Here's a great article about the "between the lines" of this incident written by a pilot's wife

https://thepilotwifelife.wordpress.c...t-flight-3411/

While the action of the security team (who were NOT United employees BTW) seem extreme, the article does help explain what led to it.

I admit to being a bit of an apologist for United. I just received my million mile card from them. Rob, I understand the anger and the whole "evil corporation" thing, but I just don't see United as evil. They completely botched the PR in this incidence, but to be honest, if I were to protest a corporation for wrong-doing, there would be several other companies in line before United.

(But, in line with the topic, I signed up for the Climate March on Washington on April 29 and I'm looking forward to it, and I'm glad they won't be checking my credentials for my in-flight carbon footprint because I might get hung from the Washington monument.)