Several years ago i was on a flight to DC.  The plane had  3 seats across on each side and the seat between my window seat and the aisle seat was empty.  I wasnt paying too much attention when this young lady sat down in the aisle seat. I kept to my own business and then noticed a small stuffed animal seat belted in between us so i assume she had a small child with her.  The plane rolled to the runway and still no child.  Puzzled, i looked at the lady, then down at the animal.  She was holding the stuffed animal's paw.   She nervously looked at me and said "he is with me...i am afraid of flying".

People used to have blankets and stuffed animals and they seemed to work for them. ..why so many snowflakes now?