maybe they got some new crew for some flights but not all? dunno. a lot of begging by management to help out in a bind. today was most clearly a bind!!
agreed with above, perhaps able to get new crew for 840, but not for 826.
with a 3 or 5 hr delay, each of those US/Canada flights would have needed a new crew (cockpit & cabin). It is no secret that they are short of crew, especially on the 777, so no doubt the phones would have been ringing nonstop calling G-dayers for help. I also hope that no one used discretion.
Shame on any of you that agreed to help them out. That is what reserve is for. If they don't have enough reserve coverage, then we don't have enough crew. This was a perfect opportunity to send that message to the 10th floor (I think that's where the boardroom is, please correct me if I'm wrong)