We make decisions every minute. Left or right? Chicken or fish? To speak out or remain silent? Should you accept a job application or look further? New town? New house? Some decisions are completely ordinary, while others can affect your entire life.
The decision-making process itself can affect our efficiency, ability to manage time, and even our stress levels. Let's look at what errors arise in the decision-making process and how to deal with them.
Cognitive biases that (usually) help make decisions
One part of our brain, the so-called reptilian brain, can have a huge influence on human decision-making.
He makes decisions based on habits. Moreover, a habit is a decision made in the past, which we unconsciously reproduce.
The reptilian brain makes decisions very quickly based on feelings, while the more developed part human brain involves logic. Therefore, it takes us longer to make decisions. If it's not about urgent solutions, then that's even better.
We choose what is familiar to us. If you ask a person which berries he would eat: familiar or unfamiliar, he will most likely choose the first option - for reasons of survival. We prefer everything familiar to save time and energy.
The reptilian brain works very quickly to reduce the amount of time and energy needed to make a decision. There are many other cognitive biases that can be seen in decision making. Here are three thinking mistakes that happen most often:
1. Tendency to confirm one's point of view. We often scan the news feed and select information that matches our ideas. It's the same with decisions: we determine for ourselves what information should be taken into account when making a decision based on how consonant it is with our beliefs.
2. Anchor effect- attention is paid to one aspect of the decision, which may or may not be the main factor. Example: The decision to purchase a used car is made based on the odometer reading, rather than on the condition of the engine, the car's safety features, manufacturer reliability, and other factors.
3. Tendency to self-confidence. For example, you are sure that you are on the right path, although in fact you are lost.
All these cognitive distortions, on the one hand, help make decisions faster and easier, but this does not mean that they are more effective. On the other hand, if we try to abandon them, decision-making will become a more labor-intensive process. So what should we do?
5 Ways to Overcome Mistakes and Make Good Decisions
1. Pay attention to internal sensations. If you're having a hard time making a decision, take a break and focus on how you're feeling. If you're hungry, angry at someone, tired, or feeling lonely, don't make responsible decisions. Try to do this when you are fit.
2. Consider who will be affected by your decision (or lack thereof). Sometimes, by assessing the consequences, you can make things easier for yourself and make the right choice.
3. Conduct a rational analysis. Although we sometimes intuitively make the right decisions, we need to evaluate the facts and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. If you still haven't succeeded, you might want to find more information.
4. Don't be shy about asking other people's opinions. Sometimes it's difficult to make a choice because we don't have enough data or experience. Sometimes conflicting values and priorities can get in the way. In this case, people with a different point of view will help you. Even if their opinion differs from yours, it may give you a fresh idea.
5. Think about the past. Look back and remember if you have ever found yourself in this situation before. What are the similarities? What are the differences? How did it all end? How did you make this decision, and what influenced your choice? If you analyze this, perhaps a different perspective will open up for you.
While these skills may take some time to hone, they can save you time and energy in the long run.
The process of eating on board is much more important than it might seem at first glance. There is also a psychological aspect here: food, especially tasty food, distracts from fears and anxious thoughts and can at least somehow diversify a long flight.
Lunch for Singapore International Airlines First Class passengers
Air history
When brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright boarded the world's first aircraft in 1903, no one thought of giving the aviators a thermos of hot tea and a basket of cookies to keep their spirits up during the flight.
Until the early 1930s, those wishing to travel transcontinentally had only one option - an ocean liner. But after World War I, former military pilots began carrying the first commercial passengers while carrying mail. Of course, there was no question of any in-flight service; rather, the pilots considered their passengers a “necessary evil.” However, those who ran these new commercial airlines soon realized that speed alone was not enough to entice wealthy passengers to trade the luxury cabins of ocean liners for a seat in the sky.
Then airlines began to duplicate the high standard of service provided by large sea vessels. Stewards began to wear unusual uniforms, and food was served in dishes made of the finest porcelain. But it was difficult to maintain the desired temperature of food during the flight - due to the lack of access to electricity, it was necessary to use thermoses.
During the 1940s and 1950s, with a huge increase in passenger traffic, traveler services moved closer to modern standards. At the same time, there were no differences in classes that exist now: everyone who purchased tickets was treated equally.
By the early 1960s, commercial airlines routinely worked with large catering firms. All in-flight food was prepared in huge kitchens, “food factories,” which were located near airports and operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The prepared food was loaded onto planes and then reheated on board by flight attendants.
Class approach
Modern airlines divide meals by class. First class passengers are lucky most of all - they have an extensive menu and the best service at their disposal. More “modest” service is provided in business class, while passengers in economy class can count on only a couple of set menu options (“meat and potatoes or fish with?”).
Despite this, every air traveler can order a special meal. There are several dozen of its types: low in sugar, lactose or carbohydrates, salt-free, diabetic, gluten-free, kosher, children's, vegetarian. However, if you want to order a special meal on board, you must take care of this in advance, at least 36 hours before departure. Moreover, food distribution in economy class usually begins with special meals. Therefore, those passengers who have ordered a special menu in advance receive lunch (dinner or breakfast) before others.
During long flights (for example, 8-10 hours), passengers are fed twice. How better airline and the more expensive the ticket, the higher the range and quality of on-board food, as a rule. The supplement is usually not provided, but if you come across a “kind” flight attendant, then perhaps he will make an exception for you.
Despite the delights, the airplane menu cannot be compared to the restaurant one. However, it is also different from “Stolovsky”. Cutlets, pates, sausages and frankfurters are prohibited from being served on board as perishable on many airlines. That is why traveling citizens have no choice but to be content with whole pieces of fish, meat or. As a rule, in-flight meals are first blast-frozen (which preserves the taste of the food), and then heated directly on board. If included in the menu, they are served undressed - separate sachets of mayonnaise are included. A passenger who gets food poisoning on a flight is every airline's worst nightmare.
By the way, statistics say that the most popular juice among air passengers is tomato juice. And scientists even found an explanation for this. The fact is that at altitude, the taste perception of familiar drinks and dishes changes: orange juice tastes bitter, apple juice seems too sour, and only tomato juice remains true to itself. The demand for this drink is so great that passengers sitting in the back of the plane tomato juice may not get it. Knowing the preferences of its customers, British Airways invented a special “spicy” tomato juice with the addition of Worcestershire sauce, ice and a slice of lemon. It is served in a glass with a glass rod and in all its appearance and taste resembles a full-fledged cocktail.
Haute cuisine
To pleasantly surprise passengers (especially first and business class), airlines spare no effort in creating the perfect on-board menu.
Emirates offers free aperitifs, red and white wines, beer and more to Economy Class passengers (excluding flights to Saudi Arabia). alcoholic drinks. The lunch menu may include smoked tuna, lamb brochette (charcoal-grilled lamb fillet marinated in Arabic seasonings and a mixture different varieties pepper, served with cinnamon sauce and a side of broccoli, roasted baby corn and steamed rice), and hot chocolate.
Lufthansa, together with celebrity chef Sarah Wiener, has developed a special children's menu that is available to passengers in all classes. Dishes for young tourists (up to 12 years old) are balanced: the use of sugar is kept to a minimum, if possible it is replaced with honey; If you need oil to prepare a child's lunch, then progress is underway only the best, high quality olive oil. To make eating and flying more fun, children can bring cheese snacks on a plate decorated in the form of a palette of colors.
Singapore Airlines has eight well-known experts in their field at its disposal, including British chef and owner of seven Michelin stars Gordon Ramsay. The most popular classic dish among first class passengers is Satay, skewers of chicken, lamb or beef, grilled and served with peanut sauce, fresh cucumbers and onions.
The SWISS spring in-flight menu for first and business class passengers was created under the slogan “SWISS. Try Switzerland." The dish was developed by the chef of the restaurant in the city of Zug, The Rathauskeller, Stefan Meier. He was given the task of preserving the natural flavors of vegetables, meat and fish, combining them and complementing each other. The airline assures that freshly caught fish from Lake Zug is an unearthly pleasure.
Today, there are more and more budget airlines where lunch is not included in the ticket price, which has a good effect on the cost of the flight. However, if a hungry passenger changes his mind already on board, he will be able to choose a dish from a small menu for cash. What's surprising is that most people can't refuse air lunches. Airplane food, despite criticism, often justified, is still a favorite ritual and taste of travel for many.
Photo: Singapore International Airlines, lufthansa.com, aeroflot.ru, iberia.com
Travelers often talk about their flights, make reviews and comparisons of airlines, and I most often sleep on the plane if everything is in order. At the same time, if something is wrong, I will not miss the opportunity to write an angry post. But you can’t swear all the time :) So here’s a positive story about flying with a Russian airline.
This time I flew directly from Moscow to Italy: when the trip lasts only five days, it is not rational to waste time on transfers.
1 We took off from Vnukovo. Getting there is inconvenient, the Aeroexpress train only runs once an hour, but the terminal is new and almost always, in 90% of cases, boarding will be via the jet bridge. How much more convenient is it than buses!
2 I noticed a small bump in the tail of the plane; this is not usually seen on Boeing 737s. This is equipped for Internet access during the flight! Let's see if it still works.
3 The interior of a Transaero aircraft today looks completely different from what it did a couple of years ago. In most of the planes, the “stuffing” was completely changed, the seats were replaced, or even the planes were simply updated. It has become much better, I remember their old chairs.
4 There was a blanket on each seat: airlines usually don’t provide this on short flights: the flight to Milan is a little over three hours.
5 The distance between my legs and the chair in front. For economy class, this is a lot; on many planes, your knees rest against the in-flight magazines.
6 Before takeoff, sweets are distributed: in Russia only three companies do this: Transaero, S7 and Vim-Avia. Surely, sweets are officially recognized as useful for nausea and motion sickness during takeoff, but all passengers gobble them up just because they are delicious.
7 All children on board receive a gift set that will keep the child occupied during the flight. I don’t know what’s inside, maybe you flew with Transaero children and received such a gift? What's there?
8 Safety instructions. The main rule is to always remain calm.
9 Transaero was most surprised by the fact that now there is no need to turn off mobile devices during takeoff and landing, just switch them to flight mode! Many American and European air carriers have long since reached this point, but in our country they still require that everything be turned off and are strictly monitored. And Transaero turned out to be the first airline in Russia to lift this stupid ban!
10 Narrow-body aircraft do not have an individual entertainment system, but they do have a TV and several audio channels with music. From TV I learned that next year the Transaero fleet will be supplemented by such giants (literally) as the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A380! It seems that not a single Russian airline has “three hundred and eightieth” yet?
11 After takeoff, I went to the tail of the plane to “cool up.” Above the last row of seats hang pictures that clearly demonstrate the attractiveness of some flights. Yes, the 527 is a good flight to Thailand!
12 I met the crew: flight attendants Olesya, Maxim and Lyudmila were flying with us to Milan.
13 I watched their work for a bit. At the very beginning of the service, passengers are given a newspaper. Business Traveler magazine is what I need; I have enough reading news on the Internet.
14 Transaero usually does not offer alcohol to its economy class passengers, but on the way to Milan they “pour”: white and red wine.
15 I would like to single out flight attendant Maxim and say a personal thank you to him for his attention, politeness and friendliness. He was the complete opposite of the other “AviaMaxim”, whom I met a year and a half ago in Istanbul. As you remember, this particularly valuable Aeroflot employee from the caste of “non-fireables” forever discouraged me from flying with the “national carrier”. But people like Maxim the steward create a pleasant image of the company.
16 Time to check the Internet on board. Three hundred rubles per hour and six hundred for the entire flight. When I flew Lufthansa to America, the Internet cost 20 euros, but also unlimited. For reference, Aeroflot requires you to pay for traffic, and it costs almost three dollars per megabyte. This is more than a hundred rubles! You don’t have to tell me that just checking your mail costs a couple of megagrams?
17 If you don't want to spend money on the Internet, it still makes sense to connect to the plane's Wi-Fi to find out information about the flight, where you are flying right now, how long until landing and altitude.
18 Internet speed is low, about the same as Egde on a mobile phone. But for communication on LiveJournal and Facebook, for working with mail - it’s enough. In the end, don’t forget where you are surfing the Internet from :)
19 What did they bring to eat? Choose from “classic” chicken or fish. I chose the bird with pasta. In addition to the hot dish, they gave us a piece of smoked halibut with lemon, vegetables in the form of cucumber, tomato and pepper, butter, a bun and a piece of black kleb, salted nuts and a muffin.
20 Alexandra, senior flight attendant. Economy class passengers usually don’t see her, but she is the one who solves all the problems that arise on board.
21 One of the most common is that passengers persistently try to smoke in the aircraft cabin. Despite the fact that all airlines in the world have been non-smoking for many years, and they remind you of this before each flight, prohibition signs hang in the toilets. All the same, someone will try to smoke quietly. The smoke detector reacts instantly, even if you try to close it or break it. Usually they get off with a reprimand, but if the passenger begins to behave inappropriately, he may be handed over to the police. In Russia, the fine for smoking is not yet very large, and the police often simply release the detainee, but abroad you can “get caught” for a large sum due to your impatience.
22 Aircraft emergency rescue equipment. Megaphone, fire extinguisher and several oxygen cylinders. Sometimes they have to be used if a person becomes ill during a flight.
23 There are always two first aid kits on board: one is similar to a car kit, it contains plasters, bandages, peroxide and brilliant green. Another first aid kit is more serious, with a “medical style”. Only a doctor from among the passengers on board can use it. Doctors fly not as rarely as you might think. There's the Kyiv doctor
The job of a flight attendant, as it seems to us, is to welcome us on board with a charming smile, feed us from the belly and, if necessary, entertain us during the flight. Everything is so, but not so. Service is undoubtedly a very important component of the image of any modern airline. But it cannot be compared with the ability to ensure security. Our psychology is such that even the slightest trouble on board an airplane leads to a state of panic. And if, God forbid, something completely extraordinary happens, the passengers will not care at all whether they evacuated from the plane with chicken in their stomachs or with fish.
And in order to preserve the lives and health of passengers in an emergency, flight attendants were invented. This is if in fact. A week earlier, I was able to get acquainted with how Aeroflot trains them. Of course, training in service technologies is also included in the training program. But we will now pay special attention to security issues.
Aeroflot has absolutely everything for this.
The 18th Training Detachment (UTO) was formed in 1965, and in 1981 it was renamed TSAP - Aviation Personnel Training Center, now the first letter has changed to D - department. New The educational center has become a training base for fast-growing international airlines. Total area - 5525 sq. m. More than 15,000 students annually.
Aeroflot's own school even has a separate, fully functional flight simulator for flight attendants. We're used to being like this complex designs are used only in training flight personnel, but no.
The simulator simulates the movement of an Il-96 aircraft when flying in a turbulent atmosphere, an emergency descent, a “rough” landing with the destruction of the nose landing gear. Three-degree hydraulic system mobility (SP) designed for a simulator cabin weighing up to 15,000 kg, has no analogues in Russia. The simulator for flight attendants also simulates the movement of an aircraft. With its help, you can understand how the aircraft will behave in turbulent conditions, during an emergency descent, or a “rough” landing with the destruction of the nose landing gear. He is the only one like this in all of Russia. In other places, flight attendants are not “pampered” like that. I foresee a lot of questions regarding the type. Firstly, the simulator was developed 10 years ago, in a different reality, and secondly, the main thing is the feelings of the crew and passengers, and they are preserved regardless of the type.
Now I will try to tell you how the preparation is going. The technologies are very complex, every action, every movement is worked out with precision - it’s impossible to convey everything.
We arrived at the flight personnel training department, which is located next to Sheremetyevo airport. This is a whole complex of buildings and structures. Something new is constantly being built: the center is growing and developing, constantly undergoing certification not only by Russian, but also by international aviation authorities. Because what is difficult in aviation? In aviation, of course, everything is complicated, but from the point of view of organizing any processes, the difficult thing is that every “sneeze” must be agreed upon and approved a million times at all levels. And staff training, of course, too. In addition to flight attendants, pilots and engineers are trained here. But about them some other time. Today we will look at photos of charming flight attendants in swimsuits :)
2. Immediately very scary. First of all, we are shown what happens if there is a fire on board. How to detect a fire and how to try to extinguish it. It looks really creepy - the fire is completely real. On most other simulators, flames are simulated. Everything is for real here! 
3. This is how you have to put out a food cart. And already at this point any passenger will become absolutely indifferent whether meat, chicken or fish are burning... 
4. Extinguishing the luggage rack. 
5. We exhale, the passions are over for us - we go to the hall to see what to do when the fire has already been extinguished. The gym allows you to learn how to act and how to evacuate passengers in the event of different emergency situations when the plane is flying over land and makes an emergency landing at the nearest airport. 
6. First - detailed instructions. We study aviation rescue equipment in theory. 
7. The same simulator based on Il-96. Part of the liner layout. The simulator is equipped with a system for simulating various crisis situations. Instead of windows, there are monitors on which the situation of a real emergency can be displayed, and the motion system will simulate the roll of the aircraft. The simulator is designed and built on VASO. Which in my opinion is very cool! 
8. Door opening simulator. Do you recognize the type? 
9. The instructor tells you how to open the door correctly. In different aircraft this process is organized differently. The number of simulators corresponds to the number of aircraft types operated by the airline. There is even a door from the MS-21, but it has not yet been installed. 
10. Main door and escape hatch. 
11. Cockpit. This simulator is needed to practice evacuation through the cockpit not only for flight crews, but also for passengers, if the need arises. Please note that the right cup contains a baby mannequin. Full-size mannequins for better imitation of real events. Pilots and those leaving the aircraft through their cockpit will be rappelled
12. The IL-96 simulator does not involve practicing emergency evacuation. Here flight attendants can practice how to assist pilots in case of emergency situations. 
13. Let's get on board and see how the preparation process goes, how to behave in different emergency situations. The plane was prepared especially for us for demonstration. 
14. Briefing for flight attendants. We are practicing an emergency landing in the event of a fire on board. 
15. The aircraft commander said that in 30 minutes the plane would land at the nearest airport. The senior BP assembles a team and gives instructions on who will do what. Synchronizes clocks. 
16. The senior flight attendant, strictly according to instructions, announces to passengers about an emergency situation on board and tells them point by point how to behave. 
17. In order for the back rows to better see the instructions, the BPs are climbed higher. 
18. Passengers from these seats are asked to move to other seats or go to the back of the cabin to observe the procedure. 
19. Correct position during an emergency landing: knees together, legs apart, head down and covered with hands. If you have a child on your lap, cover him with yourself, holding him close to you. 
20. The theoretical part is over - we will try to take off. The hatches are battened down, the interior is sealed. 
21. It’s shaking, however. The sensations were completely realistic: we were tossed around, tossed around, and in the end slammed into the runway. Dumb, damn it. 
22. We practice leaving the cabin through emergency hatches. All BP commands are pronounced as if everything is happening for real. Sounds convincing. 
23. Wake up your inner child - ride the ramp :) In fact, this is the most important part of the evacuation. The life and health of you and other passengers depend on the precise execution of the BP’s orders. 
24. Downstairs, there will definitely be safety supplies or volunteer passengers. 
25. When descending from the ladder, you should never touch it with your hands - you can get injured and even burns. How you can't go down - see Marinki
.
26. We leave the side as soon as possible! To the side! 
27. Everyone is saved, Artem Kashirin remains. He will probably film during the evacuation process. 
28. Good job. Well-deserved relaxation in the winter garden and let's go enjoy the views of the flight attendants in a swimsuit. 
29. Although, of course, if the plane lands on water, then passengers will be interested not so much in the slender legs of the flight attendants and swimsuits, but in their professional training. And to avoid disappointment in this matter, the school has a special swimming pool where the procedure for action in a given situation is practiced. It's huge! 
30. In the event of splashdown, evacuation is ensured by a special raft and/or the very same ladders along which passengers left the plane.
Unfortunately, they didn’t show us, and we forgot to ask, how the ladders are separated. 
31. The raft looks like this. 
32. As soon as the evacuation is carried out and the passengers are placed in the craft, it is necessary to swim away from the wrecked ship as quickly as possible.
Row!!! 
33.Stretch the protective awning 
34. It helps in difficult weather conditions: scorching sun, rain or cold, and also attracts the attention of search and rescue services. 
35. Man overboard! 
36. Practice rescuing passengers on water. Good mood! 
37. If you see a raft, row towards it with all your might. If for some reason there is no raft, group with other passengers and attract attention to yourself. 
38. You can splash in the water like this. The main thing is to be noticed - then you will be saved. And it doesn’t matter how many points you would get from the jury at a synchronized swimming competition. 
39. Let's return to theory. Each raft is equipped with NAZ. Let's study the composition. What do you consider most important? 
40. And another guess: what is this? 
41. We had a great time and learned a lot of valuable skills in the flight attendant training rooms. But this is not all that the training center can surprise. On the way back we were able to catch a glimpse of the pilot simulators. And they promised to tell us more about them during the next visit. Fellow pilots, what is more interesting: flying on a simulator or splashing in the pool with flight attendants? 
42. This is not spaceship, and guess what. 
43. And this is also not a spaceship. This is the MS-21 simulator. Aeroflot will soon enrich its fleet with this type. After all, the main customer. 
44. And this, I think, is already clear. 
What a story!
Many thanks to the press service of Aeroflot airline for the opportunity to visit here, as well as to all the employees and students of the Aviation Personnel Training Department. That was great!
