How passengers react depends on how they are treated and just because they are at their home port doesn't mean that they should not be looked after.In SYD its not unusual for cab fares to airport to/from home to be in excess of $12O each way so accomodation or taxi fares are not an unreasonable request,particularly if time for new departure is not known.
My experience in LAX is that having dumped us on a through flight to JFK, the ground staff started literally screaming at passengers who after an hour of standing in a static line, asked what was happening.They obviously fancied themselves as military NCOs.Needless to say my complaint to management on return home was far from satisfactory.
End result the airline gets the kind of customers it deserves and the customer loyalty that it deserves.
Wunwing