Thanks for the input.
And - I don't really need a primer on the contract of carriage, particularly when it's delivered with such a condescending tone.
To be clear, my understanding is that UA screwed up his first flight. That resulted in involuntary re-booking. Yes, I understand that he *could* have taken a later flight, but that would have (more than likely) screwed up the IAD-Europe leg of his trip. So yes, he "voluntarily" chose that EC seat. But that still does not change my mind that it was INCREDIBLY poor form for the pilot to take that FC seat when the entire flight crew knew the story of what happened to this guy.
Look, I am a business owner. I understand how important it is to follow through on employee committments. But I also know just how crucial it is follow through on customer satisfaction and loyalty.
And in this case, UA dropped the ball.