jdevine:
I did not read through your whole dissertation here, but I do see some possible violations of one of our regulations, 14 CFR Part 382. As a passenger with a temporary disability, you are entitled to the same assistance as those with permanant ones. As such, as soon as you asked for a wheelchair, one should have met you at your arrival gate, taken you though customs and to your connection gate. It does not seem like this was done. I would suggest that you file a formal written complaint with my office at
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm
I would like to mention a couple of things though
1 - while providing wheelchair assistance from an arrival gate to a connecting gate, carriers are not required to make a stop for food.
2 - carriers are not required to leave a wheelchair with a passenger when they get to the gate, but have to provide a wheelchair to the passenger when a subsequent request is made.
3 - when a passenger is assisted to the gate area, they need to reiterate their need for boarding assistance to the gate agents. Otherwise, those agents don't know who needs assistance.
EDIT:
One more thing, if you decide to procede with a complaint with DOT. Please include your flight information, dates, city pairs and flight numbers.