Per Flightaware, this was an E-145. They look like a lawn dart. They do not have adequate heat/AC. If it's winter, you will be cold. In the summer, you will be hot. So, not the plane that was depicted in the article.
These planes are almost 20 yrs old, and are at the end of their service life. They are disposable, no way to overhaul them. And not/never owned by United.
United is taking one bad PR rap after another covering for their low cost "partner" (Contract) carriers. They think this type of operation saves them money BUT time and again they continue to make them look bad.