Automated rerouting for air travel itineraries

When my flights go wrong I am often appalled at what the computer picks to replace them. I think that last time I had a significant rerouting with United the computer switched me to being stuck for 24 hours in transit at Houston, a fate that I escaped. With Delta this time, last night at JFK the evening's flights to Detroit were canceled then the automated booking moved me to a flight arriving there today at 20h59. After some interaction with the staff I managed to get on the last flight out to Atlanta instead and am now sitting there waiting for a flight that should have me arrive in Detroit at 9h23. Even the staff puzzle me a little: there was some surprise that I was willing to be flown to Atlanta instead of just waiting at JFK. I would certainly like the option to arrive 11½ hours earlier rather than spending that time in transit at an intermediate airport. That kind of choice often seems to require some pushing on my part although as the cancelations were due to weather, not Delta's fault, I did not ask them to explore options with codeshare partners this time. My next connection is at Amsterdam so if that goes wrong then at least there would be fresh stroopwafels to help me pass the time.