This community is generally a wealth of knowledge and information, but boy it can sure be a wealth of terrible misinformation and misplaced judgments.

I hope this doesn't violate the TOC's because it isn't "nice". To be sure, I will add this...

The GA was clearly wrong and you need to push with UA on the IDB. If after speaking with them they won't budge then file a DOT. At this point, what is the hurt?

I have a similar issue happening with a denied EU 261 claim because United said that the maintenance issue couldn't have been predicted and they took all necessary preventative steps. After a week long back and forth I will now go straight to the governing body. Again, at this point, what can it hurt?

Flights pushing early is one thing, but flights pushing early without all ticketed and confirmed passengers on board is something totally different.