Booked on a flight from RNO to SFO, then connecting to IAD. Bad winds in RNO delayed the inbound, so I called 1K line and was told I was protected on a later flight that would have allowed me to make the connection. Gate agents in RNO were swamped and asked people to not come to the ticket counter for rebooking untill their name was called. I obeyed, then when my "protected " flight was ready to leave was told that they had no more seats for me. Seems that they rebooked many with connections but did not get to me, and worked the rebookings by connection, not status.

So what does "protected" mean if I don't get the seat on the flight that allows me to make my connection?