Offered purely as punctuation in this fascinating exchange of opposing views, and apologies if it has already been mentioned without me spotting it. Surely it is possible that the reason for the so-called "delay" (not the decision to do so) of five to six hours in offloading the Purser was to ensure that she was safely landed at the first US airport that was more or less en route, and with the prospect of a quick onward flight to ORD, rather than leaving her stranded at a foreign airport without proper back-up?
Well that kind of consideration sorta undermines any 'imminent security threat' rationale used to justify offloading her doesn't it? Which brings us back to our self styled Queeg deciding to institute summary punishment for some perceived slight, with no consideration for the disruption caused to pax, UAL or anyone else involved.
And, he had 5 hours to calm down and talk himself out of it, yet still went ahead with it!
No way to manage a crew or run an airline.
Just my 0.02c