Beverly Hills, CA --  In the effort to bolster their bottom lines, some air carriers have begun to charge passengers extra to check their baggage.  In the spirit of giving, this site's editors have devised some other steps the beleaguered air carriers might test in order to offset the rising costs of fuel.

"Not everyone who flies needs the bathroom in-flight, so why should everyone on board have to pay," asks HopelessUtopian.com.  Instead, the website suggests the airlines could install credit card swipe devices on each toilet stall, allowing passengers to be charged a minute-to-minute rate depending upon usage.

A second popular idea on the HopelessUtopian.com site is to charge extra for experienced pilots.  "Just as better hitters in baseball get paid more, those pilots with more experience are worth more than those who just emerged from flight-training school," HopelessUtopian.com writes.  "If you want a pilot who knows what to do in an emergency, you should be willing to pay more.  It's kind of like life insurance: some people want a lot, some only a little, and others none at all."

The editors at HopelessUtopian.com fielded numerous related suggestions from their readers.  Among other frequent suggestions:  Charge extra for fat customers and pregnant flyers; make seat belts a paid amenity just like headphones; create seated and non-seat sections on board, charging more for those who don't wish to stand the entire time; make passengers pay extra for on-time departures; and offer bus service for those who can't afford to actually lift off.

In recent years, the airlines have struggled to remain viable, fighting to offset rising fuel prices, stricter security measures, and record new levels of flight attendant dissatisfaction and surliness.  Since air transportation is vital to the global economy, HopelessUtopian.com said it believes consumers must carry a larger share of the responsibility for corporate mismanagement and lack of vision.

"Why should airlines take it upon themselves to operate with more efficiency and imagination when their passengers are a captive audience upon whom they can push pretty much any absurd idea?" HopelessUtopian.com asks.  Indeed, the web sites thinks the airlines may well serve as role models for other cash-strapped industries, such as hospitals.  "Would you like your surgery with (extra cost) or without anesthesia?" may indeed be the next question we all hear.

In an era of increasing content segmentation, HopelessUtopian.com aims to provide visitors a cornucopia of piquant outre substance.

Inspired by the very popular "How to of the Day" that appears on Google.com, HopelessUtopian.com regularly posts engaging articles that don't have a single good 'because' or 'therefore'. Readers just like them.