After several iterations in procedures over the years we are now encouraged to consider the "step to" data rather than simply climbing at the behest of the "recommended" or "rec alt" figures, for various reasons.
FWIW according to our books "step to" does a cross over between the measured wind and forecast a few hundred miles ahead and at 500 no put has about a 90/10 bias in favour of the forecast, it doesn't completely ignore current measured wind even beyond the 500 mile point
On the subject, at least in part, I take it you folks are aware of this:
http://www.boeing.com/resources/boei...indupdates.pdf
And the wind updates section of this:
AERO - InFlight Optimization Services Offers Airlines More Fuel-Efficient En-Route Operations