I'm not saying this doesn't happen, but how do they get your photo?

One time I was in the priority check-in line in ZRH, and a concierge walked over and was just greeting everyone. She had no idea I was SE until I asked about another concierge, by name. Then she asked for my name. At that point, she knew I was an SE, and she knew I was flying ZRH-YYZ-SFO without having to look it up.

I've had similar experiences in CPH and HKG.

And I'm not saying that my lack of facial recognition means it never happens, just that it certainly does not always happen.