Originally Posted by
beachmouse
A pillow on the lap can also make it hard for cabin crew to verify passengers are wearing seat belts when they do their walk through.
Well, not so hard… one can just ask to see the seatbelt, which is undoubtedly easier and faster than finding a place to stow the pillow.
If multiple items were involved, I can see how there could possibly have been an issue (as everything would have needed to be held if not stowed).