Useless standby with equipment failure (Chicago by night)

This morning while in Chicago, I saw from US Today that American Airlines has stranded 37 flights in Chicago due to FAA regulations of some sort of cabeling checkout specifically on MD-80 planes. Guess what.... that is the main plane type that flies between Dallas and Chicago. I was trying to standby for an earlier flight.... no luck even with my Executive Platinum status. Oh well, I get to be in Dallas around midnight.