In this case (with the open time), it's not really screwing anyone over OR costing the company money. The company will have to pay someone to fly it regardless (unless it goes to a reserve, so they're HOPING it stays in open time) and we don't get premium pay unless they say "We're offering premium pay for pick ups on X day." So, really I don't see a problem with it. It's just someone was faster to get to FLiCA than someone else. What they do with the trip is up to them, and the odds of them getting stuck with a trip they didn't really want is pretty likely. If they wind up dropping it, then the other person who wanted it will still have a chance to snag it.
It's not the ideal situation, but the person doing the complaining that they didn't get the trip is about like someone complaining they didn't get the last "Tickle Me Elmo" at Toys R Us around Xmas time.