Here's what I fundamentally do not get. How can it simultaneously be true that:
A) United is somehow right to jam four deadheaders on at the last minute for their own convenience and force an "oversold" situation (even though it doesn't meet the requirements for oversale in their CoC) while
B) United cannot then take the IDB passenger and create an actual oversale situation on the last flight of the evening? In fact, United wouldn't even get him on the first flight of the next morning?
No, United was really trying to screw this guy. No cash, only a voucher, and a terrible reaccomodation flight.
"We're sorry we have to ask you to get off the plane. Here's a check for $500 and you're confirmed on a flight two hours from now" and none of this happens.