Cortney, a few years ago I experienced a very similar experience to Stephanie. I was on a 747 from JFK to LHR and just after take off an engine developed some kind of vibration and the decision was made to return. On landing, we were disembarked and put into a room with insufficient seating for all the passengers, no toilets and no access to phones or water. We were told it was not due to security, but because we had access to duty free, so was a customs rule. After an over 4 hour delay, and some agitation, the rules were relaxed to allow us to go the toilet and eventually the airline deliverd some pizza.
What characterises the handling of these situations is the pisspoor communication by the airline. Long waits are made even worse by the failure to tell people what they are facing. I would have found it more palatable if the airline had simply come and said, we are struggling to find a replacement aircraft and this delay could a last up to 8 hours (which is what it did take). For very long periods there was simply no one there from the airline or to communicate what was happening. You end up feeling like a hostage.
The DOT should require standards to assist passengers in such circumstances. We had nursing mothers, elderly people and young children left for hours without any access to basic amenities. I have every sympathy with the OP... I have experienced this problem and it is not pleasant.
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