I certainly notice that overhead bin storage is much less of an issue on WN than other airlines because bags fly free for everyone (certainly some flights still have problems, especially on -300's and -500's, but on average it's less of an issue), I doubt I'm the only traveler who notices this.

You are not. Two at-capacity WN flights today, and no-one having to check bags on either. Being elite on legacies might help you if you're at the gate area well in advance and can board 40 mins before take off, but it won't do diddly squat for you if you have a large rolling carry on and rock up at the gate towards the end of the boarding process- as I did today.

On legacies, all infrequent flyers try to avoid checking anything. On WN, FFs take carry on only (unless they're lugging around demo equipment, for example) and everyone else checks bags. It was like this on legacies in the old days, and I find it much more civilised.

In terms of WN trying to advertise the no change fees, I agree that is a tougher sell. Apart from in extreme cases this will not affect the bulk of their passengers- a vacation in Vegas tends not to change date/time except in emergency- but that said, even legacy elite biz flyers get zapped for changes if they don't happen to be same day. It's gonna take some cleverness, but they might just swing it.

Cheers,

Paul.