How important is the meeting? If it's "must be there" presumably with enough time to find an alternate mode of transportation and get there.

Look I'm not a United apologist by any means - I think the staffing and recovery issues are absolutely shameful. But here's the reality: even putting aside the things that United doesn't control (e.g. FAA staffing), the traveling public isn't willing to pay the prices that would be associated with any airline that hires and retains enough staff and "spare" planes to provide any sort of outside guarantee on when you'll get to your destination. Forcing it on the airlines through regulation isn't going to change that basic equation either.

So, it sucks, but if it's a "must be there" meeting, you need to plan with a lot of buffer - enough to drive, or far enough in advance that the likelihood you can't get there in time is slim. Maybe buy back-up tickets with other carriers or to/from nearby airports.

I don't like the answer at all - we all have important things in our lives and taking "days" of buffer comes at a large cost and opportunity cost. But that is the world we live in. Life isn't fair.