I had a similar position where I worked either M-W or Th-Sa, 7-7. Then one Sunday a month I worked 7-7. In addition, we swapped days with another team. So one month, at the end of the month, I'd work M-W and Th-Sa (in other words, 6 days in a row). The next month, at the end of the month, I'd work Th-Sa, (sunday possible), skip M-W, skip Th-Sa, (sunday possible), then work M-W.

In other words I'd have a week off every other month.

I was paid about the same as when I commuted into the city and spent 13 hours a day away from home, M-F. Difference with the 12 hour shifts were that I could ride my bike there/back and be away from the house the same 13 hours a day. Hours also meant when I drove there was no traffic. My commute took me less than 20 minutes.

I had 4 days a week off, and due to my performance at work, I never worked a Sunday during the swap week. So I always had 9 days off in a row every other month.

This was in addition to the 20 total personal/vacation/sick days we got (which were cut down to 14 because we really worked 1.5 days per day). I never had to take a day off.

I spent the extra days helping out at my friend's high end garage (for free - but got to work on Ferarris, Maseratis, Lotus (Loti?), old BMW, and then our own cars (Saab, VW). Tons of fun. And I trained and blah blah blah.

When my city job called me to get me back, I said "Hey, I work 3 days a week, same hours as if I went into the City. If I go into the City, that's like working 2 more days - 66% more hours I have to work each week. Plus the train fare ($6k pre taxes or something). Plus I wouldn't quit unless I got at least a 20% raise." i.e. I would leave if they paid me for each day of work (5 days/wk) what I was getting for 3 days/wk.

I was asking for 66% more money, plus $6k, plus 20% more as a raise. They came within 1% of that number without asking me what that number was.

So I took the stinkin job like a money lovin' fool.

And regretted it within a month (I happened to start just before spring hit). 80-90 minutes each way, parking garage for car, train, walk to office (later a subway ride to office), get back without easily being able to ride right away (not going to leave bike and gear in car at parking garage).

I like days off and working long hours better than working 'regular' hours and not having as many days off.

So I'd stay with your current schedule.

This is only taking into account your hours. It doesn't take into account political or other work related things when thinking about hours. If you sacrifice some long term work stuff it may not be worth it.

hope this helps,
cdr