I also think the data is fed to the screens at the airport and to automated voice system and perhaps the web only every 15 minutes....at least that is what I was told by several UA reservation agents when I 've asked in the past.

I find it troubling that there are so many statements about UA personnel LYING. My experience is that the staff at UA and other carriers and in other occupations rely on the information presented to them through the sources most accessible, i.e. Apollo. and if they don't have a reason, they infer one from past experience, such as LAX SFO being late due to weather. It may not make us happy, but I don't think I'd call it lying. Having said that, I wasn't there to see the look on the face of the individual.