"If they just raised the offer, then someone would have taken it."
BULLSHIT. They bumped it up several times and no one bit. They hit the top end of the offer scale and at that point, the computer picked four seats. Congrats, you lose.
Also it is my understanding that Dr. Fat Lip got off and then when he ran back on and got in the seat before they got the crew there and on-board.
And this won't cost United a dime. What alternative do people have ?? Take the bus?? Most flights are already full or close to full. There's not a lot of alternatives depending on where you want to fly to. People will bitch, whine and moan, but in the end they'll shut-up and fly.