Since it is my dime, I decided to look at alternate connections. I can take a train to MXP and take a few other options for about $2400 vs the $5000 from ZRH, so that will easily pay for a night in a hotel and train tix (granted my time ain't free!).
New options include:
(1) Alitalia (MXP - FCO - BOS) on 333 flat bed