My question was wondering why UA would market a "direct" flight that requires a change of gauge, followed two hours later by an itinerary with a connection using the same aircraft as the first flight. That assumes UA wants to show a EWR-SMF direct flight at the top of the flight search listing. I think if that if you have to get off the plane, it shouldn't be marketed as direct (not counting international flights, like ORD-HKG-SIN).