UA management and those who defend it here really seem to believe that UA should be doing better.

Like, "how is that jerk Richard Anderson beating us? We have the network. We have the 787."

It's an organization with narcissistic personality disorder. Unable to see its flaws, unable to honestly self-assess. Can't accept responsibility, instead blames its woes on circumstances (weather, etc.) and the inexplicably poor decision-making of pax who choose to fly OALs.