Even last year in Zurich (on a Continental flight to EWR), the pre-checkin security person looked at me like I was from Mars when I said I had an electronic ticket. She walked over and had what seemed like a ten-minute chat with her supervisor, then came back and asked me the standard security questions.

The person behind me in line also had an electronic ticket. She gave him the same completely puzzled look--the expression really suggested that it was the first time she had ever heard of such a thing--and went for another very long consulation with the supervisor. I guess this happened every time.

The Swiss are known for being highly efficient workers. Maybe this was just a bad day.