I am not suggesting the guy did this for financial gain but he played it just right. This could be a million plus payout.
More ranting:
I'm not a lawyer but I see the ticket as being a contract. His ass was in the seat provided by the contract. United failed to plan and decided to spontaneously change the terms of the contract. United could have solved the problem in other ways. Weather delays and crew placement is not a new problem and should be handled better. Delays are not handled better because United chooses to screw their customers instead. United calls the cops to enforce their breach of contract. The cops use excessive force on a person who did not commit a crime. Based on these practices, this could have been any passenger on any flight. Most passengers are too complacent to make a stand. I applaud this man for standing up to United and their business practices.
Cliff Notes:
The customer paid for the seat and his ass was in the seat which he paid for. The customer was not a terrorist and didn't cause a problem until United arbitrarily decided to throw him off to make room for United employees. I will not accept this and will fight with the only method I have. $ and my employers $$$. FUCK UNITED AIRLINES!
Pro Tip for United - If you need get more employees on a flight, give them oxygen masks and a sleeping back and throw them in the cargo hold. You already have the passenger compartment filled like a can of sardines.