I'm not sure this is necessarily UA's fault, or rather UA being forced to respond when a couple of jerks (i.e. read the GSer and his paid F friends) didn't manage to pull the seat switch that they wanted to.

I just find it odd that the parties that had a 'problem' with the OP were those that wanted to pull the seat switch - and kudos to the OP for holding his ground, Row 1 on the 75 is awful!

Absolutely terrible that the OP had to go through the experience, but truly SHAMEFUL of those that were likely trying to pull a fast one.