B.S. He paid for his ticket. Period. United screwed up, not the passenger.
I agree: I call BS by the airline, and further, I suspect the UAL ground manager was 45 year old non-male.....I had a similar experience a few years ago....I arrive at the airport in plenty of time, no baggage to check proceed to the gate, still a hour before the flight, check in with the gate staff, assigned a seat, so I sit and wait, flight is called and I take my time, no rush as I have an assigned seat, however the gate agent, said sorry the plane is full....I could not believe what i heard and I had a court case at the destination, however the airline said f off take the next flight!!