Originally Posted by GrayAnderson

Here's the counter: As I understand it, WN went this direction in large part to encourage folks to check bags rather than fighting over bin space, thereby facilitating faster turns. That's not going to play out brilliantly if they have to start gate-checking lots of bags (I've run into an insane number of mainline flights on DL/AA where they announce that they're going to have to start gate-checking after X point). I'm not even sure that assigned seating will play well there - if nothing else, the existing system does let folks just "grab the nearest seat".

So if I had to guess, fares won't decline on a sustained basis (individual markets may vary) but other issues will arise.

Also, as I said above, the "pay the fee and we'll refund it" approach to bag fee waivers is a disaster (and/or lawsuit) waiting to happen.