Otto, agree about bulging pockets but I am suggesting leg pockets not hip pockets. As for a gillet, agree it is fine for the little things like phones, PDA, ear phones etc, but less so for books and papers.
As for hanging the jacket on the seat in front, I haven't really found enough space, especially if the seat is reclined or you are sitting next to a stranger.
F3G, agree a Kindle would be a good idea and certainly not for a leg pocket. However having done a cost benefit analysis I reckon I could buy a shelf load of books for the price of a reader ad that before I have even paid for the reader books.