The overnight kits you can get for free at the baggage office have a pretty comprehensive collection of toiletries, as well as a good quality SkyTeam t-shirt. It can serve as PJs that night and makes a nice souvenir. I have several.

The whole incident is blown out of proportion. It boils down to...

• OP's flight plans were snarled by the big east coast storm that did the same to thousands of others.
• DL didn't comp him a room.
• He got contradictory info from different DL sources.
• He got into a pi**ing match with the baggage agent, who called a cop.

Hardly "horrifying". Next time pack a change of underwear and socks.