Since I know this is a topic near and dear to the heart of CRZ, I figured I'd ask....how many of you out there are stuck on the third shift currently? My best friend and I both are, different companies, although I'm (supposedly) switching to a 5am-1pm shift soon. It's funny, though, you start worrying about when places open, rather than close. I know a bar near me that opens at 8am, god bless 'em. Nothing funnier than having a Rolling Rock after work next to one of those all-day-drinking alcoholics who's already had 5 or 6 before 9am.
ironcladlou
"I am made from the dust of the stars, and the oceans flow in my veins"
I think "stuck" is a rather harsh way of putting it - I'm near or at the top in seniority, but I still choose the grave just because I'm a big fan of (a) not being bothered and (b) writing reports on company time ;-)
When I first got hired on at AT&T, they had third shift, but I couldn't get it because of seniority. Eventually they eliminated that and the 4p-1a I was working too, so now all employees have to report to work sometime between 7 and 10 in the morning.
"Nobody loves the custodian. I come and I sweep and vacuum for you. When you're in the mood to go to the bathroom, I even disinfect it for you! This is the thanks I get?!? All who defy me shall be dis-infected!"
I still choose the grave just because I'm a big fan of (a) not being bothered
That's the reason anytime I take a job that might require overnight work, I rejoice!
I MUCH prefer working when nobody else is. Even though you're not being supervised, I find I get a helluva lot more accomplished over that time period, AND get more time to screw around.
I had a job one summer to burn CDs for an Internet radio company that was getting set to launch - and they wanted me on overnights since all the computers were in use all day. Now THIS is the most boring job on the face of the planet, and I'd be suicidal if working daytime. Overnight however, I'd have the television, N64 that belonged to the guy who couldn't afford babysitting so brought his kid in, and that kind of stuff. Every 20 minutes I'd turn around and put another CD in.
I saw the guys during the day on a few occassions. They had to sit there - and either stare at the screen, make small talk with anyone who wasn't busy, or in a scenario where no one important was going to be around, they could get away with reading a book.
It all depends on the job. I've worked third shift in a factory (assembling cellurlar phones of all things) which was the same as first shift.
I've also worked third shift as a cashier at a little gas station, which quite frankly, is downright terrifying. It's like having a "crackheads, please rob me" sign out front. You need to have balls of steel to do that. And a bulletproof vest would also be a bonus.
My favorite shift is 12-8 or 11-7. There are so many reasons why this shift rules 1) because I'm not a morning person 2) because it skewes your lunch break so if you want to run errands or go out to eat it isn't crowded (but stuff is still open) 3) because you get 2 or 3 hours of "alone at work" time (which is nice, I don't really need more), 4) because you miss rush hour both ways 5) because you can still get home in time for Wrestling (or whatever other shows you want to watch) 6) because you'll wake up at about the same time you want to wake up on the weekend, so your schedule doesn't get all messed up.
I gues that would be like the 1.5 shift. That's the one for me.
Moe
(edited by MoeGates on 13.2.02 1223)
Farooq is the man so hit your knees and start praying!
Zed, if I didn't have a wife and child, this shift would be perfect for me. In fact, I used to do newspaper bundle delivery on this shift, driving big ol' bread trucks FULL of Sunday papers, and I loved it. Now, my family is trying to demand so much of my time that it just doesn't work for me anymore. I do love not having anybody to bother me, however. The shift I'm moving to is 5a-1p, which I suppose would be a .75th shift. I still get that time in the morning by myself, and getting out at 1, I get the whole f'n day to myself. Until I crash at 7pm, that is. Only thing that pisses me off is I'll have to get up at 3:30am, because I have an hour commute to the office.
ironcladlou
"I am made from the dust of the stars, and the oceans flow in my veins"
I used to work stocking a toy store on 3rd shift, once over a summer and once during the November/December shopping blitz. Obviously, the summer was better, due to the fact there were 20 fewer people on duty and you didn't hae to refill the entire freaking store. Plus, you had a lot more time to do important things like play Tekken for an hour at a shot or race bikes arond the store. And hey! No customers!
Summers are actually just as bad, if not worse, for retail as the holidays are where I live. Fucking tourists. If I could, I'd escort each and every one of them to the bridges with a shotgun. Tell 'em not to come back.
ironcladlou
"I am made from the dust of the stars, and the oceans flow in my veins"
I've worked graveyard for the last year and a half, and assuming I stay at this job [I've been working here for nearly six years] I will probably be on it for the rest of my time here. A lot of my coworkers have been here at least 10 years longer than I have. My shift is 10 PM to 6:30 AM. It's considered "first shift" here, because we're just screwy that way. Unfortunately, it's similar to a factory job, so you can't loaf quite as much, and I have no computer access. It goes pretty quick, and there's some decent stuff on the radio. Graveyard shift during the weekends sucks, though.
The afternoon shift is 1:30 PM to 10:00 PM, and that would be miserable. I used to work that shift [though back when I was on it the hours were 2:30 to 11] and got onto nights as soon as I got a chance. At least I have a few hours to do things now, though I agree it's really weird having to wait for stores to open. I had a long weekend this week so my sleep kind of got screwed up, but normally I try to keep the same sleep schedule during my days off.
They've recently phased out the morning shift to save money and to have more time to do maintenance on equipment. The old timers all got on the day shift because it was like having a job with regular hours. Now they're all having to get on the afternoon or night shifts, and I know they're all going to be a joy to work with. They start this weekend.
But at least we don't have to deal with customers...I could not handle that at all.
Bill Savage went over to the (Stu Hart) house and one of the Hart kids was running around with his hair wet. Savage asked why his hair was wet. Stu said, "The little bastard broke a vase this morning, so I stuck his head in the toilet. Want me to show you again?" From the Ring Around the Northwest newsletter