Since I am travelling for a wedding with my wife, I knew better than to book even an MSP-ATL-SFO. That would go over like a lead baloon.

Going a bit OT here....With my travel pattern, I would have to do that quite a few times to make it from Silver to Gold Elite. I fly mostly short-haul to the great lakes and east coast on NW non-stops from MSP. I usually end up with 26-32k EQM, which is okay with me. I don't really want to be gone more than I am already. This year's upgrade % as a silver is definately down, though. On NW, I have been upgraded on 10 of 18 mainline segments, and have flown or will fly 10 segments on DL/NW RJs in Y, bringing my total upgrade % down to a lack-luster 35.7%.