Ok, I dont understand your first remark. And, as far as straightforward answers, seriously, should an airline let YOU know everytime it makes a corporate decision? The MEDIA is on it in a nanosecond anyway. And, exempt carry on items?……you already get to travel with a SUITCASE ON WHEELS, a PERSONAL ITEM and the exempt items include FOOD, READING MATERIAL AND A COAT.
What? that isnt enough?
Want MY opinion on pillows and blankets? I’ve seen people drool on them. Sick passengers cough into them. Small children wipe their boogers on them. And, I wouldnt doubt it, if semen or blood could be found on a blanket or two. Kweed, is so right, I would almost gag everything I saw a long hair matted on a pillow case. Imagine staying in a hotel that didnt change it’s blankets and pillows for two weeks? Care to get inside that bed? Why would a plane be any different? IT’S NOT.

Your seat only goes back an eighth of an inch, is a pillow going to make that much of a difference? Bring an inflatable if you must, but you can leave your teeny hairy pillows on the runway.

Another, more plausible reason: cabins can be cleaned faster, and that it’s (a little) less weight. You know the airlines are examining every potential onboard cost when the weight of pillows and blankets are a factor.
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Seriously, why the cynicism? The industry is cutting COSTS during this recession, arent you? I’m thrilled those nasty things are gone. How anyone would use those things is beyond me. Airlines cleaned them, on average, every TWO WEEKS. Ask someone who actually works on the plane, and they would say a resounding, YES, they’ve allowed for more carry-ons in the bins. On average, each flight carries 40/50 pillows and blankets. They do take up room and do take TIME to pick up off the floor and re-fold and return them to the overheads. I tell you, I wish I could tell passengers, the more you “trash” the plane, the longer it’s going to take to clean it up. In most cases, there’s not a sea of cleaners that come onboard, there’s a few cleaners. These cleaners may be outsourced and they dont care about your connection. I’ve yelled at some, “we’re late, get off your cellphone!”
I get asked for pillows and blankets everyday. My response: Would you like Swine Flu with that? And, add, we dont supply them anymore. But, they do get the response, they’re USED by other passengers, when we had them.
Finally, how about personal responsibility? I see flip flops in the dead of winter or daisy dukes and tank tops. WEAR A COAT and inside one of those pockets, carry an inflatable pillow (with your germs on it.)

Sure enough, when we landed, there was a pile of blankets and pillows on the jet bridge. Not in any condition to use.