"They placed a bright yellow thin mattress-like cover over the seat at bedtime…"

I had to fight all 3 crew members NOT to but that crappy sheet on my seat. The yellow (gold) pillow is too big during sitting, so I order one from C with is much better because it is smaller.

"The slippers were cost cut down, too. Now you don't get these half-open hotel style slippers but you get wrap-all-around hospital style slippers. I remember wearing those kind of slippers over my shoes when I inspected a Kellogg's factory a few years ago."

The PJs and slippers: Never care about this stuff. Just bag it and upon arrival home I hand it over to my Thai housekeeper. Maybe she puts it in the trash right away but is too polite to tell me. Hope I didn't embarrass myself with that crab.

I have a self-composed travel kit I always use. Partly stuff from other airlines or just bought in shops. As the socks and/or slippers from most airlines are almost worthless, I carry a pair of thick black socks with dotted rubber soles and put them over my normal socks.

So I am prepared for all kinds of "surprises".