Leveling does kind of suck now. I've started a few alts here and there, but I usually only get to around level 7 or so when I realize I already have days invested in my main, and I don't want to start over. My alts usually don't go anywhere.

This.
I healed a heroic instance this week with a lvl 80mage who had attack power and mp5 gear. Tell me that's not a result of Blizz applying too many shortcuts for new players.

RAF should be limited to people who already have a lvl 60 characters too. Otherwise it's a factory of newbies.

Healed... 80 mage... wtf?

@SJ

Jane was the healer and in her group was a mage with AP and MP5 Gear. She was not a healing mage :P

Exactly. Couldn't have said it better myself.

In addition to that, I see WoW in three parts: Leveling PvE, Endgame PvE, and PvP. When I get tired of one, I move to another, and cycle between them based on what I feel like doing a particular day. Removing the leveling PvE would remove a large chunk of the game for me. Leveling can be a boring grind at times, but you can always try things a new way. Rather than going from Elwynn to Redridge to Duskwood like every single other time, try a different order.

Blizz's addition of Heirloom gear reinforces the fact that leveling isn't going anywhere. It also takes some of the edge off of the grind.