I agree WWW,
There is a committee of flight deck and cabin crew at each ezy base that puts together activities such as horse or dog racing, go-karting, kareokee, balls, parties and the like throughout the year and as crew you don't have to pay for it.
If you have no social life you need to stop being lazy, talk to, interact with and generally make the effort with the people at work.
For me the biggest thing would be if you spend all day moaning about your lot, your crew certainly arn't going to want to see you when they are not being paid for it! Change the record!
Like most I moved to where I'm now based and so knew few people. There are many in the same boat, they are all up for a few jars.
The shift problem is impossible to solve though, but as WWW said the fixed pattern makes it much better than most.
Quattro