CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 194,037	$ (4,982)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	301,681	311,160
Lease termination and impairment charges	24,034	34,292
Gain from lease termination	(8,750)
LIFO charges	60,000	27,502
Gain on sale of assets, net	(16,396)	(19,267)
Stock-based compensation expense	12,194	12,872
Loss on debt retirements, net	62,443	17,842
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	79,895	95,732
Inventories	(206,408)	13,055
Accounts payable	25,160	55,498
Other assets and liabilities, net	(19,972)	55,533
Net cash provided by operating activities	507,918	599,237
Investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment	(255,269)	(233,195)
Intangible assets acquired	(64,605)	(45,659)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	3,989	6,355
Proceeds from dispositions of assets and investments	14,157	27,744
Proceeds from lease termination	8,750
Proceeds from insured loss	6,138
Net cash used in investing activities	(286,840)	(244,755)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,310,000	426,263
Net payments to revolver	(75,000)	(136,000)
Principal payments on long-term debt	(1,332,528)	(479,147)
Change in zero balance cash accounts	(10,161)	(43,507)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	24,881	1,103
Payments for the repurchase of preferred stock	(21,034)
Financing fees paid for early debt redemption	(45,636)	(11,069)
Deferred financing costs paid	(17,840)	(10,769)
Net cash used in financing activities	(167,318)	(253,126)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	53,760	101,356
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	129,452	162,285
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	183,212	263,641
Supplementary cash flow data:
Cash paid for interest (net of capitalized amounts of $163 and $319, respectively)	313,302	311,026
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds	2,283	3,515
Equipment financed under capital leases	15,023	7,251
Equipment received for noncash consideration	1,588	2,636
Preferred stock dividends paid in additional shares	8,318	7,837
Gross borrowings from revolver	1,915,000	293,000
Gross repayments to revolver	$ 1,990,000	$ 429,000