Yep
Typically if you are on Earlies and in a base with ok connections a lot of people do their day 5 early shift and then jumpseat home that day. Tiring to say the least! That way you might get two days at home(1 and 2 off), your last day off being spent travelling back to base.
if you are finishing Lates, you have very little choice but to jumpseat back on day 1 off and then back again on day 3 off.
It can take more than one day to jumpseat home for some people, hence making it practically impossible for people to get home. Don't kid yourself for a minute that you will be getting back to the uk anytime soon. I know guys with over 3 years in the company and still no sniff of getting back home.