Darn. I like doing edges and ending techniques in turned out passes or coupes behind the knee or ankle, but they don't seem to be used often and I'm always being told to turn in. I haven't been able to figure out if that's an issue of proper technique, easier technique for beginners, tradition, or what, but what you say makes sense.
Skating is a turned in sport. Usually when coaches say turn out, they mean from the toe, not the hip. When doing edges and field moves turn out can look really nice, but it's a killer in spins and jumps. Free skate you definitely want to be turned in or parallel at the very least. Being turned out when spinning at the speeds required to pull of spins and jumps increases the forces that are trying to pull your body from the tight rotation position.