I travel every week on super-Elite heavy routes and as a Plat, haven't gotten an upgrade in over 3 months.
I always try to get work done on the flight (2.5 hours in the air) and can unless the person in front of my reclines their seat.
It really frustrates me when I get someone in Y who reclines because then I have no place and cannot use my laptop, making me completely ineffective. It really irks me when they leave the seat recline for 100% of the flight.
I usually try to get an exit row, where then I have no problem but sometimes that isn't possible. FC no problem, but I just don't see that anymore since I'm always like #15 on the UG list, even as a Plat on M and H fares.
No problem on any type, even CRJ-900s and E-175s, as long as the person in front of me doesn't recline......