The AS segment requirement is actually much worse than UA. On UA you have the option of earning more points in lieu of the segment requirement. AS has nothing like that. You can earn 500k EQM and without 24 segments on AS metal you are not 100k, even if your flights are sold and marketed by AS. Considering the limitations of the AS network, this is going to disqualify you if you don't often fly where AS goes. And if you are not in SEA or Alaska there is always the chance that AS will axe your regular route partway through the year.

For example, I'm in PHX and AS only flies west and northwest from there, which cuts off most of the country unless I want to backtrack and turn a direct flight into a day-long adventure. Is anyone really flying PHX-SEA-NYC?