They eventually burn out. Like me.
I did a 24/24/24/12 shift pattern for 6 months. Yes, 24 hours a day for three days and then 12 hours rest.
Before going back to university to train as a psychotherapist, I was a vehicle technician for Jaguar/Daimler. I did my engineering apprenticeship there.
When I made the decision to change careers, I left jaguar and got a job as an AA echo recovery driver. The small van with the spectacle lift on the back
The shift pattern consisted of three men. who took it turns to be first, second and third, three men who worked 3 x 24 hour non stop shifts.
When on first, every job that came in over the radio you had to attend. If the 24 hours to got too busy, the second man would then be called out to support you. if you were both busy, the third man would be called out the help.
Being based in London, I might attend a breakdown in Chelsea and the owner lived in Norwich, a three hour drive away. Unable to repair the car roadside, I would have to hook the car onto the spectacle lift and drive the owner to his home address. Now the second man and the third man would take over to manage the London area.
The second 24 hours, I would then be the second man, On the third 24 hours I would be the third man. and so on until 72 hours later, I was then allowed a 12 hours rest.
there was no respite for any man, we were always super busy for the entire 24 hours, it didn't matter of you were first, second or third.
I was 31 years old super fit. I lasted 6 months.
I woke one night in my AA van, to the police smashing in my side window. They saw me get up and stopped smashing in the window. The copper said, Thank god you are OK, we thought you were dead, we could not wake you, we've been banging on the window for ages and decided to smash it in. and staff at the AA had not heard from you for hours.
I had pulled over on a busy road and fallen asleep.
I realised I had been in Zombie mode for 6 months and left the job immediately
Looking back this was extremely dangerous for me and other road users.
This was 38 years ago, and I am sure there are now time limits for lorry drivers and professional drivers.
the stupidity of being young and feeling invincible.
I did earn, what I thought was a lot of money. My take home pay was about £720 each week, for 72 hours, twice that of working at Jaguar.
However, when I sat down and divided the hours I worked, with the wages I earned. I really was being paid shit. like minimum wage.
720/2 = 360. £360 for 36 hours. I was earning £400 at Jaguar for 40 hours
72 hours on minimum wage seemed like a lot of money.
I basically worked two weeks hours in one week.
There is no financial benefit working extreme hours.
For the rest of my working life I did a regular 37.5 hours working week and volunteered nine hours each week in the evenings, as a therapist.