yup, I was on midnights at work ( 11:00 - 7:00 ). I was able to go to second shift, so I took the opportunity, I am recently married and like to be home every night

well, I was on that shift for about 2 months and now I am being "bumped" back to midnights :( here we go again, no matter how much sleep I get on that shift, I still always feel tired as hell, and have no ambition to do anything at all. I hate being the low guy in seniority, and the factory I work at has little to no turnover. Nobody wants to quit because the pay is extremly good in the area + full benefits and 401K. Bottom line is that you can't really go anywhere else around here and make more money without a college education, and even then, it can be hard to do.

I figure I will able to finally get to day shift and stay there in about 10 more years

the human body was created to function during daylight, not much you can do about that :? . that sucks for you man, i hear ya though

Where I work at we run a 24 hour operation as well. Since I got on board from the very beginning, they gave me the choice of shift, and I took first (though 3rd pays 2 bux an hour more, I cant see that being worth a good sleep). I'm quite happy...but I got shafted to working every weekend shortly after accepting. Which is no biggie...as compensation, I work 4-9 hour days, and get paid for a 40-hour workweek

I can relate. I would like to change careers but it is hard to find something that pays me as much as I make without a college degree. Perhaps someone will retire soon and you can get the desired time slot you seek.

Which should be a point taken by the younger people on here. If you want to make good money in life get your education!!! I got married when I was right out of high school and started my family. I tried going back but it was too hard to work full time, raise a child alone and attend school. Now that I have the time I don't have to money. Go to school while you're still young and be done with it.

This is one area where I am very fortunate with my job. They will pay %100 of any schooling ( including books ) that I take that could advance my career through them. I have plans of taking some classes soon and later on becoming an extrusion technician.

There are 18 extruder operators at my shop, I am number 17 in seniority, but I have been doing this for 3 years now and I can run circles around people that have been doing this for 20 or more years The current extrusion techs that we have are extremly impressed with my work and I have even talked to them about getting a tech position in the future and they said I would be a great candidate. There are two of the techs in our shop, and I figure one will retire in maybe 10 - 15 years which will give me enough experience to feel comfortable moving up.

Huhtamaki ( Hoo - ta - mah - kee ) is a worldwide corporation based in Finland ( not china )in packaging with plants in Europe, South America, China and of course USA. The plant that I work in has the techs and they will travel to any plant that needs them to set up new equipment or fix problems. I am really hoping that I can get into this postion later, and I am confident that I will.

Funny, when I was on 3rds years ago I loved it. It actually took me a long time to get used to not being on it anymore.
Ofcourse it helped that I still lived at home then, just me an dmom, and she worked days so the house was quiet and my window faced west so I was ablw to keep the room pretty dark.
Hope something works out and you can get the shift you want.

3rds eh? well just keep working hard and good things will be just around the corner for you.

%The hardest part I had working 3rd was the transition to a daytime schedule for my days off and then back to 3rds. Eventually I just kept to the 3rd shift schedule and that helped alot. It was ruff on the marriage thou.

Hi. Just thought I'd put my opinion on this subject. As far a Ryan being sent to 3rds again, it does really suck. Out of four years of being with him, I have spent 3 1/2 years sleeping by myself. It sucks to say this but I am more used to having the bed to myself than I am sharing it. It took me almost the whole two months to get used to sharing it with him. Almost as soon as I did he got bumped. Needless to say I haven't been sleeping very well the last few days and that makes it even harder on my body including being almost 8 months pregnant and doubling my working hours a week. It is hard on me but I don't complain to him b/c there'* nothing he can do about it and I know he hates never being able to see me as it is. I pray for the day he gets a better shft and stays there. That'* all I can do for now. No sense in making it harder on him when all he is trying to do is provide for his family.

He'* a good man and husband and I am sure he'll be a great father and I am grateful for what I do have and don't dwell on the things I don't or can't have.

Most people would be thrilled to have the bed to themselves... j/k..

It'll work out.. I know a few couples that had the same issue. Weekends and other time becomes very important.