Couple of things wrong with this statement. First, how do we know that the deadheading crew's inbound flight to ORD wasn't late and they got to the gate just as quickly as they could? Second, major airlines frown heavily on giving up seats on their flights so a crew can work a flight on another carrier. In fact I believe SkyWest got burned for this several years ago for deadheading crews on Delta to support United or vice versa. The fault in this particular situation falls squarely at the feet of United. As far as your second point, I agree wholeheartedly with you. Once you farm something out you lose control of it, totally.