I don't know what shift workers in ground handling or other industries you dreamers are talking about, but after 12 years in various industries doing shift work I've rarely come across anyone doing nice little 4 on 4 off patterns. In my previous employment, I worked 6 on 1 off, and each one a 12 hour shift. Currently I work for a UK ground handler, with a pattern of 5 out of 7 worked. No guarantee of successive days off, or any maximum number of days worked between days off, nor any maximum working day. Shift patterns have no pattern - a night shift can be followed by a 1500 start the very same day after finishing at 0700, and earlies (0500) routinely follow lates (2330).
Personally, I cannot wait to start with my first airline position in a couple of months. At least from then on I get paid a reasonable wage in relation to what I am used to, I get a month's notice of my rosters, and blocks of time off, with a maximum number of days on shift in between. Absolute bliss.
I appreciate things ought to be better, but some of you clearly haven't had a hard paper round in life.
