OK, so the orbiter was in the wrong orbit/inclination to make it to the ISS. What about using the Soyuz docked at the ISS as a ferry between the orbiter and the ISS? It holds 3 bodies so it would have taken 4 trips (with pilot) to get everyone off the orbiter. I've not heard this option discussed at all. The reason you have not heard it discussed is because the Soyuz is basically a "one-trip" lifeboat for the ISS. It can only leave and come down. It, like Columbia, does not have enough fuel to change orbits except to de-orbit and enter the atmosphere.