People who want the overhead space will pay for it, the rest will just check their bags and save themselves a lot of aggravation.
It's much more civilized to fly without lugging baggage on the plane.
I agree. I fly Southwest when I can, and check my bag. No worries about whether there will be enough space, or dislocating my shoulder or hitting myself or someone else in the head getting it out of the overhead.
Baggage claim is usually near the transportation area, where I am going after my flight anyway, and it never takes more than a few minutes for the bags to come out.