Good question. Personally I prefer a twelve hour pattern. The benefits of this far outway the negatives. My reasons are too numerous to mention, although the two prime reasons are days off for days worked and if you're working an 8.5 hour day anyway, an extra 3.5 doesn't matter too much IMHO.
I've also seen some of the riduculous roster patterns for a shorter working day, which not only seem to be confused but gain you too few days off at the end!
Certainly have to agree that the EU will have some influence on our working day. Although aren't transport workers exempt from certain EU regulations, including that of hours in a working day?
12 hour shifts and proper breaks....that'll do.
[This message has been edited by Stirling (edited 25 June 2001).]