Sunday Mrs and I were heading home from Key West to to Norfolk, via CLT, on US. We arrived at the gate an hour before departure and I saw an E175 outside. Looks like our plane. The waiting area was sure packed. An announcement came over the speaker indicating the plane at the gate was not ours , but a similar flight to CLT that should have taken off two hours ago. They announced , " an engine would not start , and they were waiting for my E175 to come in and JUMP START it.
So an hour later they announced, in the process of jump starting, The second E175 was damaged, and they were working on it. Did I volunteer to do a good deed today. No.
So I go to gate agent, and say: " hey I'm in Key West and the sun is shining. You have people wanting to fly standby on my flight, and I see an afternoon of Creeping Delays, can you rebook me for tomorrow or the next day, and I'll get out of here?" Answer, "No , you'll have time to make your connection."
So this goes on for THREE HOURS , with me making the same offer. same answer. No.
Finally, I approach the desk. I point out there is no way for me to make my connection in CLT. ( the last flight with an available seat to ORF). Will you now rebook me? Answer No, we are getting ready to board your flight. It's tight but you'll make it". After some additional conversation, we got on the plane.
I took my seat, the plane sat for a few more minutes, I asked the FA if she thought I'd make my 6:00PM connection. She looked at me, before she could speak the door closed. We did not make the connection, and US put us up in CLT.

It cost them additional money.
It upset me , the customer.
It could have been avoided by just letting me rebook my ticket.
Is it justified to delay 90 passengers, while they work on another plane?
I am going to ask. Should I expect any compensation?