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as a pilot, we'd get as much rest as we could. the only time we'd go out was if we had a significant amount of time on an overnight. the term is called being a "slam clacker" (door slams, and door lock clacks...straight to bed)
on my quick turn for ATC, i go to bed. even then, your circadian rythem's are disrupted. so even though you get 8 hours of sleep, your body has a hard time adjusting. you're not tired that day, but the day after, you will be fatigued.
also, not all controllers bid their schedules. developmental controllers do not bid...they are assigned a schedule. a controller can be a developmental for up to 5 years if they're at a center. even at low traffic towers, it can take 2 years before you can bid a schedule.
I am ATC now (and i'm a developmental controller). I can say that there are different types of fatigue on both sides of the fence. After a long flying day, you were physically exhausted. after an 8 hour shift, at a level 12 center, your brain is fried. complete mental concentration. For the guys in a tower, fatigue can be caused by sitting around.
another thing to consider (as morbid as it sounds)....if a doctor is tired and accidentally kills a patient, it's one person. If a controller is tired, and puts two planes together, it's potentially hundreds of people.
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-mike
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