Well, for starters, ShotOne, it may well have been.
The FAA for example under 14CFR121, allows a 24 hours duty period for an augmented crew...2 Captains, one First Officer, two Flight Engineers.
Just off hand I can't remember the allowed number of landings, but if memory serves correctly, 4.
I personally know of only one crew that was stretched to this limit, and this was due to MX.
But, to actually roster as a matter of course, seems foolhardy to me.
Twist the tail of the tiger....expect to be severely bitten.