Comment by ArtTimeInvestor

    you need to constantly have your
    lightning node running to service the channel

Why do you think so? What do you think would happen when you go offline for a week?

    It's never just "a few dollars" because
    the amount in the channel needs to be
    much greater than the fees

Connect to a node that processes a million dollars worth of transactions per day, then the amount in your channel is just "a few dollars" for them, for which they would not risk their reputation.