I would like to think that my experience yesterday was a real weather or mechanical problem and not one caused by the current work action...

Flew UA 12 yesterday AM from SFO-JFK. Upon arriving at the airport, seat assignments were gate controlled due to a cancelled flight earlier that day. The previous night, I tried to get on the 10pm redeye but that was WAY OVERSOLD in all three classes but was told that UA 12 the next morning was WIDE OPEN. Anyway, when I got to the gate 20 minutes before departure, the boarding area was packed and the agents were begging people to get bumped for $300 in vouchers and a flight five hours later (the flights around us were either sold out or cancelled). Departure was scheduled for 7am, we took off something like 9:15am due to a faulty fuel gauge. Pilots and mechanics had to use the "dip stick" method to ensure that there really was enough fuel to get us home. Arrival at JFK was at least 2 1/2 hours late. Checking the fuel was initially supposed to take 25 minutes but the extended delay was to ensure that it was isolated and not related to something else. In any case, one could feel the heightened sense of safety on the flight. It may have been the first time that I heard a pilot remind passengers that "in the event of an emergency, passengers are reminded to leave their cabin baggage behind."

During this entire ordeal, most of the pax were fairly orderly, although there were many pax connecting to Europe and I am sure they missed those as well. The flight attendants in coach were nowhere to be seen (hiding in the galleys) during the delay, while the pilot was very apologetic and offered visits to the cockpit to any takers.