now, load out usually takes anywhere from 6 to 10 hours depending on how easy or hard the building is to get out of. (where the loading docks are and how many there are is usually the biggest factor) so a load out will finish in the wee small hours of a monday morning, then we drag ourselves back to the train for a much earned shower and sleep and a wonderful train run. load in will be in that tuesday starting in the morning - around 6 or 7 and last into the night.
now, there's a small crew that doesn't do the train run, but instead do what's called an "overland" which just means that they go by bus to the next city, ahead of the train. (we realize that both train AND bus do indeed go OVER land, but that's just what we call it, so there)
the purpose of this is to do what's known as Pre-Rig. department heads and whoever signs up to help or is needed (i'm not entirely sure the exact personnel, i think it rotates week to week...) all go on the overland for pre-rig which leaves right after load out.
6 am - finish load out
9:15 - bus from New York to Philadelphia (where i'm at now)
3:00 pm - pre-rig in Philly.
so, essentially, anyone crew member doing an overland is almost working/up for 2 days straight just about every week! :/
that's a little nuts - they are put up in hotels (since the train isn't there) and i think, they're given a meal allowance.
still - crazy.
finally get some sleep on monday night, get up to load in for usually 12 or more hours on tuesday.
simply nuts
