This thread cracks me up. This happens and all airlines experience it. Do you not remember the global outage United had back in 2009 (?). I do, my brother was supposed to fly IAD to FCO and got stranded at the airport. Could not talk to an airline rep at all, ended up rebooking himself to make it there before his tour started on Lufthansa. United had the balls to tell him the delay was weather related and offered $100 compensation. He actually swore to never fly United again and somehow has actually kept to it.

Living in Austin, United makes little sense because I do not want to connect. I have had some status since 2001 and this is the first year I won't requalify and I don't miss it one bit.

I feel for the southwest folks, it certainly sucks and many of my friends are on long road trips now