I am not conservative (nothing with politics), but when it comes to flying, I stick to my habits and always request a ticket, although I have to pay extra.
Lately I feel pressured either by the travel agents or the airlines who almost insist on E-tickets.
My typical itineraries are:
ZRH-DXB-SYD-CNS
ZRH-LGW/LHR-ATL, etc.
How do they really work? What happens when one wants to change flight or even under way, add a destination or stopover?
What happens in case of missing a flight?
I have to add that all my tickets are unrestricted and fully flexible, mostly in F.
I am sure, all this has already been answered somewhere but I am not too good at searching.
Would some of you be kind enough to enlighten me and advise if I should stick to my old habits or go "modern"?
Thank you.

As far as how they work, all you need is to present your E-ticket receipt (which should be provided to you by your TA or the carrier) as well as a personal ID upon check-in. If the carrier has a kiosk for self check-in, all you have to do is insert your credit card that you used to purchase your ticket and the machine will automatically print our your boarding pass. As far as changing flights go, it varies from carrier to carrier, routing to routing, fare rules to fare rules, etc.

I personally have found E-tickets to be more convenient and cheaper (no additional fees as oppose to a traditional paper ticket and no need to pay for the shipment of paper tickets).

I purchased the most recent e-ticket in Thailand on Lufthansa from my travel agent in Pattaya, Thailand for a business class flight BKK to LEJ and return to BKK. The **Electronic Ticket** and itinerary were printed by travel agent (from web site/internet).

You have a Reservation Number on the ticket, I have changed flights 2 times already, just called Lufthansa gave them the Reservation Number and changed flights.

Have also purchased from UA (web site) for flights from LEJ to TPA. Also flights to from Asia ~ NRT to TPA all no problem.

I use e-tickets from Jet Blue and UA when I am home in US ~ no problem

You can feel confortable with an eticket. I travel both domestic and international and have not had a paper ticket in years.
you don't need anything except ID to get a bording pass not even the e receipt issed to you. ( I know this because I have misplaced my receipt several times and it was never a problem ) So feel free and at lease try it.