Ryanair

A couple of weeks ago there was a major burble of discontent around the travel blogosphere about purported plans by Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, to outfit his planes aerial cattle cars with pay toilets. Many were not sure if Mr. O'Leary was serious. He said he was but had to back off plans since he couldn't get doors that would work. Personally, I think he floated the idea to see what kind of response it would get and for some free publicity.

Now, with intent to continue operating on the principle that there is no such thing as bad publicity, Ryanair is supposedly offering 1000 euros ($ 1298.10) to the customer that comes up with the best idea for a new tack-on fee. I cannot decide whether or not this is pure unadulterated evil genius or just one hundred and one percent jerkishness. But from now on, every time I think of Mr. O'Leary (and believe me, I really don't want too) I'll see him as Dr. Evil, little pinky touching the corner of his mouth, and he's screeching - "you shall give me ....one miilliouun dollars!"

Anyhow, here's my idea (it is after all, 1000 euros we're talking about here and I'm not going to fly Ryanair if I can help it). The pay toilet idea was evil but not evil enough. Let's face it - toilets are just wasted, non-revenue generating space. Pull them out and put in additional seats and watch the money roll in. For the weak bladdered ones among us, well, for a small fee you can purchase the rental of a special Ryanair bedpan. One euro per use, and, for a small additional fee (10 euros), you can buy a special souvenir Ryanair bedpan of your very own, to commemorate your aerial travels.