THinking about the overnight shift at work...

[mcox]

Hey Nick,

I believe I saw in one of your posting where you work however I'm not sure so... If you are at DFW, how busy would you be is a factor I would consider. If you work where I think you do and based on being "stuck" for a year I would assume a CBA is in place so other things may affect the deciding process. The no management around thing is a huge plus. You will readjust in terms of sleeping pattern and others have made the point it may take you awhile. I always looked at it like this-my 8 hour period of work time is simply a different time of day. Driving to and from work tends to be not as big a PITA as it normally is. Living where you live it also may not be nearly as hot. Again, that no management thing comes into play. Age of your child(ren) is a factor. What the boss thinks about it and if she is willing to adjust as well. If you are working a "normal" 5 day work week then you get out off work Friday morning, good thing, but have to return late Sunday night/early Monday morning, could be a bad thing. Understanding that you are still wanting to do your detailing, you would have the time in the am hours to bang out a car or two. I suppose my point is that there are many good thing as well as many bad(?) things about working the third shift. Consider all pros and cons, talk with your family, and understand that it may turn out to be something you really enjoy. My 2 cents.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

Thanks for all of your thoughts on this guys!

My schedule is 6 days on, 3 off. So, that may play a factor in my decision.
I work at Love Field, so the air traffic isn't anything like DFW. Napping on the job is not something that is encouraged, as I'm sure you knew. But it isn't something looked down upon either. If we are slow, and there is nothing going on, then no one really cares(I worked the 3rd shift for about 2 years when I first came into this ofice).

Yes I do hae a little girl(just turned 7), but she is a momma's girl, and could care less if I'm there or not But even still, she is in bed by 8:30, so spending time with her would not be lost.
My only concern is sleeping during the day. When I originally did the overnight shifts, I was a single guy. So I could sleep whever I wanted, and had nobody around to wake me up.

I'm still considering this decision. Both sides have their pro's and con's. Just need to nail down whats more important.

[TXShine]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

It seems to me you already have a good thing/schedule going, I wouldn’t mess with it. I worked a night shift once, felt horrible for a couple of months and felt I had no home life and everything just seemed screwy. I decided the job wasn’t worth all the negatives that came with it.

I have no doubt you can do it, if that’s what you decide. Keep in mind at this point you don’t know how your going to respond to the change, not to mention how your family will respond. And when our minds, bodies and relationships aren’t right the things that we enjoy sometimes become not so enjoyable anymore, so be careful.


I wish you all the best in your decision.

[RacerX88]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

I worked third shift during one Christmas season at the major toy retailer. Never did third shift again. I can relate to feeling like a zombie!

[geert dr]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

DONT DO IT MATE !!!!!

I am doing nightshift for about 4,5 years now and it messes up every aspect of your life !

[new2detailing]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

I worked exclusively midnights when I was in Law Enforcement. If you are single, the schedule can work, but it becomes increasingly difficult once you put a family in the picture. I had difficultly trying to "catch-up" on sleep on my days off and had to completely change when I ate( your internal body clock doesn't respond well to heavy meals in the middle of the night). The first day back after having several days off was brutal and I felt the same way whether I had ample sleep prior to the shift or no sleep prior to the shift. I work 3pm -11pm now and while I miss family time during the week, I am able to take my kids to school, exercise, eat right, and have a relatively healthy lifestyle. ( something I could not say several years ago)

[new2detailing]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

Oh, and another thing. I had to avoid having caffeine past a certain time, because it would keep me up when I returned home. Is the extra money worth the decrease in your quality of life? For me personally, I will take the reduction in pay to live healthier.Just my 2 cents

[Mike Phillips]

Re: THinking about the overnight shift at work...

I worked a 12 hour graveyard shift for years and when you're young it's doable if you get right to bed when you get home and get your sleep in. Dark out the windows so there's now sunlight or any light as your body manufactures certain chemicals/substances only when you sleep in the dark.

My dad worked graveyard as a Police Officer and I remember having to be quiet in the house when he was sleeping, that can be tough for little kids...

As you get older as already mentioned, not as easy to do with a family.