"Even in the middle of the pacific, you must have enough fuel to do the emergency descent, enough Oxy for the descent and a bit longer between FL 140 and 100, and make it to your intermediate/emergency aerodrome. ETOPS, FANS and A380 haven't changed this basic rule of proper flt planning."
Bit of a misconception here. The requirement is to have enough fuel to reach an alternate after a loss of a single system, for example an engine failure. There is no requirement to be able to reach an alternate following multiple failures, for example a wheelwell fire followed by a hydraulic failure which would leave the gear extended, or a total loss of pressurisation followed by a rapid descent to FL100. Of course in the latter case the experienced pilot might consider shutting down an engine to increase his range .....