Jetone,
A PNR is needed in most long range ops. You've gotta know where you can't go as well as where you can. Mostly we need to know ETP for the engine failure case and the depress case.
Except for areas with airports all over the place, PNR and ETP's are necessary and calculated by the flight planning system for all long haul ops in Charlie Q.
PS We usually check it ourselves too.
