Crazy. Is there a game show like "What will they think of next?" that UA execs could appear on. Maybe they'd win enough to save the airline.
A couple of posters have suggested that 1 bag is more than enough. I generally agree, but when I have more than one bag/ticket the second is usually golf clubs or a pack-n-play for the kid to sleep in. $50 (RT) is a pretty high premium to take some insurance for when the Hilton "cannot guarantee" the requested crib will be available.
As another poster said, I'll be a lot of ma and pa kettles pay this fee once, and that will be the last time they fly UA. Airlines have to fill the front, AND the back, to make money these days.