Wong's tables: Does dealer check down-card when Ace is showing

I'm wondering if the tables in Wong's books are based on the dealer checking the down-card for a 10 when an Ace shows. (Is this universal at all casinos?).

I'm asking this because it seems like the recommendations for Surrender and conservative play are rather "drastic" for when an Ace is showing.
It seems that if we know the dealer does NOT have a 10 (when an Ace shows), then a dealer's Ace should not be as "awful" as the tables make it seem.

So, are the tables based on the dealer checking, or not checking, the down card when an Ace shows, before players take cards.

Thank you