uf,
You should be an aviation journalist ... you have the knack, and the same level of accuracy with the facts. Whilst I'm sure the experience was frustrating, the crew at least did the right thing by you - I doubt they had much fun either.
From what I could gather, United looked after you.
N
(N is grumpy after working all night out of his preferred time-zone. His tolerance for ignorant whining is very low right now.)