This is interesting.
For those that feel knackered after a cycle do you feel a four on, two off system would be easier. I know it would be difficult to adopt at a 24 hour unit, but although you don't get as many days off, they do come round sooner.
The reason I ask is that after years of four on, two off our non-24 hour unit is attempting to bring in a five watch six on-four off roster - the theory being giving the staff four days off makes it easier to get away from here!
My concern is this - only one airport ATCO is required for a night presence duty and because of this the rest of the watch will be working a combination of two mornings, two afternoons and two day shifts - in my opinion far more fatiguing than the current system. Never having worked a five watch method, I have nothing to compare it to, but on the face of it I reckon we'll be totally drained before the end of the cycle.
[This message has been edited by U R NumberOne (edited 07 July 2001).]