I suppose it would be different for different types of jobs. At least in WA and AK, it's common for low-skilled industrial workers to work sixty and sometimes seasonal eighty-hour weeks. You get paid overtime for anything above forty.The added overtime would make these jobs more appealing.

Go for the Gusto!


7x12 hours. Three weeks on, three weeks off.

I did that packaging granola bars 7pm to 7am. Good times.

As a resident physician I regularly worked 36 to 38 hour shifts and 100 to 110 hours per week. Often I would get at least a couple hours of sleep but I recall having twelve 36+ hour shifts (in the ICU or CCU) where I did not even see the call room let alone get any sleep. This was every 4th night call. So work schedule was 36 hours on/ 12 off/ 12 on /12 off/ 12 on / 12 off/ 36 on. It did cut down on the commute a little I suppose bc/ every 4th day you just skipped one trip home and back. And to think the lives of very sick people on life support were in my weary hands!

When I was in med school, the surgery program there had an ICU rotation for the interns where they were on call every other night so it was basically 38 hours on/ 10 off/ 38 hour on... Most of these people were from out of town and had family come into town to live at their apt. or hired people to take care of their affairs for the month.

Now residencies theoretically limit hours to no more than 80 per week and not more than 30 hours straight.

I've worked odd hours sometimes. Some things I loved, some things I didn't. I used to work a night shift at a deli. It was nice to do my shopping at 2 am when there were no crowds around, and to have the days free. OTOH, it was a real drag on my social life, since all my friends socialized in the evenings, while I was at work.

I sometimes work evenings and weekends, and I like the peace of a quiet office. But there are drawbacks. If the network goes down, there's no one to fix it. And the building is often physically uncomfortable, since they turn off the heat/air conditioning outside regular work hours. There are also security issues, like the superior with a drinking problem came in late in order to grope me, knowing I would be alone.

absolutely, damac. I ride four days a week to school...it's absolutely liberating. I've not been in my car much at all lately other than for long-range travel.

I recommend it if it's viable for you, whether biking or scootering or something.

Of course, biking is best for you, but even the scooter, once you get used to it, it really is not that hard. Get some panniers/scooter storage though!

Been riding an Aprillia Scarabeo 50cc scoot ever since a friend in the oil industry said gas is going to the moon shortly. I get 90mpg and the insurance is 102.00 per year. cheap cheap cool down after working 12 on 2 off 8hr shfts.
OCB