No I don't prefer the males. Would someone please tell me what exactly should she/he be "protected" from? It is probably safer at the airport than in a hotel in Moscow anyway.
Again, I would personally prefer to fly with a crew of two well rested pilots and a knackered FA, than a crew of three knackered persons. And yes, my wife is a grown up person who can take care of herself for one night. She would never consider asking me to stay with her in a situation like this.
We are talking about an FA staying in a terminal of an international airport, not a jail full of perverts...