Pat: I don't really agree with you, but that's because where I fly, the
planned ERAs are the
only ERAs.
Therefore, I really need to have the planned fuel when I'm in the air, 'cos there are no other options available.
So I think that BC's statement here is absolutely correct:
Unlike many things in fuel policy, Depress Fuel at the crit point is not just a planning requirement, and if you leave without it, or more to the point, arrive at the crit point without it, you are operating outside the requirements of the AOC.