I've tried creating a few simple layers in maya2011x64 (student) on snow leopard 10.6.5 - the layers palette just doesn't seem to work as it should. Clicking boxes rarely triggers any change, sometimes objects become (in)visible regardless of whether the 'V' shows or not 'T' & 'R' randomly or not until you click off a layer, or change when you click another box??
I know Maya does everything the difficult way, but I just can't follow any logic here.

I've posted a recording to youtube so anyone interested can get a better idea- it's a little funky for the first few seconds, but you'll get the gist. there's no sound but everytime i move to another box I'm clicking it..

YouTube - maya layer bug