In general I admire very much the efficiency of US airlines/airports. But regarding check-in, lately, you got way behind the comfort some European airlines/airports offer.

For 'overseas'-departures from Zurich I have a choice of the following: [*]'normal' check-in as everywhere in the world[*]check-in at any time of the day I am departing (UA in N-America limits this to 4 hours before flight)[*]check-in at the airport the night before departure (starting 5PM)[*]if flying SR: check-in at the Swissôtel in Zurich-Oerlikon, until 2 hours before the flight[*]check-in at any of over 60 railway-stations, distributed all over Switzerland 24 hours before departure (until 2 hours before, depending on the distance/rail-connection to the airport) excluded are (for so-called 'safety-reasons') US-carrier flights and El Al. This service is called 'Fly-Rail-Baggage' and costs an extra SFr 20 per piece of luggage checked. The railway-stations do the complete check-in service with seat-assignements, boarding passes, etc. And railways and airlines make a profit out of this!

[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 08-05-2000).]