The plane can't even leave the gate if it doesn't have the correct safety cards in each seat pocket. It is likely a six figure fine for the airline if the FAA were to track down the airplane and check the tape. Technically, if the OP was correct, DL would be fined for flying an aircraft was wasn't airworthy.

I've been told by some PMNW folks that DL has an excess number of AD violations for the year. With the mix of the fleet I wouldn't be surprised if a number of them involve safety information ADs. I don't have the details of ADs, I'm hoping it's paperwork issues and not something more serious with techops.