I've witnessed what the OP describes and it kinda scares me about ever flying DL non-status.

It's almost as if DL front line have been instructed to treat non-status fliers as described above - perhaps in the hope Medallions will still feel "special" in spite of continuing program devaluations?

Seems to be a fair post - more genuine pax should speak up, use Yelp, etc so the buying public can make a better informed purchase decision.