Thread: Shift work

Army MP - always shift work. Typical was three 12-hour days; 24 hours off; three 12 hour nights; 24 hours off.

In Germany they added 72 hours straight (8-hours daytime and 4-om/4-off the other 16 hours) followed by 72 hours off.

I never knew what day it was and usually didn't know what time it was; been blessed by being able to fall asleep anytime, anywhere, when I choose. Can you believe they gave me a loaded pistol AND a loaded rifle?

Originally Posted by rhensley

I don't know about other folks but when I was working and got off and had to go to sleep fast rest good and get up and get after it again . Well there's nothing like a little brown pill. ambin. better living through chemistry.

Never taken a sleeping pill in my life, not that I'm against them, but the doctors here rarely prescribe anything like that unless it's a last resort.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

Army MP - always shift work. Typical was three 12-hour days; 24 hours off; three 12 hour nights; 24 hours off.

In Germany they added 72 hours straight (8-hours daytime and 4-om/4-off the other 16 hours) followed by 72 hours off.

I never knew what day it was and usually didn't know what time it was; been blessed by being able to fall asleep anytime, anywhere, when I choose. Can you believe they gave me a loaded pistol AND a loaded rifle?

I can barely push a button and total my production numbers at the end of some nights.
The thought of having a gun and having to make life or death decisions in that state is terrifying

I'm currently vacation/sick leave relief, so "hours will vary daily and weekly". I'm a night owl, so the only time it's difficult is when I've got to clock in about 2:30am. Goin in at 9pm or 5 am isn't nearly as tough, for whatever reason.

I've never had a life anyway, and no children, so my solution is simple. Hard reset of sleep schedule. When my next shift is different, I work backwards from the time I clock in. For example, if I go from 9am to 7pm sanitation to 2:45a-10:45a production with a day off in between (they aren't complete A-holes, +union agreement).

Now the math.
2:45a - 1hr 30min = 1:15am wake up time.
1:15am - 8hrs sleep (yea, right!) = 5~ish pm bedtime.
So, clocked out @7pm for sanitation, already passed bedtime 5pm. This means a nap of NO MORE than 3 and a half hours shortly after getting home from work, then staying up until the designated bedtime for next shift.

It works.

I'm tired as hell, have no energy for chores after about 18-20hrs of being awake, and it also becomes dangerous to drive at about that benchmark. That means many of my days off are a wash. I stay up by means of things that keep my brain active, but don't require much energy at all. Primarily: I play Battlefield on Xbox 360. Tv isn't interactive enough; I'll pass out.

It's a hell of a lot better than the 3 part time jobs I had before this one, where everybody wants you on the weekend. Friday morning through Sunday night was a 36hr workday, for roughly minimum wage.

Now, I'm required to get at least 8 or 12hrs between shifts. And with pay over $18/hr, I'll plunge toilets all day every day. With a smile, if they ask me to... but they have to ask for that.

Worked for 24 years working mostly the midnight shift. Got off at 8 and stayed up all day until 4-6 pm. Went to bed and got up at 11 to go to work. You had to stay busy during the day though or else got sleepy too early and messed up your routine. Didn't take too many days off as that messed up your routine. Lots of overtime and mostly worked 28 days each month. Money was good though and I managed to save quite a bit. Was able to retire comfortably at 55 years of age and not busted up and still able to do stuff. That was 10 years ago. Still happily retired and still not working. Traveling and enjoying the grand kids!

Had a joke at home:

Kids: Mom.......who is that man?

Mom: It's your father dear!


Mike

Originally Posted by rhensley

I don't know about other folks but when I was working and got off and had to go to sleep fast rest good and get up and get after it again . Well there's nothing like a little brown pill. ambin. better living through chemistry.

Sorta confirms my suspicion that drugs were needed to enjoy shift work.

Bob

Originally Posted by Crawler

I'm currently vacation/sick leave relief, so "hours will vary daily and weekly". I'm a night owl, so the only time it's difficult is when I've got to clock in about 2:30am. Goin in at 9pm or 5 am isn't nearly as tough, for whatever reason.

I've never had a life anyway, and no children, so my solution is simple. Hard reset of sleep schedule. When my next shift is different, I work backwards from the time I clock in. For example, if I go from 9am to 7pm sanitation to 2:45a-10:45a production with a day off in between (they aren't complete A-holes, +union agreement).

Now the math.
2:45a - 1hr 30min = 1:15am wake up time.
1:15am - 8hrs sleep (yea, right!) = 5~ish pm bedtime.
So, clocked out @7pm for sanitation, already passed bedtime 5pm. This means a nap of NO MORE than 3 and a half hours shortly after getting home from work, then staying up until the designated bedtime for next shift.

It works.

I'm tired as hell, have no energy for chores after about 18-20hrs of being awake, and it also becomes dangerous to drive at about that benchmark. That means many of my days off are a wash. I stay up by means of things that keep my brain active, but don't require much energy at all. Primarily: I play Battlefield on Xbox 360. Tv isn't interactive enough; I'll pass out.

It's a hell of a lot better than the 3 part time jobs I had before this one, where everybody wants you on the weekend. Friday morning through Sunday night was a 36hr workday, for roughly minimum wage.

Now, I'm required to get at least 8 or 12hrs between shifts. And with pay over $18/hr, I'll plunge toilets all day every day. With a smile, if they ask me to... but they have to ask for that.

I'm in the middle of nightshift right now so the maths involved in that are too much for me lol
Thankfully my shifts are 12hrs 8 until 8

Originally Posted by mglindo

Worked for 24 years working mostly the midnight shift. Got off at 8 and stayed up all day until 4-6 pm. Went to bed and got up at 11 to go to work. You had to stay busy during the day though or else got sleepy too early and messed up your routine. Didn't take too many days off as that messed up your routine. Lots of overtime and mostly worked 28 days each month. Money was good though and I managed to save quite a bit. Was able to retire comfortably at 55 years of age and not busted up and still able to do stuff. That was 10 years ago. Still happily retired and still not working. Traveling and enjoying the grand kids!

Had a joke at home:

Kids: Mom.......who is that man?

Mom: It's your father dear!


Mike

Love it Mike, retired at 55, you're living the dream

I've been working shift work for the last 7 years. the Current schedule is four 12 hr. nights then five off then five 12 hr days then four days off five 12hr nights then five off. I'm a prick apparently on night shift so my wife tells me I can't get anything done at home working these hours and as far as my family is concerned I'm pretty much not there. I have four hours a day to myself that usually involves a shower, shave, eating the other 8 hours if I'm lucky I try to sleep.

I use this sleepyti.me bedtime calculator to help me transition my days/nights it definitely helps keep me from feeling like crap but apparently it does nothing for my personality though...

Typical day starting night shift on my first night in I sleep 3-4 hours before hand and on my last night of that shift I sleep 3-4 hrs to get back to a normal life -

Thankfully I've got a relatively understanding wife who gives me a bit of slack if I'm sharp with her, unfortunately the kids don't really understand and then I feel awful for being sharp with them. Especially as I don't see them at all when I'm on days.
The things we do for money eh!