I think you're mixing a couple of different situations in your original post in order to arrive at a predetermined conclusion (i.e. Ax suited sucks).
In typical low/mid limit games, playing Ax suited in late position, in an unraised pot, is a profitable hand. If the action is folded to you, it's a raising hand. If it's raised before you, fold.
The more passive the table, the earlier in position you can play Ax suited. If there's almost no raising pre-flop, you can play Ax suited UTG, if you're feeling frisky.
If it's a multiway pot at the flop (say, with 4 or more players), you need the flop to contain two of your suit to call a bet. If the flop has two of your suit and it's checked to you, bet out. If the flop has two of your suit and it's raised before you, only call if you're relatively sure that at least three of you will continue to the turn. You're only going to hit the flush 36% of the time by the river so you need it to be more than heads-up to profit when you do hit the flush.
Don't chase runner runner flushes, if the flop only has one of your suit. Just don't do it. This is where people lose money playing Ax suited.
If the flop misses your flush draw but puts out an A, fold to any bet in front of you. If it's checked to you, bet. If you bet and it's check-raised, fold. Continue to bet out on the turn and river. What you have to remember is that Ax suited has value in the A, too, especially if you're the first to shove chips into the pot. Your long-term profit will only be a profit if you take down hands being first to act. If you get raised/check-raised, fold. Don't be stubborn.
Proceed with caution if you you flop top or middle pair with the x. You don't necessarily want to fold it but you also need to have a good handle on the table to proceed. A good rule of thumb, though, is to just muck it and be safe.
You can get paid even when you flop the nut flush, especially if you're in late position. Calling stations will assume you're just trying to buy the pot and will often call. You'll also get paid off well by KQ suited, anyone with a smaller flush, two pair, etc.
Ax suited is a lot like playing overcards (AKo, AQo, etc). They're drawing hands that are profitable in the long run, but only if you're disciplined and get the hell out of the way when the flop doesn't behave and help you out.
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