While some of you seem to be bashing the OP, I think you may have missed this snippet...
Originally Posted by
DepartALB
On the flight home there were no seats together in coach but three in economy plus....
My interpretation of this is that he had tried to get three seats together in E- and couldn't. It would be illogical for him to place his wife and 2 children (under 10) in random E- locations so a call to UA for help was in order. I certainly would have done the same thing.
Being berated by phone agents over the situation is unacceptable and should be elevated.
I fully agree with the policy of making non-status passengers pay, but a 2P travelling with small children should have an exception made.