Mike, I think you know what to do (or what not to do). Your time is most likely worth much more than the $160.00 in damage.

Have you looked into the option of using a private company for transport? A employee is involved in a few events that requires his bike. While a bit more than having the bike travel with him on United, it was less headache to drop it off at the bike shop a mile away from our office, see it handled by a third party, and then having the ability to pick it up a few days later after his return.

I assume your already aware of this option, but PM me if you would like more details.