I am not a e-ticket fan either. Often my itinerary includes segments with different StarAlliance-members the same day (typical: first segment LH, than UA).
LH's computers can't deal with UA's e-tickets when I check-in in Zurich - connecting in FRA or MUC - and often again somewhere in the US the same day. And the same problem when flying back: UA's computers can't deal with LH's e-tickets.
[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 07-27-1999).]