nobody should have to work more than 12 hours, ever. yeah I've done the 48 hour T-SQL shift too (though I can't imagine 72). it just leads to shitty work that will bite you/clients later on, probably causing other people to have to work 48 hour shifts of their own --> endless cycle. plus it covers up more fundamental problems with your and your company's processes. in a way it's actually the lazy way out.