Yes Sam, bothered me too. Could be he should fast, just not a valid reason not to go on an important trip. In any event, R’ Shach used to say over the story, so (besides for the point that he knew the gemara) that gives validity to whatever you can infer from the story – which is what we’re debating.
Other than followers of certain Chasidic Rebbes, I have never heard of anyone who understands da’as Torah to refer to metaphysical inspiration.
A bit silly, if you ask me. I don’t know its extent or who has it, but its def. referred to in all sorts of non-chasidic seforim.
And the story with R’ Zelig has been quoted here plenty. Take his words with a grain of salt, understand the point he was making, and move on. His words do not back up the majority of the “anti-da’as torah concept” posters here.