I noticed Delta has always had great service out of PHX. As a plat, I feel completely lost in the crowd when flying out of the hubs like MSP, ATL, DTW etc but the occasional time flying out DEN or PHX in Y (companion upgrades normally clear on leisure flights but I uncheck the "request upgrade" box too when I travel with more than one companion) I get great service.

(Now if Delta would only reopen the crown rooms/sky clubs in PHX/DEN that would be icing on the cake!)

I am sure it has to do with the fact elites are much less frequent at the non-Delta hub locations and FAs rarely see elites sitting in Y on those flights whereas on the Hubs, Plats and even occasionally Diamonds sit in Y.

One example was DEN-DTW on a Sun night flight, as we landed the lead FA gave the customary thanks to the skymiles members but also make a special comment especially thanking the 18 silver/gold/platinums on board. Where as on the same business timeframe flights on a ~170 passenger 757 out of MSP/ATL/NYC, I usually see 60-70 elites still on the standby for first class list after first checked in full.