Those are excellent points, thanks!

0) The flight status still says: Estimated Departure 5 Hours 35 Minutes Late (Delayed - Awaiting inbound aircraft)

1) They need to check in their luggage, they have two large suitcases.

2) If the flight leaves at 1:45, they'll be there at around 10 p.m., so they should be fine going through security before midnight. I don't know when/if it shuts down.

So I guess the problem would be the checked in luggage. That's an issue because we're three hours away from EWR so we'd really need the luggage to come with us. Otherwise, if they arrive at 9 or 10 p.m. and United refuses to take their luggage, is there any chance United would put it on a later flight (e.g. the next day) AND deliver it to us 3 hours away (or reroute it to our local airport, ALB).

Thanks!