Do you really really think that the police would use your boarding pass as proof of the man's identity, if in case he did something crazy?

There's not a flight that goes by that I don't see a stray boarding pass in a seat pocket, in the aisle, top of the garbage, etc.

Btw, CO and United have not merged. Unless you know something I don't.

Sorry to hear of your woes on United flights. Worse to hear about you and your kids being hungry - I hate those tarmac delays.