Overbooking? That's the bs in this story. The airline industry allowed to sell seats they don't have in order protect against "no shows"??
Let's see them try that at a Patriots game.
I don't even understand the legitimacy of the process.
I understand the process...they don't want to fly empty seats. Hotels do the same thing (overbook rooms) to avoid empty beds but they will often "walk" customers to a competing property if everyone shows up and they don't have any more room. (pay for the stay too)
Seems to me a similar procedure could have been utilized in this case with alternate carriers to both accommodate those overbooked passengers, and get that crew to where they needed to be.
I find it hard believe all the other carriers were full and had no extra seats United could pay for to get those folks on their way.