I would still do the same thing today, at least with my own kids, who could handle it.
I flew by myself lots of times, up and down the east coast in high school. I remember one time, when I was coming back from Boston, to go home to Miami, and we had a very long (hours) weather delay. They gave out free champagne, and readily served me! That, of course, would not happen today.
Don't get me started on how parents don't give their kids enough credit to be able to handle these things. Of course, kids are all different, but the attitude of fear today just doesn't sit well with me.