jimworcs and airhead: Thank you both for your responses and compliments, and I'm glad you found the info useful.
wkharris2001: Thanks for confirming what I already suspected, and "frustrating" is what I would call catching too many red lights on the way home from work; being kept from my destination an additional six hours was nothing less that unethical, self-serving, discriminatory B.S., not unlike bah humbug's response . . .
bah humbug: Thanks for attempting to explain what transpired, however, your bias is glaringly apparent. You obviously did not read (as, IMHO, your status in the industry precludes you from recognizing the truth) the portion of my post where I personally witnessed every "requirement" you mention violated. FYI: Arbitrarily enforcing the "rules" for the benefit of fellow "airline employees" to the detriment of PAYING CUSTOMERS, is bad business and discriminatory, which in this this country, is not not only ignorant and unethical, but illegal.