An ETP is only relevant in ETOPs or similar operations. Over Europe, I can't fathom why you'd bother/what value it adds. It's just a distraction and would reduce your SA as you'd probably never bother looking at what suitable airports are around you!
The ETP is important in ETOPs planning (usually the last ETP on a route, if more than one exist, has a fuel requirement associated with it - the Critical Fuel Requirement. We must have enough fuel at this point, on our airfraft type, to depressurise and fly to a suitable alternate, in the prevailing weather, at 10,000', with enough for 15 minutes holding at 1500' overhead).
It's also useful in the air - it gives you an awareness of whether you're carry-on-minded or turn-back-minded in a time-critical scenario over lots of water. We put the lat/long as a 'floating waypoint' on the end of the route so it displays on the ND/HSI.
aerobat77,
A proper ETP, rather than just a 'halfway point' will take in to account the wind.
Hey Denti,
Isn't there a predicted ETA line on your fix pages to put times in? I'm surprised - thought the 737 and 757 FMCs shared a lot of commonality. We don't get the 1-click weather reports though - very decadent!
Cheers!
B&S