Plinko,
I am not a MM flyer, I log somewhere between 50-60K a year all domestic and most of the flights are Western US. Regional Sales Manager keeps me at Gold Level on Alaska Airlines and Platinum with the HHonors program. Most of my flights are under 3 hours, so if I don't get upgraded to F it's not horrible.
I am gone from home (wife 3 kids) 2-3 days weekly. My wife is patient and understanding.
Good luck with the travel pursuit.