Passenger pays for everything: US Airways charges for pillow and blanket

Passenger pays for everything: US Airways charges for pillow and blanket

First the food, then the bags, then no-pretzels, then the beverages and now pillow and blankets ($7 in-flight and online)? US Airways seem to be moving to a charge for everything. Gone are the days when US Airways was headquartered in Arlington VA and was one of the nicer legacy carriers.

Though, there are some advantages to charging for everything for US Airways - 

The pillow and blankets will be cleaner and of better quality (JetBlue started it)

The beverage service is much faster

Coffee and Tea are $1 each and with unlimited refills.
Flight attendants are much nicer (and so much better dressed!!!)

Earlier I use to justify these charges on fuel prices but now the economy? It is true, airlines are still losing money, same as I am losing money on my house. But my problem is once, the economy turns around, will these changes be rolled back? Or there will be another reason not to?

I think most of the airlines pray for the following - 

Seats are filled more than 100% times without the change in airfare.

Crude oil stays low at around $40 or lower

Economy booms back for high paying corporate clients

Weather never hits their hubs - maybe come up with a weather machine  

People keep flying to exotic places, maybe even make some week as “Exotic Travel Week”.

Add a couple of more long weekends (they make a killing with most of them).