Most seem to forget all international flights require Immigration & Custom service before passengers are allowed to deplane. During the 9/11 event passengers waited 3-4hrs before deplaning. I believe servicing a situation like this would be in effect be the so called de-sterilizing of the plane as required by Customs & Immigration.
What Air Transat did was inhumane no doubt about it, most because of costs.
Sorry John, first you can blame Ron (b-grade) Reagan for screwing up, at the time, the World's leading ATC system. Canada went private and now are selling their system world wide and USA has expressed interest in aspects. The crazy thing is North America should be working together for the best ATC system instead of going their own direction. At one point USA & Canada couldn't communicate but that is the past as automation makes the two system blend together almost seamlessly.
Wanna bet? Included in that 'pea brain public are the media!! Public all think they are knowledgeable in aviation but truth be told large majority are neophytes.