>Maybe in the form of.. you do X quest, you get a level.

Right now it's do X quest, you get Y experience. Since everyone's
levels cost different amounts just give out 'a level' isn't going
to happen. We have a lot of quests at varying levels that have
experience as a reward.

>Playing certain classes requires that you wait around for
>long periods of time just trying to get someone to take
>the hits for you

Nothing requires you to do that. In fact, I strongly encourage
you to get out and find quests and anything you can fight to
claw your away ahead on your own while waiting for a group.
Get a couple other people who can not tank and make the worst,
most spastic group ever because until you know what you are
doing, sometimes that's just how you get ahead.

Take the time you're spending sitting around to find new ways to
advance yourself. The means already exists to do it, just find it.