It's not like you need someone to take a protractor and measure out 45 degrees. But I agree, usually, around 45 degrees or so will be about right. Maybe a little less but probably not more. But to tell the truth, Cradler, the question suprises me cause I can't bench at all with my arms tucked against my side accept with db's. Not only does it cause discomfort in my shoulders but I my wrists won't turn enough in that position, so it hurts the wrists as well as the elbows. It doesn't seem like a natural way to do it. But what's very important is the the angle is maintained thoughout. You may find the angle drifting out during the lift or even worse just plain flailing around. You gotta keep the elbows tucked solid, but no, "tucked" does not mean completely against you sides. I think you probably would find it better to bring em out.
I agree with you on the beginner's thing. To be frank, if you had Coach Rippetoe coaching you it may be different but I think people would be better off with more "freedom" to learn outside of the restricted environment of a very static program. This doesn't mean you aren't getting better and progressing but that the emphasis starts more on learning basic technique rather than on the fastest possible progression. I will keep saying that I don't believe that the fastest possible progression is always necessarily the best way to go.
I don't think most will do it. They will come asking for a program. If you ask them if they know all the lifts they will get insulted, as if bench press technique is handed out at birth or something, and then they will proceed to have problems but be unwilling to compromise in any way in their quest to be "strong and big".
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