So interesting to see such contempt for both contract law and the whole due process thing here on FR. (Yes I know this case did not involve due process but the attitude of “he got what was coming to him” certainly hints at such contempt)
The idea that abuse is justified because one dared to balked at being told they must give up something they are very much entitled to by reason of a binding contract is puzzling to me.
Maybe we could refer to this as the Mugabe option.
United Airlines has gotten lazy (and why shouldn't they?). Instead of negotiating for the seats BEFORE THE PASSENGERS ARE ON THE PLANE, United could have done it before boarding. And instead of negotiating with Faux United "vouchers" which are basically Monopoly Money worth about 1/4th of real street value (and can only be used on a limited number of red-eye flights), how about offering real cash plus a later flight? Bet you they'd have gotten some genuine offers instead of having to resort to the forced "computer" bumping. And if they didn't have any takers after the first round of "computer" bumping, have a second round - again, BEFORE BOARDING.