This was a new one for me. Plane completely boarded. PBI- LGA. Overheads mostly closed. I'm in first row of economy comfort. Saw a pillow in the overhead as I passed by first and took it to my seat. Flight attendant actually came back to me and said "Sir, those pillows are only for first-class passengers". We are talking about the paper covered tiny pillows, not delta one luxury ones. Took it away, and then the passenger in front of me promptly handed me his!
I guess the pillow kept in an overhead (every first-class passenger already had one of his or her own) does better service being stored than making someone ( a lowly PM MMer) comfortable.