cash provided by operating activities	599,237	256,041
Investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(233,195)	(146,138)
Intangible assets acquired	(45,659)	(28,090)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	6,355	2,428
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and investments	27,744	16,955
Net cash used in investing activities	(244,755)	(154,845)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	426,263	341,285
Net (repayments to) proceeds from revolver	(136,000)	163,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(479,147)	(439,553)
Change in zero balance cash accounts	(43,507)	(106,347)
Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock	1,103	566
Financing fees paid for early debt redemption	(11,069)
Deferred financing costs paid	(10,769)	(2,789)
Net cash used in financing activities	(253,126)	(43,838)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	101,356	57,358
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	162,285	91,116
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	263,641	148,474
Supplementary cash flow data:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized amounts of $319 and $240, respectively)	311,026	340,423
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds	3,515	2,911
Equipment financed under capital leases	7,251	6,476
Equipment received for noncash consideration	2,636	3,092
Preferred stock dividends paid in additional shares	7,837	7,384
Gross borrowings from revolver	293,000	1,629,000
Gross repayments to revolver	$ 429,000	$ 1,466,000