Originally Posted by
malks222
when I phoned to check and get an email confirmation of exactly what flights i was on, I asked about the hotel situation etc...
Unfortunately, at that point you should have said the rebooked flights were unacceptable and pushed for an alternative itinerary departing that night. As mentioned upthread, there would have been no shortage of east coast TATL departures you could have taken.
Hopefully something like this won't happen to you again but, if it does, you now know to push back on the auto-rebook suggestions.