This is an easy answer for me. Avoid commuting and pick a company that has a base where you live if there is one. Your QOL will be much, much, much better (although bases seem to open and close a lot for many companies these days).

I'm with XJT, did the whole commuting thing when I first started and it was literally making me sick always being on the go, and only being home 6 days a month since you would usually have to report to base the day prior and leave the day after. I ended up switching bases and moving into that base, and it feels like a whole new job.

Trust me, pick a company you can see yourself having the best QOL. I wouldn't sweat the upgrades-if you want to go to a major, most likely you'll be there in the next few years anyways with the retirements.