It is recommended in the codex, here, and here that for optimal performance, permalink structure for posts should start with a numeric slug. Does this apply to custom post types or does using custom post types alleviate the issue?
No, it does not apply to CPTs. If you'd read Ottos comments on his post, he mentioned that :) CPTs use a different structure so you're okay.
Also read this: http://yoast.com/wordpress-seo-url-permalink/
You CAN use /postname but you'd best have a good server. Personally, I keep the date in there for HEO (human experience optimization). People like dates.
Nice, thanks, I should've used Ctrl+F to find it in the new comments rather than going off remembering what I read last year ;)
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