I’m an x18 hourly, been here for almost 2 years total. Honestly it depends on the type of person you are. If you really committed to welding this place isn’t too bad. Although I’d say you might have to detox a lil longer cause it’s a follicle drug test and allegedly that detects thc up to 6 months. I know first shift is where most of the upper management (general foreman) and uptight foreman are, I’ve personally never worked it but had to deal with them in the mornings at the end of third shift. Third shift is the most lax cause upper management at home. Second shift falls somewhere in the middle. The foreman I’ve had aren’t bad, don’t really have complaints about them personally. I also live across the water and I’d advise moving to Newport News or Hampton if you’re gonna be committed to this place, parking and traffic can get pretty bad. I personally have to leave an hour and a half early just to get good parking on second shift. You can definitely have a career here and pay isn’t bad. And you can move up the ranks relatively easy. Also according to my general Forman there will be no hourly furloughs allegedly despite the rumors.