Speaking on behalf of some pointed-end drivers, I'd be happy with 2 days ON, 2 nights ON, 4 OFF. It's a might sight better than 6 On 2 off 5 ON. etc. etc. The 6 ON being random day/night and forever changing, with only a couple of nights at home per week.Productivity would not be effetced, with efficient rostering. Everybody would be happier including the rosters, crewers and crews. Now there's a novel idea. It's what everybody wants, mutual happiness, yet somehow it is still a holy grail lost in the desert. Mysteries?
There was a studious report published a couple of years ago. The conclusion was that if crews wanted to achieve any kind of reasonable family life it was vital to remove absolute control of rostering from the rostering dept. It had to have crew input, and that does not mean management review afterwards to check the legality of it. CAP 371 is acknowledged by CAA as being an absolute limit and not a protection against fatigue without common sense use. Crews being treated like machines will break down. The a/c are better maintained than the crew. Crew get their repairs done on a 'life' basis (CAP 371), not 'on condition'. If the latter were true in the present climate of work patterns, many crew would be in for various transplants and adrenelin implants.
Never forget, the crews have a long career in mind with an employer. Perhaps they have a deeper vested interest than anyone for a strong future. They are not about to milk the cow and kill the goose. Equally they do not thrive on sweat shop conditions, as does no-one else in the aviation chain. If pushed too hard they will break, leave and that has benfited nobody, least of all the company. A happy work force costs very little but is a valuable longterm investment that the bean counters can not put a price on, so ignore it.
Might aviation go the same route as teachers, doctors and nurses, police etc? Pushed too hard into a life style that is not worth it, so no one joins.
If only crews, crewers and rosters could get together, I'm sure they would all find they had a common goal and life would improve for everyone. Why not give it a try and remove the frictional atmosphere. It must be hell going to work a night shift knowing you are not going to enjoy it.
Good luck.