That much has to be true, since PHX is all Ted, all the time.

Since you hadn't planned to upgrade these flights, or else you would have noticed the Ted-ness earlier, I have to say I'm confused. Aside from first class and a different safety video, there is no difference between Ted and mainline flights. So why are you so desperate to avoid Ted?

If you just hate PHX for some reason, it MIGHT be possible to standby for a different routing if you get a nice agent. But the agent will be prompted to confirm you all the way through, since standing by for, say ORD-XYZ is technically impossible when your ticket shows PHX-XYZ. And confirming you on a different routing is against the rules, unless there is complete chaos on one of your flights. So you need a really nice agent.