Rod,
You are a Whitney veteran, you should know that walking up is the only way to fly.
The only permits I have reserved in the last 5 years have involved Trail Crest permits...and then because I was out voted by my group of loons.
My last MMWT walk-in permit was 7/08. Walked in on a Friday morning and was on the trail by 10 AM.
Damn, the Whitney Zone thingy is fifteen stinking dollars.