Night Shifts
Heard a rumour a few years ago that Canada has a limit. About 46 IIRC.
The way I heard it was that it was discretionary; that is, if someone older actually wanted to work a night-shift (recall, whatever) they could, but nobody over the set age was required to work them, and should not be rostered for same.
No link or further info, sri.
The way I heard it was that it was discretionary; that is, if someone older actually wanted to work a night-shift (recall, whatever) they could, but nobody over the set age was required to work them, and should not be rostered for same.
No link or further info, sri.
They aren't, really. Well, not to me, anyway. (I'm getting fairly practiced at coping with them.)
They do represent a potential fatigue issue. And there are links to health issues, also, including decreased lifespan.
Like a few (usually more enjoyable) things, recovery seems to take a little longer the older you get.
They do represent a potential fatigue issue. And there are links to health issues, also, including decreased lifespan.
Like a few (usually more enjoyable) things, recovery seems to take a little longer the older you get.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i am not sure but i did hear a rumour that at MAAS, anyone over the age of 45 (i think) do not have to do night shifts if they do not want to. They can do them if they wish to do them but i think that the younger more able to cope with them are rostered the nights.
Again, i am sorry if this information is incorrect but there could be some truth to the rumour just maybe the figures are wrong.
Please correct me if there are any MAAS controllers here.
Again, i am sorry if this information is incorrect but there could be some truth to the rumour just maybe the figures are wrong.
Please correct me if there are any MAAS controllers here.
I don't think the angle of them being tougher on older people is the most important part but staff retention is. If you were able to retire in the next few years and someone told you that you did not have to work any more nights it just may keep you around a touch longer.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At Heathrow I once went for eight and a half years without working a night. On my watch those of us who detested nights equalled those who hated days so a quick swap and all was hunky dory.
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: USA
Age: 66
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not a dig.....but
.....what was there to do at night at Heathrow?
Nights are a royal PITA however my own personal bugbear is morning shifts...trailing myself out of bed at 0455 is getting harder and harder....I am 54 and can hardly WAIT to be out!
I once went for eight and a half years without working a night
Nights are a royal PITA however my own personal bugbear is morning shifts...trailing myself out of bed at 0455 is getting harder and harder....I am 54 and can hardly WAIT to be out!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<.....what was there to do at night at Heathrow?>>
Very little in Approach, apart from Mr Plod flying round London half the night. The Tower was busy when I first went there, but dwindled down to just the very rare aircraft movement plus lots of tugs and other vehicles on the airfield.
Very little in Approach, apart from Mr Plod flying round London half the night. The Tower was busy when I first went there, but dwindled down to just the very rare aircraft movement plus lots of tugs and other vehicles on the airfield.
Guest
Posts: n/a
trailing myself out of bed at 0455
I'm with eastern - it was the mornings that were the killer for me. Not been working shifts for many years now but still miss the lifestyle it offers - that more than made up for the days when I struggled out of bed in the cold and dark or needed matchsticks to keep my eyes open on a slow N.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 796
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
.....what was there to do at night at Heathrow?
In recompense though you get to work your arse off at the end of the night shift in the 6am to 7am period.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Costa del Swanwick
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
After around 25 years of nights and approaching mid 50s they are getting harder and harder to recover from. The lead up is psychologically challenging knowing that sleep deprivation is waiting for the next few days. I only manage to sleep for around 4 hours even after the 2nd night and then rarely manage later than around 8.00am 24 hours after finishing them. If there was a way out of doing them I would jump at it immediately but no chance at the moment.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: not the W.P.
Age: 70
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I suppose the question revolves round the 'safety' issue in that, is a controller over fifty, say, sufficiently recovered after one nights working to be fit for working a second,and if not, should legislation be in place to stop this?
More than just an ATCO
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Up someone's nose
Age: 75
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Depends on the shift pattern. Morning and night on the same day were the real killer for me. I needed the rest day and the 2 off days to catch up.
Just checked, Maastricht UAC has no age limit.
Just checked, Maastricht UAC has no age limit.
Last edited by Lon More; 18th Oct 2011 at 07:34.
