sorry guys I agree with the OP, that is if it happened as he wrote. If it was a prob with the aircraft then it should have been written up that way and not as ATC. Had it been DH would have had to put him up and he could have played the stand-by game the next day as he was willing to.

I understand his frustration Only cause Ive been there myself, where-by the carrier didnt hold up for 5 mins a connection I had to make so I had to in the end overnight it. While on my return they did hold up the plane for 2 late arrivals.

I didnt know that DH could get away without rebooking a passenger on another carrier, No matter the fare paid. Again DH claimed ATC which would mean they wouldnt have to rebook the pass, but if it was mechanical as the OP stated Im sure they would have to, DH is not a Charter airline.

I would be in contact with the FAA or whomever is the proper agency to have them look into the case to see what the reason was , and to inquire with the crew also as to the reason. To make sure that DH isnt playing games in order to prevent it from having to deal with paying another carrier or hotels etc. The price paid for the tkt has nothing to do with what the laws are and what should have been done. Ive flown on tkts in the past where when all was said and done it cost the carrier alot more than I paid them for the tkt. There were hotel stays and taxis and food vouchers on all legs. I was flying into ONT the last leg was LAX-ONT got in too late to connect but was leaving from ONT and had my car rental there , it cost the carrier $70 for a taxi (yep this was yrs&yrs ago) thats besides 2 hotel nights also and having to rebook me on another carrier for my last leg on my return. Believe me they paid out alot more than my $178 fare which included taxes.