AA does not empower their employees, simple. As to your situation, once I see the delay is creeping up, I would be on the phone with AA seeking a way to re-route myself. Over time I've learned to never rely on others to help me out when situation arise and always try to seek a way out. Yes, AA should have reacted faster and provided updates, but in reality, as you mentioned, you are not on a hub, dealing with contracted employees, right there you can see where issues will come, as there are no spare plane and crew sitting around. These is par for the course I suppose. Good luck.