Summer of 94, SFO-LAX on UA shuttle. Still remember it well after 6 years so you know how bad it is.
After everyone on board, one engine failed to start. Reboard another plane and then found one cargo door didn't closed properly just before take off. Arrival was 2.5 hrs late and my original 3 hour connection time for my LAX-HKG flight (on CX) became only 30 min.
I asked the purser to let me seat close to the exit door and have ground staff help me with the trasfer. Didn't happen. I went to the UA desk for help after landed and the staff kindly point to the airport shuttle but stop and told me that's how I go to other terminals.
Fortunatly, there is a change in wind direction and the incoming CX plane from HKG was delayed for 2 hrs and the return fligh make up those 2 hrs completely. I still catch the flight and arrive HKG on time.
However, I do swear not to fly UA anymore.