Worked the 2days 2nights 12hr shift pattern (I recall it was called the continental shift pattern) for years and really enjoyed it.
2days 0700hrs - 1900hrs then 2nights 1900hrs - 0700hrs the swing from day to night was like a day off for me I'd get up around 0700hrs and have an afternoon kip (2 hours or so) before heading in for my first night shift. after my first night shift I'd sleep all day then back in for second night shift. After second night shift I'd sleep till around 1000 or 1100hrs then get up and have a 'normal' day then enjoy another three off. Seemed to me like I was hardly at work. Trouble with this system is it is manpower hungry and can actually cost the employer a bit more than other shift patterns. We were also able to maximise our annual leave by just taking 4 shifts off we had almost two weeks (12 days) to go off on our jollies. Overtime was good when we covered others leave it would mean either doing 4days 2nights or 2days 4nights depending on which pattern we were on.
I've worked in aviation all my adult life, what's a weekend? I'd much rather have time off when others are working it's much easier to get around town and such like.