The Evil GM - No Show, NO XP! But I'm falling behind!

Now we all know life happens. We all love the game, but sometimes real life prevents us from gaming, and it just can't be helped. You want to play, you really do, but you seem to miss every third game or maybe you miss 2 games in a row as the rest of your friends are able to make it each game with little to no issues. You hate to keep doing it, but crap happens. 

What can be done to keep your character in line with the rest of the group, when no one wants to play the character, and the DM is not using him or her as an NPC.

In these instances, I like to say the character ran off on his own journey and will still gain experience points. I normally will give the missing player half the amount each player would get. So when I award each person say 500 XP for the night, the missing player will get 250 XP.

Players who do as we call in the call center I run, "No call, no show" they will get nothing. Don't have the courtesy to call me, text me, email or throw a rock with note attached threw my window then I don't have to extend it back to you. NOW if that person has a reason they feel comfortable telling me or provide then the  next time we meet up, then 0 XP is removed.

While this will not solve the whole issue of them falling behind, it still does keep that missing character from falling so far behind, the player will just drop out of the group. Some people have limited people to play with and someone dropping or showing up can make or break a group. I think this is fair.

Do you think this is fair?