Flying United, Or Not

My wife started a trip to Buenos Aires today, on United Airlines. First leg of the flight was to Newark, NJ. Somehow that flight was behind schedule. I'm not sure why. We had a little precip here, but nothing serious.

She begged the flight attendant to call ahead to the flight to South America to let them know she was coming. Flight attendant refused to do that, saying: they already know you're coming.

Marsha got to the flight to South America - she was there - as the clock ticked to the departure time - and they wouldn't let her board. They shut the door.

She doesn't have her luggage. It's locked up. They gave her a bag of toiletries.

Next flight out - tomorrow, same time. So, it's an exciting 24 hours in Newark.

I don't know why they shut the door in her face.
Maybe they'd put somebody in her place?

UPDATE: She got them to switch her to an American Airlines flight that leaves at 6 or so in the a.m. Needs to be at the gate by 4 or so. Well, that's a big improvement compared to waiting a full 24 hours!