Did your node crash with funds on it? I agree Lightning is not easy to use. Most ppl don’t have the time to learn how to manage the channels. It was advertised in the early days as free and instant txns but now we know that’s not really how it works. It can be free, but not always. 

 No. I don't and won't mess with my own lightning node. I just can't stand how convoluted all this is.  

 Yeah. None of it is user friendly at this stage. Just have to remember, 100+ years ago ppl were plugging their washing machines into light sockets bc that’s the only place the electricity was. Tools will get better with time. 

 That's a fair point.