If I got shot and was away for some time, my faction would have 0 troops when I got back if we did that

Avoid butchering the faction in case the absent/slow player needs to be replaced.
Extensions should have valid reasons and not be constantly used, if someone knows they will be away they need to have a subber. Diplomacy, extreme reloading or extremely long turns are poor excuses for extensions if excuses at all. But if people ask extension and keeps us posted, some waiting is not the end of the world and we'll notice if someone keeps doing it without reason.
I'd request players doing like Proto did when he knew he did not have 4 hours to spend on a turn, he did what he could in the time he had and uploaded it.