one way is to be someone of status within the airline's FF program.
another is to be someone who works for the police or FBI or TSA
Another is to be a pregnant woman
and finally, to get darn lucky.

I have a similar united horror story that nearly caused security to come over but in the end, I paid $2,000 for a new immediate ticket to get on what I was supposed to be on, and in 3 months' time, after much hell and pressing the issue with all parties, I had my money back with appologies and flight vouchers to boot. It sucked though, lemme tell ya. I had to be the tenacious one.

at the airline desk I experienced lies from supervisors and others, and one employee told me "There IS nothing you or we can do sir, this airline is bankrupt anyway!"

yeah I almost lost it.