Nothing is ever 100% free of defect. There is no way they can account for all of the different internet router and security settings for every single person. So of course there are going to be bugs that need to be worked out.
You are in the minority, most of us are surfing the net on Wi-Fi without a problem. Apple didn't mess up the update, there are just a small amount of people having a problem that needs to be worked out.
You say THOUSANDS of people are having this problem, even assuming the max of the term "thousands" at 999,999 (which is a gross overestimate) of the 6 million or more iPads sold, that is still a small minority. It sucks that you are having problems and I hope you get them worked out, but most of us are happy.
Plain and simple.
edit:
Let me say this in a more polite manner. You are getting ready to "jump ship" over an update that YOU are having problems with. The problem WILL get worked out, you are coming up with a permanent solution to a temporary problem. That's the same thing they say about suicide. Wait it out a little longer, do some active research (I'm sure you already have been though) and keep trying different proposed solutions, the problem will get solved. Or you could just go get the Samsung Galaxy Tab, which a larger percentage of people are having problems with compared to the iPad.