"No-till to me is just that, drop the planter or drill and that's it."

I think you brought up an interesting point, one that explains why many think no till "doesn't work" in many areas.  In order for no till to be successful, it's much, much more than just putting the iron in the barn and not using it.  If you're just not tilling and calling it no till, it definitely won't work for you.